# Travel >> Destinations >> Mexico

Native Wildlife Species of Brazil: A Biodiversity Showcase

Brazil hosts the planet's highest biodiversity, spanning the Amazon rainforest, Pantanal wetlands, Cerrado savanna, Atlantic Forest, and Caatinga drylands. Here's a curated list of iconic native species by class:

Mammals

Jaguar (Panthera onca) – Apex predator, Amazon/Pantanal
Giant Armadillo (Priodontes maximus) – Largest armadillo, vulnerable
Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) – World's largest rodent, social, semi-aquatic
Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) – Specialized insectivore
Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) – Long-legged canid of the Cerrado
Brown Brocket Deer (Mazama gouazoubira) – Small forest deer
Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) – Arboreal anteater
Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) – Widespread, adaptable

Birds

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) – Brilliant red/yellow/blue parrot
Toucan (family Ramphastidae) – Iconic large bill, several species
Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola) – Bright orange, lekking displays
Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) – Largest flying parrot, endangered
Great Tinamou (Tinamus major) – Ground-dwelling, haunting call
Bare-faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata) – Large, crested forest bird
Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) – "Stinkbird," unique digestive system
Rufous-headed Woodpecker (Celeus spectabilis) – Atlantic Forest endemic

Reptiles

Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) – Heaviest snake, aquatic
Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) – Large crocodilian, apex predator
Brazilian Rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus) – Venomous pit viper
Yellow-spotted River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) – Amazon river turtle
Red-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) – Popular pet, wild populations declining
Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) – Common, adaptable
Common Iguana (Iguana iguana) – Large arboreal lizard

Amphibians

Brazilian Giant Toad (Rhinella marina) – Invasive elsewhere, native here
Golden Poison Frog (Phyllobates terribilis) – Among most toxic animals
Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas) – Iconic, not endemic but present
Brazilian Torrent Frog (Hylodes uai) – Endemic to Atlantic Forest streams
Glass Frog (Nymphargus armatus) – Transparent ventral skin

Fish

Arapaima/Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) – Giant air-breathing fish
Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) – Fruit-eating, important aquaculture species
Black Ghost Knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons) – Electric field navigation
Discus Fish (Symphysodon discus) – Brilliant colors, aquarium favorite
Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) – Neon blue/red, blackwater streams
Rummy Nose Tetra (Hemigrammus bleheri) – Distinctive red head