River Amazon Animals Facts

About 2 500 fish species have been found within the amazon system but many more remain unidentified.
River amazon animals facts. Amazon river is the prime habitat of the boto which is the largest species of river dolphin and is also known as the amazon river dolphin. Melanosuchus niger is a large crocodilian that lives in the amazon basin s slow moving rivers and lakes. Anacondas lurk in the shallow waters of the amazon basin they are one of the largest snakes in the world and occasionally attack larger animals such as goats that get to close the water. One of the rarest and most endangered amazon river animals is the boto a dolphin whose skin is so thin it can appear grey or pink hence its nickname pink river dolphin depending on how excited it gets and how much its blood vessels expand.
The amazon river dolphin is a freshwater dolphin that lives in the rivers of the amazon. The green anaconda or eunecetes murinus is the largest and heaviest snake in the world although it is not. Among the more important commercial species are the pirarucu one of the world s largest freshwater fish and various giant catfish. They can grow up to six meters 20 feet long with bigger heavier skulls than nile crocodiles and are the apex predator in the amazonian waters.
The arapaima are gigantic carnivorous fish living in south america s amazon and essequibo basins. A list of animals in the amazon rainforest amazon pink river dolphin. One of the largest freshwater fish in the world the arapaima pirarucu or paiche can grow up to 15 feet in. That means they are basically the kings of the river they eat nearly anything they can get their teeth into including piranhas monkeys perch deer and anaconda.
The semiaquatic capybara the largest rodent in the world weighing up to 170 pounds 80 kg. What animals live in the amazon river. What animals live in the amazon river. 10 amazing amazon river animals anaconda.
Other common rodents are the paca agouti porcupine and local species of squirrels rats and mice. And the nutria or coypu valued especially for its pelt. The amazonian manatee also known as seacow is found in the northern amazon river basin and its tributaries. There are over 3000 known species of fish that live in the amazon river with more constantly being discovered.