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The Famed Animals of South America
- By Bobby Castro
- Published 01/4/2012
- Destinations
- Unrated
Bobby Castro
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The Famed Animals of South America
South America is well known to have a wide and diverse animal life in its many jungles and wildlife preserves. The following are the most well known dangerous animals in the continent and these are what you should avoid when going into the bush for an adventure.
1. The Anaconda. Found in the jungles of Brazil and all along the Amazon river, this constrictor snake can reach between twenty to forty feet long and weigh in as much as 500 lbs. On land, it can travel as fast as 3 mph while it can travel much faster in water. They feed on fish, birds, tapir, crocodiles, jaguars or other mammals or animals. When encountering one, it is best to outrun them as once they wrap around you would mean grave danger for you as they are too strong for you to escape. These reptiles are also the only known animals that kill even when full, even regurgitating previously eaten prey when finding new prey.
2. The Blue Poison Dart Frog. This amphibian is found in indigenous South America and has long known to be the source of toxins for many local tribes located along the Amazon. It feeds on insects and can be seen because of its bright blue skin color. When encountering one in the wild, it is best to avoid touching them as their skin is coated with one of the world's most toxic poisons that can result in death within the hour upon skin contact.
3. The Electric Eel. This fish is found in the Orinco and Amazon rivers and can measure at full growth between four and six feet long. It can weigh in at 45 lbs and swim at a speed between five and ten mph. They feed on fish, crabs, eggs and birds. These fish are able to produce nearly 500 volts of electricity underwater, enough to incapacitate or kill a human underwater. Do avoid murky calm waters when swimming, as these fish are known to hunt and reside in these areas.
4. The Jaguar. This wild carnivorous cat is found in South America and is known to feed on all kinds of mammals and animals it can hunt down and kill. When encountering this animal in its natural habitat, you need to stand bigger than you are and make lots of noise to intimidate the animal. Similar to other wild cats, they fight when cornered or attack when confronted or when trying to escape them.
5. The Piranha. This fish are found in shallow waters in South America and are known to have razor sharp teeth and voracious appetites for flesh despite their diminutive size. There are many kinds of piranha but the most aggressive ones are the red bellied piranhas that can measure just twelve inches long. They are often found in schools and have been known to attack humans aside from feeding on insects, fish, worms, crabs and other mammals they come across in the water.
1. The Anaconda. Found in the jungles of Brazil and all along the Amazon river, this constrictor snake can reach between twenty to forty feet long and weigh in as much as 500 lbs. On land, it can travel as fast as 3 mph while it can travel much faster in water. They feed on fish, birds, tapir, crocodiles, jaguars or other mammals or animals. When encountering one, it is best to outrun them as once they wrap around you would mean grave danger for you as they are too strong for you to escape. These reptiles are also the only known animals that kill even when full, even regurgitating previously eaten prey when finding new prey.
2. The Blue Poison Dart Frog. This amphibian is found in indigenous South America and has long known to be the source of toxins for many local tribes located along the Amazon. It feeds on insects and can be seen because of its bright blue skin color. When encountering one in the wild, it is best to avoid touching them as their skin is coated with one of the world's most toxic poisons that can result in death within the hour upon skin contact.
3. The Electric Eel. This fish is found in the Orinco and Amazon rivers and can measure at full growth between four and six feet long. It can weigh in at 45 lbs and swim at a speed between five and ten mph. They feed on fish, crabs, eggs and birds. These fish are able to produce nearly 500 volts of electricity underwater, enough to incapacitate or kill a human underwater. Do avoid murky calm waters when swimming, as these fish are known to hunt and reside in these areas.
4. The Jaguar. This wild carnivorous cat is found in South America and is known to feed on all kinds of mammals and animals it can hunt down and kill. When encountering this animal in its natural habitat, you need to stand bigger than you are and make lots of noise to intimidate the animal. Similar to other wild cats, they fight when cornered or attack when confronted or when trying to escape them.
5. The Piranha. This fish are found in shallow waters in South America and are known to have razor sharp teeth and voracious appetites for flesh despite their diminutive size. There are many kinds of piranha but the most aggressive ones are the red bellied piranhas that can measure just twelve inches long. They are often found in schools and have been known to attack humans aside from feeding on insects, fish, worms, crabs and other mammals they come across in the water.