The golden lion tamarin is a small primate native to the coastal rainforests of Brazil. Golden lion tamarins average 8 to 10 inches in body length with another 13 inches in tail length. They are characterized by their golden-red fur and manes that frame their faces like a lion. The golden lion tamarin is most active during the day and feeds on plants, insects, fruit and lizards. Golden lion tamarins live in small family groups located in the trees 10 to 30 feet off the forest floor. The golden lion tamarin is an endangered species as of the early 21st century; however, its population numbers have slowly been growing. Poachers hunt the tamarins for their skins, while loggers cut down the their homes to make way for plantations and other developments.
Maned three-toed sloths are native to Brazil and can be found almost exclusively within the Brazilian Amazon's coastal rainforests. Maned three-toed sloths are solitary creatures that live in the trees of the rainforest, eating sticks and leaves. These sloths hardly leave the safety of their trees because they cannot walk and have extreme difficulty moving along the forest floor. Maned three-toed sloths are characterized as having small eyes, ears and heads with long dark fur covering their body. Algae and insects live and grow in the sloths' fur. Maned three-toed sloths are an endangered species whose population is on the decline. They are losing their homes to deforestation for resources and development and are also hunted for food and sport.
The Amazon River dolphin is commonly referred to as a boto or a pink river dolphin. They are typically pink in color and can weigh up to 400 lbs. and grow to be as long as 8.5 feet. Unlike ocean dolphins, which travel in family groups, river dolphins are solitary creatures typically found only in pairs as a mother and calf. River dolphins feed on fish, crabs and turtles. According to Animal Info, Amazon River dolphins are found in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Guyana. The Amazon River dolphin is at risk of becoming endangered because of deforestation, pollution and fishing.
