Latin America is a biodiversity powerhouse with over thirty percent of the world’s species and three of the top five countries (Brazil, Colombia and Mexico) with the most bird, amphibians, mammal, reptile, fish and plant life. Scientists consider Manu National Park in Peru and Yasuni Nationa Park in Ecuador among the most diverse protected areas in the world.
Threats to biodiversity require urgent action because they are at risk of disappearing due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, pollution, climate change and the invasion of alien species.
Interesting South America Facts:
- The highest waterfall in the world is located in Venezuela- Angel Falls in Venezuela
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_HnyYBFxLs
- The world’s largest river by volume in the world is the Amazon River that crosses Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia and Brazil
- Colombia has more species of birds than any country on Earth with 1,926 species.
- The world’s longest mountain range in the world is the Andes Mountains
- Monarchy butterflies’ migration One of the longest migration of insects. Millions of butterflies travel about 6,000 miles to Mexico
- Colombia has the largest number of orchids in the world with more than 1,500 different species
Unique wild animals of South America
Jaguar
Largest feline and third big cat in the world after lions and tigers.
Sloth
Slowest animal in the world and best known for slow motion lifestyle
Guanaco
It’s one of the largest species of wild mammals of the camelid family
Capybara
Largest semi aquatic mammal and favorite food of anaconda and jaguar
Anaconda
Largest and heaviest group of snakes found in the jungle of tropical South America
Pink dolphin
They live only in freshwater and they are also known as the pink river dolphin or boto.
Watch the video here.