Animals of the Amazon River

Fish

• Arapaima – Up to 10 ft, 400+ lbs; air-breathing giant.
• Electric Eel – 600-volt shocks for hunting/defense.
• Red-bellied Piranha – Sharp teeth; mostly frugivorous/scavengers.
• Giant Catfish (Piraíba) – 10+ ft, hundreds of lbs.

Mammals

• Amazon River Dolphin (Boto) – Pink, flexible neck, echolocation.
• Giant Otter – 6 ft, social, apex predator.
• Amazonian Manatee – Herbivorous, freshwater.
• Capybara – World's largest rodent; semi-aquatic.

Reptiles

• Green Anaconda – Heaviest snake; 20+ ft.
• Spectacled Caiman – Common crocodilian.
• Black Caiman – Up to 15 ft; top predator.
• Yellow-spotted River Turtle – Large freshwater turtle.

Birds

• Scarlet Macaw – Brilliant red/blue/yellow.
• Harpy Eagle – Powerful raptor; hunts monkeys/sloths.
• Toco Toucan – Iconic oversized bill.
• Amazon Kingfisher – Dives for fish.

Biodiversity Note

The Amazon Basin hosts ~10% of Earth's known species; this list barely scratches the surface.