Amazon Animals Gone Wild on Candid Camera
National Zoo scientists set up camera traps in a remote section of the Amazon rain forest to gather data about the variety of species that inhabit it. Check out some remarkable pics, like this one of a giant anteater.
Amazon Animals Gone Wild on Candid Camera
The Smithsonian National Zoo recently set up a candid camera in the Amazonian rainforest to see what kind of animals they could capture on film. Check out the results. National Zoo scientists set up camera traps in a remote section of the Amazon rain forest to gather data about the variety of species that inhabit it. Check out some remarkable pics, like this one of a giant anteater. This is a short-eared dog, wondering why his ears are so short. This is one of only two dog species that live in the Amazon, and is the more common of the two. Camera hog: The jaguar is one of the top predators in the Amazon forest ecosystem and is the largest cat in the Americas. This particular adult male was photographed nine times at four different camera stations. Pleased to see you... An extremely rare sight is a white-fronted capuchin walking along the forest floor. This species forages in all levels of the forest for insects, fruits, and nuts and occasionally even descends to the forest floor. It wasn't me, it was a catamount. The puma is a top predator in the Amazon rainforest. Because they live over such a huge area, they are referred to by many different names: panther, puma, mountain lion, and catamount to name a few. Whistle while you walk: Although adult lowland tapirs are uniformly gray, their young have a striking pattern of white spots and stripes. These quiet, shy animals eat mostly grass and woody vegetation as well as fruits. Individuals communicate with loud high-pitched whistles. Oh Mr. Armadillo, why do you look so tasty? Ocelots eat mostly small rodents and occasionally birds, lizards, and snakes. This one was caught "hunting" a nine-banded armadillo, but was most likely more curious than hungry. An armadillo is well protected and would be a difficult catch for an ocelot. A giant armadillo stumbles home after a night at the club. The giant armadillo deserves its name and can weigh up to about 71 pounds in the wild. With its impressive weight and enormous elongated front claws, it digs out and eats termite and ant colonies. Tasty! May I borrow your coat? The ocelot can be identified by unique spot patterns in his or her coat. A jaguarundi, caught in the act. The coat of this jaguarundi is mostly black, but the coat color of different individuals can vary a lot, probably more than in any other cat species. Traffic backed up on the Peruvian Beltway. The collared peccary shown here is with a very young piglet. Snake? Where? This photo shows a great black hawk with a recently caught snake in its talons. A jaguar shies away from the zoo paparazzi. Occasionally, jaguars can appear almost completely black, like this female, when they have a genetic condition known as melanism. Please, no pics of the kid... This photo of a red brocket deer with a fawn provides information about the timing of breeding and birthing events as well as parental behavior. Hey, what's that smell? The white-lipped peccary often gives away its presence in the forest by the sound of its teeth breaking thick forest fruits and seeds, their grunts and screams .. and a strong distinctive odor. You know you want me: This Salvin's curassow is a prized game bird, and its populations are declining throughout most of its range. Its presence in a forest is often a sign of a lack of significant human presence. Yeah, we're exotic. This pair of bush dogs excited the scientists. Almost nothing is known about this species in the wild. It has never been formally studied, and even indigenous people who live and hunt in the rainforest rarely glimpse this rare and elusive canid. Hey, aren't you a ocelot? NO! Although it looks a lot like an ocelot, this animal is a separate species called a margay. These animals are smaller, have larger eyes, longer whiskers, and longer tails. The margay also spends a lot of time in trees. Can't believe you got it wrong... Is this where I audition for Real Housewives of DC? The Amazon red squirrel shows some interest in the cameras. Get more info on the study by clicking here.
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