Animals of South America. Description and characteristics of animals of South America. Geography of South America: geology, climate, deserts, reservoirs, natural resources and ecology Desert climate of South America

Deserts in South America occupy small areas and are located in the coastal strip of Chile and Peru, as well as along the southeastern coast of the Patagonian Plateau in Argentina. The Peruvian-Chilean deserts (Atacama, Sechura), located approximately between 4 and 29 south latitudes, stretch for more than 3 thousand km and occupy 1.3 of the Pacific coast. The formation of the Peruvian-Chilean deserts is due to the following factories. The South Pacific High causes a constant current of wind towards the coast. In the eastern part of this anticyclone, very strong winds blow, which causes a noticeable temperature inversion at altitudes from 300 to 1500 m above sea level. The air over this inversion zone is dry, and as a result of this dryness and territorial inversion, the amount of precipitation is very small. Cold Peruvian Current Pacific Ocean. This current explains the temperature inversion in the atmosphere. Air in contact with water cools faster than at high altitudes. An anomaly is created: a thick layer of cold air is located below the warm layers. At an altitude of 3000 to 9000 m, a thick layer of clouds, up to 400 m thick, is formed, which prevents the warming of the surface layers of the atmosphere. Moisture in the air condenses over northern Chile and central part 500 km long Peruvian coastline, where dense fogs form. Fogs, in turn, reduce solar radiation and water evaporation is reduced, especially in the winter months. The Andes are a powerful barrier to the movement of air masses that form over the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

The narrow coastal deserts of Peru and Chile form an elongated corridor stretching from north to south, sandwiched between the coasts of the Pacific Ocean and the giant wall of the majestic Andean ranges. The relief of the coastal strip and the western slope of the Andes is extremely complex. In the Peruvian-Chilean deserts, wind activity has become widespread. Aeolian landforms are represented mainly by single dunes (dunes) and their chains. The soil cover of the Peruvian coastal deserts consists of alluvial soils (5%), lithogenic soils (65%), stony soils (25%), red desert soils and black clayey soils (5%). All these soils are usually thin and low in humus. In the deserts of Chile, there are mainly 3 types of soils: skeletal soils of mountains and plains, modern alluvial soils of temporary stream beds and other nitrogen soils.

Atacama Desert- the largest of the deserts located in the zone of the closest deserts of the South American continent [Fig. 15.] It is a vast highland, gradually rising from 300 m on the Pacific coast to 9500 m at the foot of the Andes.

Fig. 15.

On the coast average temperature January up to 20, July - up to 15, in Atacama, respectively, slightly higher - plus 22 and lower - plus 11. Precipitation does not fall annually, and its total ranges from 10 to 50 mm per year. A narrow strip of coastal desert receives some moisture from thick fog. There are areas in the desert where precipitation has never been recorded. On the slopes of the coastal ridges, people collect water from the fog. The soils are poorly developed (salt crusts, etc.). The distribution of plant associations by height and distance from the coast is determined by humidity conditions, which depend not on precipitation in the form of rain, but on the intensity and frequency of fogs. From the coast to heights of 200 m above sea level, fog forms only at night and early morning, and in this coastal zone the conditions for plant growth are especially extreme in terms of moisture deficiency. As you ascend into the mountains, the frequency and intensity of fogs gradually increases, and at altitudes of 100 m or more, first blue and blue-green algae appear, and then bushy shrubs, and crustose lichens on the rocks. The belt of ephemerals and ephemeroids begins at an altitude of 200 m. Finally, at altitudes of 500-700 m, fogs reach their maximum: in winter, a damp blanket of fog lies on the slope almost around the clock. Representatives of the nightshade, clove, iris, and mallow families grow here. The tree-shrub layer is very sparse (acacia, whitish carica). Babaev A.G.

Patagonian desert. The vast and bleak desert stretches along the Atlantic Ocean for up to 1600 km, from 39 to 53 northern latitude, occupied by the Patagonian Plateau at an altitude of 600-800 m on an area of ​​400,000 square meters. km. [Fig. 16.] This is the only coastal desert in high latitudes.

Fig. 16.

Average monthly temperature warm month Patagonian desert - January - about 20 with an absolute maximum of up to 40. Winters in general, despite the mildness and positive temperatures, are very harsh. At severe frosts the temperature can drop to -21. Water resources are limited, reserves groundwater significant.

The soil cover is represented mainly by poorly developed desert rocky soils. Saline soils, even salt marshes, occupy drainage depressions. The Patagonian deserts lie in the temperate zone, and in the relatively more humid areas a sparse grass cover is formed, with the dominance of feather grass, fescue, bluegrass, and bromegrass. However, in most places the cover is very sparse, with bare gravelly soil lying between individual specimens. Azorella, mulinum, etc. are found here. Animals found here are: long-haired armadillo, mara, (pig family) or Patagonian hare, rodents, wild llama (the only ungulate of Patagonia), Patagonian fox, birds (nandus ostriches), lizards (mostly iguanas) and others. Zaletaev V.S.

Fauna South America

The fauna of South America is no less rich than the vegetation cover. The modern fauna, as well as the flora of the mainland, was formed starting from the end of the Cretaceous period, and from the middle of the Tertiary period, South America was isolated from other continents. This is related to the antiquity of the fauna and the presence of a large number of endemic forms in its composition. Along with this, many the most ancient representatives fauna of South America or species close to them are found on other continents, which indicates the existence of long-standing land connections between the continents.

An example is the marsupials, which survive only in South America and Australia.

In the fauna of South America there is no great apes. This circumstance, along with the lack of finds of remains of primitive man, gave scientists grounds to assert that South America, like North America, was not the center of formation of the human race and that man in South America is an alien. All monkeys of South America belong to the broad-nosed group and are limited in their distribution to the tropical forests.

A feature of the fauna of South America is also the presence in its composition of three endemic families of edentates, united in one order.

A large number of endemic species, genera and even families are found among the predators, ungulates and rodents of South America.

South America (together with Central America) is classified as a special Neotropical region of animals and is included within two of its subregions - the Brazilian and the Chilean-Patagonian.

Depending on differences in natural conditions, primarily in climate and vegetation cover, the fauna different parts continent is not the same. Tropical rainforests are characterized by the greatest originality and faunal richness, although animals there do not play a big role in the landscape, hiding in dense thickets or spending most of the time in tall trees. Adaptation to an arboreal lifestyle is one of the characteristics of the animals of the Amazon forests, as well as the animals of the forests of the Congo Basin in Africa or the Malay Archipelago in Asia.

All American (broad-nosed) monkeys, divided into two families - marmosets and capuchins, are associated with the tropical forests of South America.

Marmoset monkeys are small in size. The smallest of them, the wistiti (Hapale jacchus), reach a length of no more than 15-16 cm, their limbs are equipped with claws that help them stay on tree trunks.

Many capuchin monkeys are characterized by a strong tail, which they use to cling to tree branches and which plays the role of a fifth limb for them.

Among the capuchins, a subfamily of howler monkeys stands out, which received their name for their ability to produce screams that can be heard for many kilometers. Widespread spider monkeys with long flexible limbs.

Among the representatives of the edentate family, sloths (Choloepus) live in tropical forests. They are little mobile and spend most of their time hanging on trees, feeding on leaves and shoots. Sloths climb trees confidently, but rarely fall to the ground.

Some anteaters are also adapted to life in trees. For example, tamandua trees freely climb; The small anteater, which has a prehensile tail, also spends most of its time in trees.

The large anteater is common in forests and savannas and leads a terrestrial lifestyle.

Predators of the tropical forests from the cat family are ocelots, small jaguarundi and large and strong jaguars, which sometimes even attack humans.

Of the predators belonging to the canine family, the little-studied forest or bush dog living in the tropical forests of Brazil and Guiana is interesting. Forest animals that hunt in trees include nasua (Nasua) and kinkajou (Potos flavus).

Ungulates, which are not numerous in South America, have only a few representatives in the forests. Among them are the tapir (Tapirus terrestris), a small black peccary pig, and small South American horned deer.

Typical representatives of rodents in the forests of the Amazonian lowland and other areas of South America are the arboreal prehensile-tailed porcupines Coendu, which climb trees well. Agoutis (Dasyprocta aguouti), found in the forests of Brazil and Guiana, cause great harm to plantations of tropical crops. Almost throughout the entire continent, and especially in Amazonian forests The common capybara, or capybara (Hydrochoerus capibara) is the largest of the rodents, with a body up to 120 cm long.

In the forests of Southern and Central America There are several species of marsupial rats, or opossums. Some of them are equipped with a prehensile tail and are good at climbing trees.

The Amazon forests are teeming bats, among which there are species that feed on the blood of warm-blooded mammals.

Reptiles and amphibians are very richly represented in the forests. Among the reptiles, the water boa - anaconda (Eunectes murinos) and the land boa - boa constrictor ( Constrictor constrictor). Lots of poisonous snakes and lizards. There are crocodiles in the river waters. Of the amphibians, there are many frogs, some of them lead an arboreal lifestyle.

There are many different birds in the forests, especially brightly colored parrots. The most typical are the largest of the parrots - the macaw. In addition, small parakeets and beautiful brightly feathered green parrots are widespread.

The most characteristic representatives of the avifauna of South America and, in particular, tropical forests are hummingbirds. These small motley-colored birds that feed on the nectar of flowers are called insect birds.

There are also hoatzins in the forests, the chicks of which have claws on their wings that help them climb trees, sun herons and shuttle-billed herons, harpies - huge birds of prey that hunt young deer, monkeys and sloths.

One of the features of the tropical forests of the mainland is the abundance of insects, most of which is endemic. Day and night butterflies, various beetles, and ants abound there. Many of the butterflies and beetles are beautifully colored. Some beetles glow so brightly at night that you can read a book next to them. Butterflies have huge size. The largest of them, Agrippa, reaches a wingspan of almost 30 cm.

The fauna of the drier and open spaces of South America - savannas, tropical woodlands, subtropical steppes - is different from that of dense forests. Among the predators, besides the jaguar, the puma is common (found throughout almost all of South America and enters North America), ocelot, pampa cat. Of the canine predators, the maned wolf is typical of the southern part of the continent. The Pampa fox is found on the plains and mountainous areas almost throughout the continent, and in the extreme south - the Magellanic fox.

Among the ungulates, the small Pampas deer is common.

In savannas, forests and arable lands there are representatives of the third family of incomplete edentates - armadillos (Dasypodidae) - animals equipped with a durable bony shell and with the ability to burrow into the ground when danger approaches. Local residents hunt them because they consider their meat tasty.

Among the rodents found in savannas and steppes are the viscacha and the tuco-tuco, which lives in the ground. The swamp beaver, or nutria, is widespread along the banks of reservoirs, whose fur is highly valued on the world market.

Among the birds, in addition to numerous parrots and hummingbirds, there are South American rhea ostriches (Rhea), and some large birds of prey.

Snakes and especially lizards abound in savannas and steppes.

A characteristic feature of the savannah landscape of South America, as well as Africa, are numerous termite structures. Many areas of South America are affected by locusts.

The mountain fauna of the Andes has unique features. It includes a number of endemic animals not found in the eastern part of the mainland. Throughout mountainous region South American representatives of the camelid family - llamas - are common in the Andes. There are two known species of wild llamas - vigon (Lama vicugna) and guanaco (L. huanachus). In the past, they were hunted by Indians, who exterminated them for their meat and wool. Guanaco was found not only in the mountains, but also on the Patagonian Plateau and in Pampa. Nowadays, wild llamas are rare. In addition, the Indians in the Andes breed two domestic species of animals of this genus - the llama itself and the alpaca. Llamas (Lama glama) are large and strong animals. They carry heavy loads along difficult mountain roads, their milk and meat are used for food, and coarse fabrics are made from wool. Alpaca (Lama pacos) is bred only for its soft wool.

Also found in the Andes spectacled bear, some marsupials. The small endemic rodent chinchilla (Chinchilla) used to be widespread. Their soft, silky gray fur was considered one of the best and most expensive furs. Because of this, the chinchilla is now completely exterminated.

Birds in the Andes are usually represented by endemic, mountain species of the same genera and families that are common in the east of the continent. Of the birds of prey, the condor (Vultur gryphus) is remarkable - the largest representative of this order.

Flora of South America

Most of South America is distinguished by its exceptional richness of flora. This is due to both the modern natural conditions of the continent and the peculiarities of its development. Tropical flora South America has developed since the end of the Mesozoic era. Its development has proceeded continuously until the present time, undisturbed by either glaciation or significant fluctuations. climatic conditions, as was the case on other continents.

On the other hand, the formation of the vegetation cover of South America, starting from the Tertiary period, occurred in almost complete isolation from other large land areas. The main features of the flora of South America are connected with this: its antiquity, species richness and high degree of endemism.

The vegetation cover in South America has changed significantly less under human influence than on other continents of the globe. The population density on the mainland is low, and vast areas in some parts of it are to this day almost completely uninhabited. Such areas have retained their natural soil and vegetation cover unchanged.

The vegetation of South America is a source of enormous natural resources - food, feed, technical, medicinal, etc. But they are still very little used.

The flora of South America has given humanity a number of important cultivated plants. The first place among them is occupied by potatoes, the culture of which was known to the Indians long before the arrival of Europeans and is widespread in various regions of South America today. Then from South America come the most common rubber plant, Hevea, chocolate tree, cinchona tree, grown in many tropical areas of the globe.

South America lies within two floristic regions. The main part of the continent is included within the Neotropical region. Its flora contains some elements common to Africa, which indicates the existence of land connections between the continents until the Tertiary period.

The part of the continent south of the parallel 40° S. w. belongs to the Antarctic floristic area. There are similarities between the flora of this part of the continent and the flora of Antarctica, Australia and New Zealand, which also indicates the existence of connections between these continents during geological history.

The general picture of soil and plant zones in the Neotropical region of South America is somewhat reminiscent of Africa. But the ratio of individual types of vegetation and their species composition on these continents are different. If the main type of vegetation in Africa is savanna, then the vegetation cover of South America is especially characterized by tropical rainforests, which have no equal on Earth either in the richness of species or in the vastness of the territory they occupy.

Tropical rainforests on lateritic podzolized soils spread over a vast area in South America. The population of Brazil calls them Selvas. Selvas occupy a significant part of the Amazonian lowland and adjacent areas of the Orinoco lowland, the slopes of the Brazilian and Guiana highlands. They are also characteristic of the Pacific coastline within Colombia and Ecuador. Thus, tropical rainforests cover areas with equatorial climate, but, in addition, they grow on the slopes of the Brazilian and Guiana highlands, facing the Atlantic Ocean in higher latitudes, where there is abundant trade wind rain throughout the year.

In the rich tropical forests of the Amazonian lowland you can find many valuable plants. These forests are characterized by great height and complexity of the forest canopy. In non-flooded areas within the forest there are up to 12 tiers, and the height is the most tall trees reaches 80 and even 100 m. More than a third plant species endemic in these forests. Tropical rainforests rise along the mountain slopes to approximately 1000-1500 m, without undergoing significant changes. Higher up they give way to depleted mountain tropical forests.

As climate changes, tropical rainforests are turning into red-soil savannas. In the Brazilian Highlands between savannas and wet forest There is a strip of almost pure palm forests. Savannas are distributed over a large part of the Brazilian Highlands, mainly in its interior regions. In addition, they occupy large areas in the Orinoco Lowland and central regions Guiana Highlands.

In the south - in Brazil - typical savannas are known as campos. Their vegetation consists of tall grasses. Woody vegetation is either completely absent or represented by individual specimens of mimosa, cacti and other xerophytic or succulent trees. Campos of the Brazilian Highlands is a valuable but relatively underutilized grassland.

In the north, in Venezuela and Guiana, savannas are called llanos. There, along with tall and varied grass vegetation, there are isolated palm trees, giving the landscape a unique appearance.

In the Brazilian Highlands, in addition to the typical savanna, there are similar types of vegetation adapted to withstand a long dry period. In the northeast of the Brazilian Highlands, a significant area is occupied by the so-called caatinga, which is a sparse forest of drought-resistant trees and shrubs. Many of them lose their leaves during the dry season, others are distinguished by swollen trunks in which moisture accumulates. Caatinga produces red-brown soils.

On the Gran Chaco plain, in particularly arid areas, thorny dry-loving shrubs and sparse forests grow on red-brown soils. They contain a number of endemic woody forms containing a large number of tannins.

On the Pacific coast, south of the tropical rainforests, you can also find a narrow strip of savanna vegetation, which then quite quickly turns into semi-desert and desert.

Large areas of mountain-tropical desert vegetation and soils are found in the interior highlands of the Andes.

Subtropical vegetation occupies relatively small areas in South America. However, the diversity of vegetation types in the sub- tropical latitudes quite large.

The extreme southeast of the Brazilian Highlands, which receives heavy rainfall throughout the year, is covered with subtropical araucaria forests with an undergrowth of various shrubs, including Paraguayan tea. Paraguayan tea leaves are consumed local population for making a common hot drink that replaces tea. Based on the name of the round vessel in which this drink is made, it is often called “mate” or “yerba mate”.

The second type of subtropical vegetation of South America - the subtropical steppe or pampa - is characteristic of the eastern, most humid parts of the La Plata lowland south of 30° S. This is herbaceous grass vegetation on fertile reddish-black soils formed on volcanic rocks . It consists of South American species of those genera of cereals that are widespread in Europe in the temperate steppes. There are species of feather grass, bearded grass, and fescue. Unlike the temperate steppes, the vegetation in the pampa grows throughout the year. The pampa is connected with the forests of the Brazilian Highlands by a transitional type of vegetation, where grasses are combined with thickets of evergreen shrubs.

To the west and south of the pampa, as precipitation decreases, vegetation of dry subtropical steppes and semi-deserts appears on gray-brown soils, gray soils and saline soils.

Subtropical vegetation and soils of the Pacific coast, according to the peculiarities of climatic conditions, resemble in appearance the vegetation and soils of the European Mediterranean. Thickets of evergreen shrubs on brown soils predominate.

Very unique vegetation temperate latitudes South America. There are two main types of vegetation cover, which differ sharply from each other, corresponding to differences in the climate of the eastern and western parts of the southern tip of the continent. The extreme southeast (Patagonia) is characterized by vegetation of dry steppes and semi-deserts of the temperate zone. This is actually a continuation of the semi-deserts of the western part of the pampa in a harsher and colder climate. The soils are dominated by chestnut and gray soils; saline soils are widespread. The vegetation cover is dominated by grasses (for example, silvery Argentine bluegrass) and various xerophytic shrubs, such as cacti, mimosas, etc.

The extreme southwest of the continent, with its oceanic climate, slight annual temperature differences and high annual precipitation, has a peculiar vegetation, very ancient and rich in composition. These are moisture-loving evergreen subantarctic forests, multi-tiered and very diverse in composition. In terms of richness of species and height, they are not inferior to tropical forests. They abound in lianas, mosses, and lichens. Along with various high-trunk coniferous trees Evergreen deciduous species are common, such as southern beeches (Nothofagus). These moisture-soaked forests are difficult to clear and uproot. They are still preserved over large areas in an intact form and, almost without changing their composition, rise along the mountain slopes to a height of 2000 m. In these forests in the south, podzolic soils predominate, turning into forest brown soils in more northern areas.

South America is the fourth largest continent and lies in southern hemisphere. Five climatic zones determine the characteristics of the flora and fauna: equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate; most of the continent has a warm climate.

The plant and animal worlds are very rich, many species are found exclusively here. South America is a record holder in many ways; the longest and longest river flows here. deep river in the world, the Amazon, the longest Andes mountain range, the largest mountain lake Titicaca, is the rainiest continent on earth. All this significantly influenced the development of wildlife.

Nature different countries South America:

Flora of South America

The flora of South America is rightfully considered the main wealth of the continent. Such well-known plants as tomatoes, potatoes, corn, chocolate trees, and rubber trees were discovered here.

The tropical rainforests of the northern part of the continent still amaze with the richness of species, and today scientists continue to discover new plant species here. In these forests there are different types palm, melon tree. There are 750 species of trees and 1,500 species of flowers per 10 square kilometers of this forest.

The forest is so dense that it is extremely difficult to move through it; vines also make movement difficult. A characteristic plant for the tropical forest is the ceiba. The forest in this part of the mainland can reach a height of more than 100 meters and is distributed into 12 levels!

To the south of the jungle are variable-humid forests and savannas, where the quebracho tree grows, which is famous for its very hard and very heavy wood, valuable and expensive raw materials. In the savannas small forests are replaced by thickets of cereals, shrubs and tough grasses.

Even further south are the pampas - the South American steppes. Here you can find many types of grasses, common to Eurasia: feather grass, bearded grass, fescue. The soil here is quite fertile, since there is less rainfall and it is not washed away. Shrubs and small trees grow among the grasses.

The south of the mainland is a desert, the climate there is more severe, and therefore the vegetation is much poorer. Shrubs, some types of grasses and cereals grow on the rocky soil of the Patagonian desert. All plants are resistant to drought and constant weathering of the soil, among them are resinous chañar, chukuraga, and Patagonian fabiana.

Fauna of South America

The fauna, like the vegetation, is extremely rich; many species have not yet been described or qualified. The richest region is the Amazonian jungle. It is here that you can find such amazing animals as sloths, the smallest birds in the world, hummingbirds, a huge number of amphibians, including poisonous frogs, reptiles, including huge anacondas, the world's largest rodent, the capybara, tapirs, jaguars, river dolphins. At night, the ocelot, a wild cat that resembles a leopard but is found only in America, hunts in the forest.

Scientists estimate that the jungle is home to 125 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and an unknown number of species of insects and invertebrates. Rich and water world Amazon, its most famous representative is predatory fish piranha. Other famous predators are crocodiles and caimans.

The savannas of South America are also rich in fauna. Here you can find armadillos, amazing animals covered with plates - “armor”. Other animals that can only be found here are anteaters, rhea ostriches, spectacled bears, pumas, and kinkajou.

In the pampas of this continent there are deer and llamas that live on open spaces, and which can find here the herbs that they feed on. The Andes have their own special inhabitants - llamas and alpacas, whose thick wool saves them from the high mountain cold.

In the deserts of Patagonia, where only tough grasses and small shrubs grow on rocky soil, mainly small animals, insects, and various types of rodents live.

South America includes the Pacific Galapagos Islands, where amazing turtles are found, the largest representatives of the family on earth.

The exceptional richness and diversity of the flora of South America amounts to tens of thousands of plant species. Such natural generosity is greatly facilitated by the favorable location of this part of the continent between the subequatorial latitudes of the north and temperate latitudes of the south.

A significant part of South America with a small share of Central America forms the Neotropical floristic region.

Fundamentally different from the flora of the North American continent, which depends mainly on temperature conditions, the flora of South America lives according to different laws. The Neotropical kingdom is characterized by high temperatures and incredible amounts of sun rays allowing plants to develop all year round almost over its entire area. But the main factor regulating the length of the growing season is the degree of moisture, which decreases as one retreats from the equator to the tropics, which is why the differences between the territories inside the continent and near the ocean are very significant. Naturally, the flora of South America is also changing. Let us briefly describe the features of the flora of these areas and get acquainted with its representatives.

Equatorial forests

Epiphytes

South American ones are full of epiphytes, blooming brightly and colorfully.

The main area of ​​the vast territory of the South American mainland extends in equatorial-tropical latitudes, so it does not feel a lack of sunlight, although the climate of this part of the world is not at all as hot as Africa.

It is the wettest continent on the planet, and there are many natural reasons for this. The difference in pressure between warm land and the ocean environment, currents off the coast of the continent; the Andes mountain range stretching across a huge part of its territory, blocking the way west winds and contributing to increased humidity and significant amounts of precipitation.

The climate of South America is extremely diverse, because the continent stretches across six climatic zones: subequatorial to moderate. Along with areas of fertile nature, there are areas known for mild winters and cool summers, but famous frequent rains and the winds.

In the center of the continent there is much less precipitation. And the highlands are distinguished by clean, dry air, but a harsh climate, where the bulk of the heavenly moisture falls, even in summer months, in the form of snow, and the weather is capricious, constantly changing throughout the day.

A person does not survive well in such places. Naturally, the vicissitudes of the weather also affect other organisms living there.

It is not surprising that given the data natural features, the world of fauna is incredibly diverse and rich. List of animals of South America is very extensive and impressive with its individual bright features of organic life that has taken root in this territory. It includes many wonderful and rare species creatures that amaze with their fantastic originality.

What animals are in South America live? Most have adapted perfectly to existence in harsh conditions, because some of them have to endure the discomfort of tropical downpours and survive in the highlands, getting used to the characteristics of savannas and subequatorial forests.

The fauna of this continent is amazing. Here are just some of its representatives, the diversity of which can be seen at photo of animals of South America.

Sloths

Interesting mammals– the inhabitants of forests are known throughout the world as very slow creatures. The peculiar animals are closely related to armadillos and anteaters, but purely outwardly they have little resemblance to them.

Number of sloth species included animals endemic to South America, only about five. They are united into two families: two-toed and three-toed sloths, which are quite similar to each other. They are half a meter tall and weigh about 5 kg.

Their external features resemble an awkward monkey, and their thick, shaggy fur looks like a haystack. It is curious that the internal organs of these animals differ in structure from other mammals. They lack hearing and visual acuity, their teeth are underdeveloped, and their brain is quite primitive.

The animal in the photo is a sloth

Armadillos

Fauna of South America would be significantly poorer without mammals. These are the most unusual animals among the edentates, a group that includes sloths.

The animals are dressed by nature in something similar to chain mail, as if clad in armor, girded with hoops consisting of bone plates. They have teeth, but they are very small.

Their vision is not well developed, but their sense of smell and hearing are quite acute. When feeding, such animals grab food with their sticky tongue and are able to burrow into loose soil.

Pictured is an armadillo

Ant-eater

Scroll South American animal names wouldn't be complete without this amazing creation, How . This is an ancient, outlandish mammal that existed in the early Miocene era.

These representatives of the fauna inhabit the territories of savannas and wet forests, and also live in swampy areas. They are divided by scientists into three genera, differing in weight and size.

Representatives of the genus of giants weigh up to 40 kg. They, like members of the genus of large anteaters, spend their lives on the ground and cannot climb trees. Unlike their relatives, dwarf anteaters skillfully move along trunks and branches with the help of clawed paws and a prehensile tail.

Anteaters do not have teeth, and spend their lives searching for termite mounds and anthills, absorbing their inhabitants with the help of a sticky tongue, sticking their a long nose. An anteater can eat several tens of thousands of termites per day.

The animal in the photo is an anteater

Jaguar

Among South American forest animals, dangerous predator, killing with one jump, is . It is precisely in his dexterous, lightning-fast ability to kill his victims that the meaning of the name of this beast, translated from the language of the indigenous inhabitants of the continent, lies.

The predator is also found in shrouds and belongs to the panther genus, reaches a weight of just under 100 kg, has a spotted color like a leopard, and has a long tail.

Such animals live in the north and central parts of America, but are found in Argentina and Brazil. And in El Salvador and Uruguay some time ago they were completely exterminated.

In the photo there is a jaguar

Mirikina monkey

American monkeys are endemic, and differ from their relatives living on other continents by a wide partition separating the nostrils of these animals, for which many zoologists call them broad-nosed monkeys.

This type of creature inhabiting mountain forests includes the Mirikina, otherwise called durukuli. These creatures, which are about 30 cm tall, are notable for the fact that, unlike others, they lead an owl-like lifestyle: they hunt at night, seeing perfectly and orienting themselves in the dark, and sleep during the day.

They jump like acrobats, eat small birds, insects, frogs, fruits and drink nectar. They can make a huge number of interesting sounds: they bark and meow like a dog; roar like jaguars; chirping and chirping like birds, filling the darkness of the night with devilish concerts.

Monkey Mirikina

Titi monkey

It is not known exactly how many species of such monkeys exist in South America, since they have taken root in impenetrable forests, whose wilds cannot be fully explored.

Appearance Titi resemble mirikin, but have long claws. During the hunt, they guard their prey on the branch of a tree, tucking their arms and legs together and lowering their long tail down. But at the right moment, in the blink of an eye, they deftly grab their victims, be it a bird flying in the air or running along the ground. Living being.

Pictured is a titi monkey

Saki

These monkeys live in the forests of the interior regions of the continent. They spend their lives on the tops of trees, especially in areas of the Amazon that are flooded with water. for a long time because they cannot tolerate dampness.

They jump on branches very deftly and far, and walk on the ground on their hind legs, helping themselves to maintain balance with their front legs. Zoo workers, observing these animals, noticed their habit of rubbing their own fur with pieces of lemon. And they drink by licking the water from their hands.

White-faced saki

Uakari monkey

Close relatives of the saki, living in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, are known for the shortest tail among the continent's monkeys. These peculiar creatures, classified as endangered species and rare animals of South America, have red faces and a bald forehead, and with their lost and sad expression on their faces they look like an old person, confused in life.

However, appearances are deceptive, because the character of these creatures is cheerful and cheerful. But when they are nervous, they smack their lips noisily and shake the branch they are on with all their might.

Uakari monkey

Howler

South American harpy bird

Titicaca whistler frog

Otherwise, this creature is called a scrotum due to the flabbiness of its skin, hanging in folds. She uses her fancy skin for breathing, since her lungs are small in volume.

This is the largest frog in the world, found in the reservoirs of the Andes and Lake Titicaca. Some specimens grow up to half a meter and weigh about a kilogram. The color of the back of such creatures is dark brown or olive, often with light spots, the belly is lighter, creamy-gray.

Titicaca whistler frog

American manatee

Large mammal, inhabiting the shallow waters of the Atlantic coast. Capable of living also in fresh water bodies. Average length is three or more meters, weight in some cases reaches 600 kg.

These creatures are colored a rough gray and have flipper-like forelimbs. They feed on plant foods. They have poor eyesight and communicate by touching their muzzles.

American manatee

Amazonian inia dolphin

The largest of the. His body weight can be 200 kg. These creatures are dark in color and sometimes have a reddish skin tone.

They have small eyes and a curved beak covered with tinny bristles. In captivity they live no more than three years and are difficult to train. They have poor eyesight, but a developed echolocation system.

river dolphin inia

Piranha fish

This aquatic creature, famous for its lightning-fast attacks, received the title of the most voracious fish on the continent. Having a height of no more than 30 cm, she mercilessly and brazenly attacks animals and does not hesitate to feast on carrion.

The body shape is like a rhombus, laterally compressed. Usually the color is silver-gray. There are also herbivorous species these fish feed on vegetation, seeds and nuts.

Pictured is a piranha fish

Giant arapaima fish

According to scientists, the appearance of this ancient fish, a living fossil, has remained unchanged for millions of centuries. Some individuals, as local residents of the continent say, reach four meters in length and weigh 200 kg. True, ordinary specimens are more modest in size, but they are valuable commercial fish.

Giant arapaima fish

Electric eel

The most dangerous big fish, having a mass of up to 40 kg, found in the shallow rivers of the continent and having a fair share of human casualties.

Capable of emitting electric charge of great power, but feeds only on small fish. It has an elongated body and smooth, scaly skin. The color of the fish is orange or brown.

Electric eel fish

Agrias claudina butterfly

The most beautiful of tropical forests with a scope, rich colors, bright wings of 8 cm. The shape and combination of shades depends on the subspecies of the described insects, of which there are about ten. It is not easy to see the butterfly, as they are rare. It's even harder to catch such beauty.

Agrias claudina butterfly

Nymphalid butterfly

With wide, medium-sized wings, bright and variegated colors. Its lower part usually merges with environment against the background of dry leaves. These insects actively pollinate flowering plants. Their caterpillars feed on grass and leaves.

Nymphalid butterfly