Lago Sandoval Blog

Amazon Peru –  Rainforest Insects .

The Amazon rainforest is home to an incredible variety of insects. Over 90% of all animals in the Amazon Peru rainforest are insects! Researchers and scientists discover thousands of new species of insects every year. Because of this, it’s hard to know exactly how many insects might call the rainforest home. The following are some unique insects that live in the Amazon rainforest.

 Leafcutter Ant.

Leafcutter ants live in large, complex colonies, with each ant playing a specific role based on its size. Leafcutter ants eat more vegetation than any other creature in the rainforest. In addition to vegetation, these ants grow fungi underground that convert poisonous plants into an edible fungus.
A leaf-cutter ant clings to the edges of a bright green leaf in the Amazon.

Pink-Fingered Tarantulas.

Pink-toed tarantulas have a solid black body, but show some personality on their toes. A fairly docile tarantula, they have pink tips on each of their eight legs. Unlike most tarantulas, they are active during the day. Additionally, their pink toes help them stand out from their surroundings, giving travelers a better chance of spotting them.
A pink-toed tarantula nestled between two green leaves with its legs out.

 Blue Morpho Butterfly .

The Amazon is home to at least 7,000 species of butterflies, 35% of the known butterfly species in the world. One of the most striking butterflies in the jungle is the blue morpho. With bright blue wings, you can’t miss them fluttering through the rain forest.
Three vibrant blue butterflies on green leaves in the Amazon rainforest.

Urodida Moth Cocoon .

The intricate design of this latticework cocoon was carefully woven by an urodid moth. This cocoon has an open structure, which allows air to flow over the pupae, preventing the growth of mold and fungus. The pupa will remain in its cocoon until fully grown and then make its entrance into the jungle through the tubular escape hatch at the bottom.
An orange cocoon with a lattice pattern hangs with its pupa inside. The tip of a finger is placed for the scale.

Amber Ghost Butterfly .

This amazing butterfly with translucent wings lives in the deep and shady parts of the jungle. It got its name from the amber details on its wings and from being semi-transparent, like a ghost or ghost.
A green leaf is visible through the translucent wings of two butterflies at night in the Amazon.

 Brazilian Wandering Spider .

This spider has the most toxic spider venom in the world. The Brazilian wandering spider lives not only in the Brazilian Amazon, but also in certain areas of South America. This spider earned its name because it actively searches for prey. It wanders, compared to other spiders that build and wait in a web. This long-legged spider has a brown body and red fangs.
A large, brown, hairy spider from the Amazon rainforest with red fangs and 4 black dots instead of eyes.

Scorpions

While scorpions are often thought of as desert dwellers, the Amazon rainforest is also home to several species. After seeing the above photos of animals from the Amazon rainforest, he probably thought that he had seen it all. So you learn that scorpions glow under black light! Under the beam of ultraviolet light, scorpions glow neon blue, lighting up like headlights at night.

Reptiles and Amphibians of the Amazon Trip.

More than 400 species of amphibians and more than 375 species of reptiles call the Amazon home. Below are some of the most famous, important, and unique reptiles and amphibians of the Amazon rainforest.

amphibians

 Poison dart frog

These species of frogs are very colorful in the jungle and very poisonous. These little creatures have very intricate patterns that are covered in many bright colors of red, blue, yellow and everything in between, their bright colors are a key defense mechanism to ward off predators.
An orange, yellow and blue poison dart frog with black stripes and spots on a green leaf.

Side Neck Turtle

Photoshop was not used to overlay the swarm of butterflies on this photo. Different species of butterflies actually drink from the tears of the side-necked turtle, a natural phenomenon in the Amazon. Many plant eaters in the Amazon do not get enough salt from their diet. They have come up with creative solutions, like drinking turtle tears, to increase their salt intake.
Two side-necked turtles with lots of orange and yellow butterflies swarming over them to drink their tears.

Side-necked turtle and butterflies. Photo by Marcelo Bonino and Jeff Cremer for Rainforest Expeditions.

 Black Cayman

The largest predator in the Amazon ecosystem is the black caiman. As its name suggests, this reptile has dark scales that help it blend in with its surroundings. Most of the time, you can only see the eyes lurking above the water.

Scientists have discovered fossils of an extinct giant caiman in black caiman territory that reach more than 40 feet (12 meters). However, this crocodile only grows to about 15 feet (4.5 meters) long, almost as big as its relative, the American alligator.
A black caiman, an Amazonian reptile, lurks above the water with its large eyes.

black alligator. Photo by César Vásquez for Travel Buddies Peru.

Bicolor Tree Frog

The eyes of this frog are without a doubt its most notable feature. These giant leaf frogs are commonly found throughout the Amazon. These frogs have bright green backsides with a cream-colored belly. The frogs spend most of their time in the trees and not on the forest floor. They swing through the trees like monkeys, giving them an alternate name: Giant Monkey Frog.
The bicolor tree frog, a green frog with a white belly, clings to a branch in the Amazon.

Bicolor tree frog. Photo by Lucas Bustamante for Rainforest Expeditions.

 Green Anaconda

Green anacondas are the heaviest and second longest snakes in the world. These water boas are rather clumsy on land, but more cunning in the swamps, marshes, and streams where they hunt. With their eyes and nose on top of their heads, they can hide most of their bodies underwater while foraging for food.

Birds of the Amazon Rainforest

These seven unique species are only a small percentage of the 1,300 bird species found in the Amazon (which is why it is the perfect place for bird watching). Feathers are all the rage, either blending in or standing out for these Amazon rainforest animals.

 Macaw.

Macaw feathers come in almost any color, with red, yellow, green, and blue being the most common. The scarlet macaw is the best known, with its distinct red, yellow, and blue feathers. It is common for macaws to gather at clay licks in search of salt. This allows many visitors to Puerto Maldonado the opportunity to see these majestic birds in the wild.
A scarlet macaw, with red, yellow and blue feathers, flies through the Amazon rainforest.

Harpy Eagle.

The intense eyes and sharp beak are key features of the harpy eagle. A top predator in the jungle, the harpy eagle soaring through the Amazonian sky is a phenomenal sight. Harpy eagles have gray heads, white bellies, and an intricate pattern of white, gray, and black feathers on their wings.
A harpy eagle, with black, gray and white feathers, flaps its wings while on the ground.

Cotinga with sequins.

Male sequined cotingas are characterized by having vibrant turquoise feathers covering their body with a patch of deep pink feathers on their throat. This Amazon rainforest animal lives high in the canopy and, unlike the other birds on this list, does not have the ability to make sounds.
A sequined cotinga, a small bird from the Amazon rainforest, rests standing on a green and red plant.

Royal Flycatcher .

While the body of this bird is quite simple, it does have an extremely beautiful crest that it displays when it feels threatened or trying to attract a mate. Its bright crest feathers range from yellow to red and have purplish-blue tips and blotches.
A brown Amazonian bird, the royal flycatcher, displays its orange and indigo crest while resting.

Potoo Bird .

Potoo birds offer a new take on camouflage. These jungle birds blend brilliantly as an extension of bark or as a broken stump. As nocturnal inhabitants of the jungle, they are active at night. In addition, they emit hair-raising vocalizations that travel long distances to alert others of their presence.
A potoo bird, with brown and white feathers, blends in with the tree it is standing on.

 Toucan .

Large, often colorful bills are the most distinctive features of toucans. The Tambopata region of Peru is home to many species of toucans, including the yellow-crested toucan and the green-feathered emerald toucan.
A toucan with a black and yellow bill, and blue, white, black, and red plumage rests on a branch.

 Paradise Tanager .

This multicolored songbird is a common bird to watch in the Amazon. With bright green heads and sky blue bellies, they generally stand out from their surroundings. This bird nests high in the canopy, away from predators that might be after its eggs.
A paradise tanager, a small Amazonian bird with black, turquoise and lime green feathers

 Amazon Travel –

Field Guide

The Animals of the Peruvian Amazon.

In the Peruvian Amazon we have a great difference, this area has the greatest biodiversity of species, the only one on the planet. Where we will meet and learn about the 30 most amazing animals of this tropical jungle that were developed by many back in this jungle!
They are called home.

The red howler monkey. It lives in the tallest trees that are always sitting on the branches and the tops eating juicy fruits, very tender leaves.

This vegetation is very exuberant in its wildlife.

The animals of the wild Amazon are found in South America called the Tambopata National Reserve. Some species mix with their environment with nature, while others show an eclectic of very bright colors that also some spots of leaves, palm trees, roots and trees mix with wildlife, the Amazon has an incredible biodiversity like no other place we can find

To observe wildlife you need to bring..

For this trip to the Amazon, the main thing is to take a camera with long lenses, Binoculars to observe these unique creatures up close, A flashlight with a scope and batteries, A protective bag against the unit, a cantinflora to carry water and some shoes. of Trek. We recommend you to take these things for a good expedition in the Amazon.

Table of contents of Some Species studied in the Amazon Peru.

mammals
Birds
reptiles and amphibians
insects

2020 statistics of some species that live in the Amazon rainforest.

In the Amazon you have been able to appreciate some of the most incredible animals such as felines, monkeys and other creatures that live in the river. But the jungle is home to many incredible mammals: at least 430 different species that evolved many years ago!

Mammals of the Amazon Rainforest

Better known as the king of the jungle, this species is in extinction.

 jaguar .

How can we differentiate between cheetahs? Their natural habitat is the plains of Africa. Jaguars their natural habitat is the Amazon jungle found in South America. How Many travelers were lucky enough to see this feline in the jungle exclusively on the beaches taking a break on the sandbank and others crossing the river or hunting their prey. For animals on the beaches it is a perfect target. In the Reserve you can often see why it is their natural habitat. Because a very protected forest, the flora and fauna is very extensive and rich in biodiversity of species.

Giant River Otter Peruvian Amazon.

The giant river otters. This species is in extinction if they live naturally in the Amazon of Peru, which are the largest otters living in the world. They reach up to 5.6 feet (1.7 meters), these otters live in Lake Cochas and some in rivers that have very strong tails and their legs are flat, this helps them swim faster against currents. It has a communication with more than 22 different sounds in its vocabulary. It has a gray fur and white markings on the throat and whiskers is very veiled for its hunting is known as the most ferocious predator..

 Red Howler Monkey Amazon Peru trip .

These are the red howler monkeys that are the most noisy in the Amazon and are heard by most travelers exploring the Amazon rainforest. Its roars are very strong that it can reach more than 5 kilometers (3 miles) away. Where we will have the opportunity to see in the lakes and streams I bought, they are in the largest trees, eating and sleeping during the day. These monkeys walk in a small group, maximum 12, and they are very lazy where they find themselves, they stay until the last fruit or seeds are finished. They are very nutritious for your food.

They live in tropical and humid forests. The Amazon rainforest hosts many creatures where both are needed to thrive.

Capybara .

It is a fairly docile rodent that lives in South America, this rodent is similar to guinea pigs that are very gigantic. They live in tropical and humid forests and they can be seen frequently in densely forested areas and on the beaches along freshwater rivers. The capybara is one of the most The great swimmers and that they can hold their breath for up to 6 minutes underwater swimming and that they are very fast. These rodents are the largest in the world at about 4 feet (1.2 meters) long and 2 feet (60 centimeters) tall. They are herbivores, they walk in large groups, they are found mostly on the beaches, river banks and lagoons. In the Amazon of Peru we easily find it in the Manu National Park and the Tambopata Rainforest National Reserve.

Tour Amazon.

Hello to Observe the Clay Lick.

To observe these beautiful birds, the best time is from 7 AM before the show, we have to be camouflaged and positioned very calmly. Wait for the birds to gather first, then they descend in herds on this clay. Our specialists will explain to you about these birds. guides can point out clay licks along the river as you travel by boat or take you to a protective cover of dry lead camouflage.

Meander Lakes Amazon Peru.

The Oxbow lakes are the main and only habitats that are entered in this Amazon basin in the southern part of Peru. These lakes were formed as the curves of the rivers slowly separated from the flow of their main water for hundreds of years and these came to form lakes, lagoons, lakes and give many lives or are their habitats for many creatures.
To explore this tropical forest we start very early boarding the catamarans, the rowing canoes. Where we will be lucky enough to observe the alligators, several species of birds and the resident families that are the giant otters of the river that is in extinction, turtles, capybaras and many species diversities.

Get a new Perspective of the Amazon on a Visit to the Jungle Canopy.

The amazing diversity of flora and fauna varies not only by habitat, but also by distance from the rainforest floor. The canopy bridge at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica jungle lodge dangles 31 meters (103 feet) above the rainforest floor.

Jungle Walk

Guided jungle walks are an opportunity to immerse yourself in the surrounding nature at a slower pace. Some trails wind through ancient forests of towering trees, others explore deep water. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide will point out hidden wildlife and share insights into the vegetation of the Amazon rainforest.

Visit to the Local Community

Many jungle lodges work closely with local communities. Posada Amazonas is a popular jungle lodge near the Tambopata National Reserve that is owned by a partnership between the native Ese’eja community and Rainforest Expeditions. Visiting a local farm or traditional community clinic offers great insight into how the locals live in harmony with the Amazon.

How to Get to Puerto Maldonado.

To get to Puerto Maldonado we have land and air routes.

By Air: take flights from Lima airport (Jorge Chaves) directly to Puerto Maldonado airport (Pedro Aldamiz).

Cusco Airport ( Velasco Astete ) Fly with this company . LAN Airlines, Star Peru and TACA are direct flights to the city of Puerto Maldonado.

The flights are daily. They are non-stop flight to Puerto Maldonado.

From Lima to the city of Puerto Maldonado the trip lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes.

From Cusco to the city of Puerto Maldonado the flight lasts 55 minutes.

Via Highway Cusco to Puerto Maldonado.

The Trip by Land paved by the Transoceánica Directly from the City of Cusco to Puerto Maldonado.

Departures are daily starting at different times from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm We recommend it as a good option for those travelers who have a longer travel itinerary and who are very flexible.
We recommend this company .civa . transzela, cruz del sur, Iguazú, mobile palomino tour. They are very comfortable for travelers.

Arrival at Puerto Maldonado by flight.

Puerto Maldonado Airport our guides 30 minutes before your arrival will be waiting with your agency name and their respective names. Pick up and transfer to the main office to register and leave your large backpacks and take what you need for your tour and then transfer to the port to board the motor boat and navigate the river towards our lodge that is located in the jungle. In general, the trip and the walk is from 1 to 3 hours.

Travel by Bus from Cusco. Handsome Maldonado.

Daily departures 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm- last time 9.00 pm
Arrival the next day, hours between 5:00 am – 6:00 am – 7:00 am. 30 minutes before arrival our guides are waiting for you with their respective names. Transfer to the main office for registration and then leave the large backpacks and carry necessary.

Last after finishing the transfer to the airport 2 hours for your check-in.

Transfer to the bus terminal 1 hour before your departure from the bus.

Amazon Explorer

Puerto – Maldonado

The city of Puerto Maldonado is located in the southern part of Peru. It is the perfect place to explore the tropical jungle, which is one of the main attractions that Peru has. Where two main rivers, the Madre de Dios and the Tambopata, meet. It has a very rich in flora and fauna. Where it passes through the middle of the jungle giving life to many creatures that have adapted from living in this virgin forest. To explore take an outboard boat and explore the Amazon adventure, aboard a boat outboard or in a rowing canoe navigating the winding snake-shaped canals in this jungle. It will be an unforgettable experience .

Tambopata National Reserve

Covering an area of ​​275,000 hectares (680,000 acres), the Tambopata National Reserve is a highly protected Amazon rainforest located in the southeastern part of Peru. That the sanctuary is very incredible with greater biological diversity, this national reserve has impressive attractions such as the Oxbow lakes, lagoons and different forest habitats such as the tropical jungle, humid forests, aguajales etc. It has more than 680 species of common and endemic birds. 1200 species of butterflies that also join a long list of animals in danger of extinction, such as giant river otters, harpy eagles and jaguars, sloth bears, deer, tapir, tapir jungle pigs and other species that call this natural home. place.
The Tambo Pata Reserve has numerous clay licks along the exposed riverbanks where macaws and parrots, parakeets, birds and large animals congregate each morning.

The Bahauja-Sonene National Park

This reserve embraces the southern part of the Tambopata National Reserve.

Tambopata. It is very huge, it covers more than 1 million hectares (2.47 million acres) and it protects the only very rich and humid savannah of this tropical forest that has the greatest biodiversity on the planet. Access to this Bahauja-Sonene National Park is very limited.
Encompassing an intense diversity of wildlife.

Did You Know that two-Thirds of the World’s Plant and Animal Species have this Rainforest Home? ¡

This Amazon reserve keeps many secrets and it is very mysterious where new species were discovered! The Amazon is very extensive and exuberant with tropical forest and the largest on earth and is very fresh for biodiversity. It comes to awaken and fascinate all visitors and adventurers who love nature.

Fascinating Nature of the Amazon Peru.

This Amazon is beautiful hills that one can discover and it is also very diffuse and frankly very strange, for its creatures of this Amazon that are the highlight of any adventure in this virgin forest with many mysteries. What ! howler monkeys swing from the branches of the tallest trees, families of 1.8 m and (6 ft) giant river otters that have their own homes in Oxbow Lakes, how three-toed sloths are rare to observe even for long-term researchers, the pumas and jaguars that are in danger of extinction that is the perfect home for these tropical forests with many habitats of different species found in southern Peru.

Licks.

It derives from the Quechua word that has a meaning (Mineral Salts)These clay licks in the Tambopata and Manu national parks are very privileged places for observing macaws, parrots and parakeets that have different colors like the rainbow that every morning hundreds of birds come down to eat this salty clay that contains quite a lot of mineral salts. They eat to neutralize the acids and toxins from these unripe fruits and dried seeds and plants.

Things to Do Clay Licks .

The most amazing spectacle of the Amazon Where every morning large flocks of macaws, parrots, parakeets and some birds come to eat this clay. These clay licks are found on the banks of rivers that are large walls of salty clay that naturally formed centuries ago where are you birds found for their diets that most importantly the wild amzonia.

Why do Birds Eat Clay

According to studies carried out, scientists say that clay contains sodium and salts and minerals and other components. The theory is that birds ingest or eat this clay to help and neutralize the toxins they eat from certain plants, green fruits or dry seeds.

Puerto Maldonado .

Overview Amazon Peru .

When we talk about nature and wildlife in Peru, the Amazon rainforest in Peru is the perfect place to spend an imaginable vacation. This Amazon has an exuberant tropical forest that covers more than two thirds of the country, which is home to only 5 percent of the population. To all the travelers and adventurers who come to explore this wild jungle. That everything is organized with your professional guide and the lodge in the jungle where you can rest during your trip. Where to navigate in Amazonian channels that are very beautiful, observing the flora and fauna, walking under the treetops, observing birds fluttering and some animals. such as sloth bear mammals, capybaras, deer, and a variety of monkeys.

Amazon lovers.

For those who love nature, the trip to Peru is not complete without exploring the tropical forest, which is the largest in the world with a greater diversity of species than endemics, because Peru has a super varied microclimate such as the coast. jungle  Amazon Rainfores .

Let’s explore the three most popular destinations in the Peruvian Amazon:

Puerto Maldonado City .

Overview.

The city of Puerto Maldonado is located in the southeastern part of Peru. It represents a very warm temperature that comes from the highlands of the Andes.
Outboard boats and catamarans are the easiest means of transportation to get from one place to another or their respective communities. These waterways are the mobility to enter the deepest part of the Amazon jungle where exuberant vegetation flourishes.

Amazon Rainforest Activity .

To immerse yourself in the Amazon jungle we have activities from 1 day to 15 days. Where you will spend the nights in our lodges in the heart of the jungle with many wildlife. During your stay you can enjoy excursions exploring the different trails of the jungle.

Like the adventures, hanging posts walk on the tops of the trees and the towers to observe the vibrant Amazon, fish and see the native communities.

In the Amazon we will hike through the corners of this rare natural such as the lagoons, lakes, lakes that are very hidden where alligators live, the river otter families, tapir, peccary, peccary, deer, monkeys and the king of the jungle, the jaguars. that goes out to the beaches to sunbathe.

At night we will make night walks looking for different species such as toads, frogs, insects, birds and some large mammals. And others can relax in a hammock rocked by the warm breeze. This wonderful jungle keeps many secrets and great mysteries of the world.

Best Time to Visit Rainforest

Puerto Maldonado has a very dry season starting from (April-October) and has a wet season from (November-April). It is a very tropical jungle, during the dry season it tends to have some rain, it has its advantages and disadvantages of both.

Advantages in the Amazon jungle Peru.

The advantages of this dry season are that the trails or trails are less muddy and there is the possibility of great diversity of species such as parrots and parakeets macaws that gather in these very salty clay licks every morning. The lilies and beaches are beautiful with more to see animals and birds and others that sunbathe on the sand.
The temperatures are very dry and higher, and that the days are very sunny, less activity is carried out.

Rainy Season  Amazon Peru .

In the rainy season we have a great advantage because the Amazon is humid and makes it easy for us to observe a diversity of reptiles, batrachians and amphibians and is very cool for walking along the trails and overlooking the lagoons and lakes. The disadvantages in the rainy season are very muddy, the roads are wet and slippery we are less likely to see birds and we have flight delays.

Climate Rainforest .

The climate in the Amazon Peru in the southern part is divided into two very different seasons: How the dry season and the wet season that the 2 factors for this wildlife ..

Dry Season Tambopata .

The season begins from the month of May to the month of October, which are the driest months in the Amazon Peru. Between the months of June and September we have a very varied climate called friajes that can lower the temperature from 10°C (50°F) these are a couple of days. The friajes come from Patagonia and then descend over the southern jungle to the Andes.