Archive for the ‘Wildlife Top 10’ Category:
Written on November 16th, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
As we enter November we can officially say that what started as an exceptional season for wildlife spotting has certainly continued in the same way. Highlights have included a large number of Ringed Kingfishers, Black-collared Hawks, Scarlet and Blue and Yellow Macaws. A Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Lettered Aracari, several Yellow-billed Terns and a Giant River Otter have also made appearances within the past few weeks.
The high number of bird species spotted is in part due to good fortune, but also because we had the pleasure of welcoming two ornithologists on board who really decided to make the most of their cruise.
Their early morning outings and keen eyes were rewarded by identifying a total of 172 species during their seven day cruise! This really is an exceptional number and goes some way towards reflecting the variety and diversity constantly present along the Peruvian Amazon.
We challenge you to grab your wildlife checklist, join us aboard and beat their total.
Written on October 28th, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
Aqua Expeditions’ guests have enjoyed a wonderful month of wildlife spotting so far. The exceptionally high river levels along the Peruvian Amazon has meant we have been able to get even deeper into the rainforest and closer to some of the rarest wildlife. The area is bursting with scores of frogs, more than 1000 species of birds and a host of monkeys including squirrel, capuchin, monk saki and red howler monkeys and a symphonic soundtrack of one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions.
Alongside some of the forest’s most common sightings we have been even more fortunate to enjoy breakfast on board whilst being entertained by the pink river dolphins and on one lucky occasion we caught a rare sighting of the Harpy Eagle, which is considered by Aqua Expeditions’ expert guide, Juan Tejanda as one of the Top Ten Amazon Wildlife sightings. These stunning birds usually live deep in the densest past of the rainforest so the spectacle was even more exciting.
This rare and endangered species is the largest Eagle in the Americas and the second largest Eagle in the world. These vast birds, which can weigh up to twenty pounds, are recognised by their crest of upwards pointing feathers. They like to dine on monkeys and sloths, as well as green iguanas, snakes, and other birds. Their wings, which are smaller than other similar sized birds, enable them to penetrate deep into the dense foliage of the rainforest to capture their prey.
Written on February 22nd, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
1: Pink Dolphin. I feel sure that this is probably first on most Amazon biologists’ lists, our incredible pink dolphins. We don’t have to worry about protecting them poachers, because the river people rarely hunt them. They believe that the pink dolphins possess extraordinary power. One example: If a young woman becomes pregnant, and the father is unknown, the pregnancy is often blamed on a nocturnal liaison with a pink dolphin . . . or as we call them . . . a boto. The local people believe that the dolphin has lured the lady into the water for illicit porpoises.
Written on February 16th, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
2: The little but very mighty piranha. People come to the Amazon expecting to see a monstrously large fish. In fact, the largest piranha is about two feet long, and most are considerably smaller. Yet they earn their reputation. Their powerful jaws and razor sharp triangular teeth enable one small fish to kill a cow. There are many types of piranha . . . in some areas the piranha never bite people. In other areas they may. However, there is no verified report of any human ever being killed by one of these sharp-toothed fish. That only happens in Hollywood.
Written on January 6th, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
4: Sloth. These animals completely live up to their name . . . they truly are sluggish and lethargic. The good news is that when visitors to the Amazon spot one – with the help of their naturalist guide – they have lots of time to watch the slothful behavior. These animals move veeeeeery slowly. In fact, they only ever come to the ground to urinate and defecate, and they only do that about once a week. They don’t travel to do it, they dig a small depression right at the base of the tree where they live. It takes them about half an hour, start to finish, including time to dig the depression, do the job, and then cover their excrement. Then they slooooooooooooowly make their way home again.
Written on January 3rd, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
4: Anaconda. This is one frightening-looking snake, primarily because it is the largest snake in the world. People are often surprised to learn that anacondas don’t have any venom. They don’t need any. An anaconda simply wraps itself around its prey, which may be another reptile, bird, or even a mammal. It lifts its prey above the ground, squeezes it hard, and then swallows it whole, usually starting with the head. That, needless to say, creates a big bulge in the anaconda’s silhouette. Visitors to the Amazon may see anacondas in the river, typically with only their heads above the water’s surface.
Written on December 17th, 2010 by admin_aquano shouts
7: Camu Camu: Biologists don’t just deal with animals, birds, and reptiles, of course. We also deal with plants and trees. And a couple of them have featured positions on my Top Ten List as well. Fifth on my “Top Ten” list is the camu camu, or Myrciaria dubia, which is becoming so well known that you may have already heard about it. Camu camu grows wild in the alluvial Amazon soil that is flooded during the high water season. What makes it so important, however, is that it contains an extraordinarily high concentration of Vitamin C . . . almost one thousand times more than you would find in orange pulp. This high level of Vitamin C, not surprisingly, makes camu camu of great interest to agribusiness. But there’s more: Brewing the camu camu bark and stem into a tea also results in a very effective treatment for diabetes.
Below, Aqua Expeditions’ Camu Camu Sour. You’re going to have to visit us to taste one!
Written on December 14th, 2010 by admin_aquano shouts
6: The ceiba. Looking at the world from a botanical perspective, number six on the Top Ten List is the ceiba of the Peruvian Amazon. This tree has many aliases as well. It is also called the lupuna, the cotton of Java, the kapok, or the tree of silk-cotton. It is believed to have been a sacred symbol in Mayan mythology, and you can still find a ceiba tree planted in the center of many local communities. Some of the local people of the Amazon still worship this beautiful tree, as they believe that it is home to some of the gods of the forest.
Written on October 21st, 2010 by admin_aquano shouts
7: Capibara. Okay, now let’s talk about rodents. More specifically, let’s talk about number seven on the Top Ten List, the largest living rodent in the world: the Capibara, which in the local Guarani language means “master of the grasses.” In Peru, we also call these critters ronsoco. They are close relatives of chinchillas and guinea pigs, as well as of agouti and coyphillas. Its scientific name, hydrochaeris, is Greek for “water hog.” If were capybaras, we’d prefer to stick with “master of the grasses.”
Written on October 19th, 2010 by admin_aquano shouts
8: The Harpy Eagle, is the second largest eagle in the world, and one of the most powerful predators in the Amazon. The female harpy eagle is larger than the male, measuring over three feet, with a wing span of six-and-a-half feet, and weighing 20 pounds. The males have a smaller wing span and weigh about 17 ½ pounds. These enormous birds have a crest of erectile feathers on their heads, powerful beaks and claws, and can live as long as 40 years. They like to dine on monkeys and sloths, as well as on green iguanas, snakes, and other birds. Despite their size, they are able to penetrate deep into the densest jungle to capture their prey and can take flight carrying three times their own weight in captured prey.
Photo: Walter Mancilla Huaman
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