A look at the mammal and bird life within the Pantanal.
Wildlife of the Pantanal
The Pantanal
Brazil’s Pantanal – the world’s largest freshwater wetland – is one of the best spots on the continent to see a brilliant array of wildlife with 156 species of mammals, 98 reptiles and 53 amphibians. Many people travel far and wide to this vast ecosystem purely to see an elusive jaguar in the wild. It’s surprisingly easy to be successful in that mission here, which is what makes The Pantanal such a special wildlife destination. But there are also a whole load of other species to discover.
Bird Life
With over 600 species of birds, the Pantanal is heaven for twitchers. The world’s largest parrot in the hyacinth macaw is up there on everyone’s Pantanal checklist, with its striking blue and yellow colouring. The classic toco toucan sight is iconic to the area, with its mammoth yellow beak which measures up to 50% of its surface area. There are almost a dozen species of herons and egrets, so birders will be kept very busy spotting the capped Heron, the black-crowned night herons and the agamis. The capped heron, with its unique blue face and beak and ivory feathers, is a highlight. While ibis paddle, huge jaribu stand tall, with their bizarre scarlet throat sacs on full display. For birders, The Pantanal is bliss.
Mammals
The Pantanal is one of the best places to see a jaguar in the wild, and we know the lodges in the best spots to give you the maximum chance of seeing this incredibly shy big cat. Another highlight is the capybara – the world’s most beloved giant rodent, with its comically round face, webbed feet and bouncy gate. Seeing a tapir in the wild is also quite the experience, as it’s a similarly funny looking animal and the distant relative of the African rhino. Also in the weirdest looking wildlife sightings happily sits the giant anteater, with its obscure pointed face. Giant river otters are incredible to watch, and this huge mammal – the longest weasel on earth reaching up to 1.8 metres – makes for a very special wildlife viewing experience. The ocelot, which also calls The Pantanal home, is the second-largest feline in South America after the jaguar, and has striking markings of bold spots unique to each individual cat.
Reptiles
The Pantanal is home to the giant anaconda – the heaviest snake in the world, with some weighing up to almost 200kgs. Here you can spot two species; the yellow anaconda, which is smaller, and the green anaconda, which is the largest. The boa constrictor is also a huge Pantanal snake, and like the anaconda, constricts its prey before eating it. The iguana is another highlight, and here they can grow up to 5 feet in length, as is the monitor lizard-esque tegu. The black caiman – a smaller cousin of the crocodile – is a regular feature of a Pantanal view, often relaxing with his intimidating jaw wide open.
As you can see, there’s lots on offer besides the sought-after jaguar, so make sure you don’t breeze over some brilliant sightings in your mission to find it.
