The Flora and Fauna of the Amazon Rainforest (2 minute read)

The biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest is absolutely staggering. It’s 5.5 million km² covers 40% of South America and nine countries. It contains nearly 10% of all known wildlife species with new discoveries being made on average every three days. Amazonian tribes who have never been contacted are still being found in the very depths of the rainforest. It plays a critical part in stabilising the world’s climate and regulating global and regional carbon and water cycles. The weird wonderful, and sometimes dangerous, species of the Amazon are endlessly fascinating. To celebrate this vitally important cog of the planet’s biosphere, we’ve taken a look at the flora and fauna of this astonishing rainforest.

There are many suspension bridges constructed throughout the Amazon so explorers can experience the rainforest at canopy level. The wildlife in the surrounding area of these man-made constructions make themselves at home, such as this many-banded aracari. Photo credit: Aluarts

Primates are one of the most threatened mammal species in the Amazon. The rainforest has more species of primate than anywhere else on Earth with over 100. One of the most common species is the spider monkey. They are incredibly sociable animals, hanging out in troops of 40 to 50 monkeys. Photo credit: Chi Hang Ong

Hummingbirds have some amazing and unique skills such as being the only bird that can fly backwards, sideways and even upside down. With heart beats reaching 1,260 per minute, they rely on a high calorie diet of nectar for energy. Photo credit: Billtacular

The Amazon River is the largest drainage system in the world, measuring 4,000 miles and weaving through Brazil, Peru and Colombia to the Atlantic Ocean. It holds more than 3,000 species of fish, including piranhas, and the intriguing pink dolphin. Photo credit: Andrew Eadie

There are around 3,600 species of spiders crawling through the Amazon including different types of tarantula, jumping spider and even a terrifying sounding Goliath birdeating spider. All eight species of the Brazilian wandering spider are highly aggressive and they are thought to be the venomous spiders in the rainforest. Photo credit: Andreas Kay

There are over 1,300 species of birds in the Amazon and one of the most iconic of the area is the green-winged macaw. With a full wingspan of up to four feet, this bird is known as the ‘gentle giant’ and are frequently seen in family groups of up to 12 birds. Photo credit: Nguyen Ngoc Chinh

The Amazon holds the largest and more biodiverse selection of trees in the world, with an estimated 390 billion individual trees divided into 16,000 species. Photo credit: Aluarts

This aerial photo, taken by Tim Peake from high up in space, perfectly demonstrates the twisting and turning nature of the Amazon River. Photo credit: Tim Peake

Arrow frogs are some of the most toxic animals on Earth. Their name derives from their poison being used by indigenous tribes to tip their blowgun darts. Their poisonous attributes vary from frog to frog, and while some aren’t toxic at all others are lethal to touch and have enough poison to kill 10 men. Photo credit: Casey Myers

Overnight stays in the incredible Amazon Rainforest are included on a number of our Peru group tours.