Home›Species›Ecosystem›Amazon RainforestEcosystemAmazon RainforestTropical RainforestReference and ClassificationVerifiedThe largest tropical rainforest ecosystem on Earth, spanning the drainage basin of the Amazon River across Brazil and eight neighboring South American countries. It holds an estimated ten percent of all known species on the planet within roughly a third the land area of the contiguous United States, and its trees release enough water vapor through transpiration to generate a substantial share of the region's own rainfall, a self-sustaining moisture cycle scientists call flying rivers. Large-scale deforestation for agriculture and cattle ranching has reduced the forest's original extent by close to a fifth, and research suggests continued clearing risks pushing parts of the ecosystem past a tipping point into a drier, savanna-like state that would not readily reverse.FactsAmazon RainforestConnectionsIn the Other AtlasesSourcesTake a Related QuizComments (0)Reader Challenges (0)FactsClassificationBiogeographic RealmWell-attestedNeotropic 1Area (sq km)Well-attested5,500,000 1Amazon RainforestFilter Results38 entriesCommon GroupAllBeetles (Coleoptera) (2)Birds Of Prey (Raptors) (2)Catfish (Siluriformes) (1)Cichlids, Anemonefish And Damselfish (2)Citrus And Mahogany Relatives (Sapindales) (1)Heaths, Camellias And Primroses (Ericales) (1)Other Birds (1)Other Bony Fish (2)Other Flowering Plant Orders (1)Other Frogs And Toads (Anura) (2)Owls (1)Parrots (1)Poison Dart Frogs (Dendrobatidae) (5)Snakes (Serpentes) (2)Spiders (Araneae) (2)Spurges And Willows (Malpighiales) (1)Turtles And Tortoises (Testudines) (1)Woodpeckers (1)TaxonomyAllAccipitriformes (1)Anura (6)Araneae (2)Boidae (2)Callithrix (1)Cathartidae (1)Cerambycidae (1)Cetacea (1)Characiformes (2)Chelonoidis (1)Cichlidae (2)Coleoptera (1)Euphorbiaceae (1)Hylidae (1)Leopardus (1)Magnoliophyta (1)Magnoliopsida (1)Opisthocomiformes (1)Panthera (1)Phyllostomidae (1)Piciformes (1)Plantae (1)Procyonidae (1)Psittaciformes (1)Puma (1)Saguinus (1)Siluriformes (1)Strigiformes (1)HabitatAllBog (1)Boreal Forest (1)Chaparral (1)Desert (2)Freshwater (3)Freshwater Marsh (1)Grassland (2)Lake (2)Mangrove Forest (2)Riparian Zone (3)River (8)Savanna (2)Tropical Rainforest (21)Tundra (1)Wetlands (1)Conservation StatusAllData Deficient (1)Endangered (2)Least Concern (26)Near Threatened (1)Not Evaluated (3)Vulnerable (3)Everyday GroupAllBeetles (Coleoptera) (2)Birds Of Prey (Raptors) (2)Catfish (Siluriformes) (1)Cichlids, Anemonefish And Damselfish (2)Citrus And Mahogany Relatives (Sapindales) (1)Heaths, Camellias And Primroses (Ericales) (1)Other Birds (1)Other Bony Fish (2)Other Flowering Plant Orders (1)Other Frogs And Toads (Anura) (2)Owls (1)Parrots (1)Poison Dart Frogs (Dendrobatidae) (5)Snakes (Serpentes) (2)Spiders (Araneae) (2)Spurges And Willows (Malpighiales) (1)Turtles And Tortoises (Testudines) (1)Woodpeckers (1)DietAllCarnivore (16)Detritivore or Scavenger (1)Frugivore (2)Herbivore (3)Insectivore (1)Omnivore (3)Parasitic (1)Photosynthetic Autotroph (3)Piscivore (1)Population TrendAllDecreasing (1)System (Realm)AllFreshwater (12)Terrestrial (27)Terrestrial and Freshwater (2)ThreatsAllBiological Resource Use (1)Relationship to PeopleAllEaten or Drunk by People (2)Ecotourism and Research (2)Hunted or Fished (6)Kept as Pets (17)Natural Pest Control (1)Source of Timber or Wood (1)Used in Traditional Medicine (3)Living or ExtinctAllYes (32)Where It LivesAllArgentina (7)Bangladesh (2)Barbados (1)Belgium (3)Belize (6)Benin (1)Bolivia (13)Brazil (33)Cambodia (1)Canada (2)Central African Republic (1)Chile (1)China (1)Colombia (23)Costa Rica (7)Cuba (1)Dominican Republic (1)Ecuador (19)El Salvador (5)Federated States of Micronesia (1)Fiji (1)France (1)Germany (1)Guatemala (6)Guinea (2)Guinea-Bissau (1)Guyana (11)Haiti (1)Honduras (6)India (3)Indonesia (1)Italy (1)Jamaica (1)Kenya (1)Mexico (9)Myanmar (1)Nepal (1)Netherlands (2)Nicaragua (6)North America (4)Norway (8)Palau (1)Panama (5)Paraguay (5)Peru (15)Philippines (2)Samoa (1)Seychelles (2)Slovakia (1)South Africa (1)South America (23)Suriname (8)São Tomé and Príncipe (1)Taiwan (3)Thailand (1)Togo (1)Trinidad and Tobago (1)United Kingdom (2)United States (6)Uruguay (4)Venezuela (23)Vietnam (3)Show ResultsBrowseCompareSelect all 38Adelphobates galactonotusAmazon RainforestAmazon Milk FrogAmazon RainforestAmazon River DolphinAmazon RainforestApistogramma panduroAmazon RainforestBearded emperor tamarinAmazon RainforestBrazil nutAmazon RainforestBrazilian Whiteknee TarantulaAmazon RainforestCougarAmazon RainforestCrab-eating RaccoonAmazon RainforestDark fruit-eating batAmazon RainforestDyeing Poison FrogAmazon RainforestEmerald Tree BoaAmazon RainforestEmperor tamarinAmazon RainforestFirewood catfishAmazon RainforestGiant Water LilyAmazon RainforestGilded barbetAmazon RainforestGolden Poison FrogAmazon RainforestGoliath BirdeaterAmazon RainforestGreat Horned OwlAmazon RainforestGreen AnacondaAmazon RainforestHarpy EagleAmazon RainforestHercules BeetleAmazon RainforestHoatzinAmazon RainforestJaguarAmazon RainforestKing VultureAmazon RainforestLaetacara curvicepsAmazon RainforestOcelotAmazon RainforestPara Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis)Amazon RainforestPayaraAmazon RainforestPoison Dart FrogAmazon RainforestPygmy MarmosetAmazon RainforestQuassia amaraAmazon RainforestRanitomeya amazonicaAmazon RainforestRed-bellied PiranhaAmazon RainforestScarlet MacawAmazon RainforestSurinam Horned FrogAmazon RainforestTitan Beetle (Titanus giganteus)Amazon RainforestYellow-footed tortoiseAmazon RainforestConnectionsDemonstratesCarbon Cycle, Natural Phenomena Well-attested Whether the Amazon basin is currently a net carbon sink or, in its most deforested and fire-affected eastern reaches, has turned into a net carbon source is an active and genuinely unsettled research question; this edge records the rainforest as a demonstration of the carbon cycle's mechanism, not a claim about its current net direction.Source Encyclopaedia Britannicatier 1Water Cycle, Natural Phenomena Well-attested Source National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationtier 1HostsAdelphobates galactonotus, Species Well-attested Source Adelphobates galactonotus (Wikipedia)Amazon Milk Frog, Species Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Mission golden-eyed tree frogAmazon River Dolphin, Species Well-attested Source Amazon River Dolphin (World Land Trust)Apistogramma panduro, Species Well-attested Source Apistogramma panduro (Wikipedia)Bearded emperor tamarin, Species Well-attested Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Saguinus imperator accountBrazil nut, Species Well-attested Source Brazil nut (Wikipedia)Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula, Species Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Brazilian whiteknee tarantulatier 2Cougar, Species Well-attested Source Cougar (Wikipedia)tier 2Crab-eating Raccoon, Species Well-attested Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Procyon cancrivorus (Animal Diversity Web)Dark fruit-eating bat, Species Well-attested Source Dark fruit-eating bat (Wikipedia)Dyeing Poison Frog, Species Well-attested Source Dyeing Poison Frog (Wikipedia)Emerald Tree Boa, Species Well-attested Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Corallus caninusEmperor tamarin, Species Well-attested Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Saguinus imperator accountFirewood catfish, Species Well-attested Source Firewood catfish (Wikipedia)Giant Water Lily, Species Well-attested Source Giant Water Lily (Wikipedia)tier 2Gilded barbet, Species Well-attested Source Gilded barbet (Wikipedia)Golden Poison Frog, Species Well-attested Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Phyllobates terribilisGoliath Birdeater, Species Well-attested Source Theraphosa blondi (Wikipedia)tier 2Great Horned Owl, Species Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Great Horned Owltier 2Green Anaconda, Species Well-attested Source World Wildlife FundHarpy Eagle, Species Well-attested Source World Wildlife FundHercules Beetle, Species Well-attested Source Animal Diversity Web: Dynastes herculesHoatzin, Species Well-attested Source GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): GBIF species descriptions for Opisthocomus hoazinJaguar, Species Well-attested Source World Wildlife FundKing Vulture, Species Well-attested Source Wikipedia: King vultureLaetacara curviceps, Species Well-attested Source Laetacara curviceps (Wikipedia)Ocelot, Species Well-attested Source Ocelot (Wikipedia)tier 2Para Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis), Species Well-attested Source Hevea brasiliensis (Wikipedia)Payara, Species Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Payaratier 2Poison Dart Frog, Species Well-attested Source World Wildlife FundPygmy Marmoset, Species Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Pygmy marmosetQuassia amara, Species Well-attested Source Quassia amara (Wikipedia)Ranitomeya amazonica, Species Well-attested Source Ranitomeya amazonica (Wikipedia)Red-bellied Piranha, Species Well-attested Source Wikidata: Red-bellied PiranhaAdditional Source Red-bellied Piranha (Wikipedia)Article texttier 2Scarlet Macaw, Species Well-attested Source Scarlet Macaw (Wikidata)tier 2Surinam Horned Frog, Species Well-attested Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Ceratophrys cornutaTitan Beetle (Titanus giganteus), Species Well-attested Source Titan beetle (Wikipedia)Yellow-footed tortoise, Species Well-attested Source Yellow-footed tortoise (Wikipedia)In BiomeTropical Rainforest, Biomes Well-attested Source Encyclopaedia Britannicatier 1In the Other AtlasesFound InBoliviaAlso in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.BrazilAlso in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.ColombiaAlso in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.EcuadorAlso in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.GuyanaAlso in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.PeruAlso in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.SurinameAlso in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.VenezuelaAlso in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.Sources1. Encyclopaedia Britannicatier 1Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.britannica.com/place/Amazon-Rainforest, opening definition sentenceAmazon Rainforest, large tropical rainforest occupying the drainage basin of the Amazon River and its tributaries in northern South America and covering an area of 2,300,000 square miles (6,000,000 square km).Biogeographic realm: neotropic (derived from location stated in entity description)In Biome: Tropical RainforestDemonstrates: Carbon CycleView the SourceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationtier 1National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationDemonstrates: Water CycleView the SourceAmazon River Dolphin (World Land Trust)World Land TrustHosts: Amazon River DolphinView the SourceWorld Wildlife FundWorld Wildlife FundHosts: JaguarHosts: Harpy EagleHosts: Poison Dart FrogHosts: Green AnacondaView the SourceWikipedia: Mission golden-eyed tree frogHosts: Amazon Milk Frog, Wikipedia intro: "r Amazon milk frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) is a large species of arboreal frog native to the Amazon rainforest in South America. It is sometimes referred..."View the SourceDyeing Poison Frog (Wikipedia)Hosts: Dyeing Poison Frog, Wikipedia intro: "ugh in some cases may climb trees as well. They are frequently found in treefall canopy gaps in the Amazon rainforest, as they utilize phytotelmata on the falle..."View the SourceGilded barbet (Wikipedia)Hosts: Gilded barbet, Distribution and habitatQuote, Hosts: Gilded barbet, Distribution and habitatIt is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, in the Orinoco River Basin and western Amazon Basin.View the SourceRanitomeya amazonica (Wikipedia)Hosts: Ranitomeya amazonica, Distribution and habitatQuote, Hosts: Ranitomeya amazonica, Distribution and habitatThis species has only been confirmed to reside in northeastern Peru within the Amazon Basin.View the SourceDark fruit-eating bat (Wikipedia)Hosts: Dark fruit-eating bat, Distribution and habitatQuote, Hosts: Dark fruit-eating bat, Distribution and habitatDark-fruit eating bats are found throughout the Amazon Basin.View the SourceWikipedia: Brazilian whiteknee tarantulatier 2WikipediaHosts: Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula, Distribution and habitatQuote, Hosts: Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula, Distribution and habitatA. geniculata is native to the Amazon basin of northern Brazil.View the SourceGiant Water Lily (Wikipedia)tier 2Wikimedia FoundationHosts: Giant Water Lily, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 279990, target E16282Quote, Hosts: Giant Water Lily, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 279990, target E16282Its native region is tropical South America, specifically Guyana and the Amazon Basin.View the SourceTheraphosa blondi (Wikipedia)tier 2Wikimedia FoundationHosts: Goliath Birdeater, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 279956, target E16282Quote, Hosts: Goliath Birdeater, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 279956, target E16282Most noticeable in the Amazon rainforest, the spider is terrestrial, living in deep burrows, and is found commonly in marshy or swampy areas.View the SourceYellow-footed tortoise (Wikipedia)Hosts: Yellow-footed tortoise, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 361261, target E16282Quote, Hosts: Yellow-footed tortoise, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 361261, target E16282It is found in the Amazon Basin of South America.View the SourceLaetacara curviceps (Wikipedia)Hosts: Laetacara curviceps, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 410255, target E16282Quote, Hosts: Laetacara curviceps, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 410255, target E16282 Laetacara curviceps, the Flag acara, Dwarf flag cichlid, is a species of cichlid that lives in slow-moving rivers and streams as well as ponds and lakes of the Amazon Basin.View the SourceWikipedia: Payaratier 2WikipediaHosts: Payara, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 339106, target E16282Quote, Hosts: Payara, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 339106, target E16282This predatory fish is found in the Amazon Basin in tropical South America.View the SourceWikipedia: Pygmy marmosetHosts: Pygmy Marmoset, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 326962, target E16282Quote, Hosts: Pygmy Marmoset, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 326962, target E16282The smallest monkey in the world at just over 100 g (3.5 oz), it is native to rainforests of the western Amazon Basin in South America.View the SourceApistogramma panduro (Wikipedia)Hosts: Apistogramma panduro, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 411928, target E16282Quote, Hosts: Apistogramma panduro, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 411928, target E16282 Apistogramma panduro (A-183), also commonly referred to as Apistogramma pandurini, is a small species of cichlid freshwater fish from the Amazon river basin in Peru.View the SourceFirewood catfish (Wikipedia)Hosts: Firewood catfish, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 366017, target E16282Quote, Hosts: Firewood catfish, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 366017, target E16282Firewood catfish are one of the hundreds of freshwater fish in the Amazon Basin that play important ecological and economic roles.View the SourceAdelphobates galactonotus (Wikipedia)Hosts: Adelphobates galactonotus, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 405171, target E16282Quote, Hosts: Adelphobates galactonotus, article text (ecosystem), EntityId 405171, target E16282It is endemic to the rainforest of the southern Amazon Basin in Brazil.View the SourceCougar (Wikipedia)tier 2Wikimedia FoundationHosts: Cougar, LeadQuote, Hosts: Cougar, LeadFurther south, its range extends through Mexico to the Amazon rainforest and the southern Andes Mountains in Patagonia.View the SourceWikipedia: Great Horned Owltier 2WikipediaHosts: Great Horned Owl, Distribution and habitatQuote, Hosts: Great Horned Owl, Distribution and habitatThey have only been recorded a handful of times in true rainforests such as the Amazon rainforest.View the SourceOcelot (Wikipedia)tier 2Wikimedia FoundationHosts: Ocelot, Distribution and habitatQuote, Hosts: Ocelot, Distribution and habitatIn the Amazon rainforest, it prefers habitats with availability of prey and water, and tends to avoid other predators.View the SourceBrazil nut (Wikipedia)Hosts: Brazil nut, LeadQuote, Hosts: Brazil nut, LeadIt is one of the largest and longest-lived trees in the Amazon rainforest.View the SourceQuassia amara (Wikipedia)Hosts: Quassia amara, DistributionQuote, Hosts: Quassia amara, DistributionIt is found in the Amazon Rainforest at altitudes ranging from sea level up to 900 m (3,000 ft).View the SourceScarlet Macaw (Wikidata)tier 2WikidataHosts: Scarlet Macaw, Article textQuote, Hosts: Scarlet Macaw, Article textThe species' South American range is extensive, spanning much of the Amazon basin and rainforest of the northern half of the continent, extending as far south as Peru (east of the Andes) and Bolivia.View the SourceRed-bellied Piranha (Wikipedia)tier 2Wikimedia FoundationHosts: Red-bellied Piranha, Article textQuote, Hosts: Red-bellied Piranha, Article textThe red-bellied piranha is typically found in white water rivers, such as the Amazon River Basin, and in some streams and lakes.View the SourceTitan beetle (Wikipedia)Hosts: Titan Beetle (Titanus giganteus), Distribution and habitatQuote, Hosts: Titan Beetle (Titanus giganteus), Distribution and habitatWhile the Titan Beetle is most generally associated with the Amazon Rainforest, it may also be found in other parts of South America if ecological conditions are favorable.View the SourceHevea brasiliensis (Wikipedia)Hosts: Para Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis), Distribution and habitatQuote, Hosts: Para Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis), Distribution and habitatThe South American rubber tree grew only in the Amazon rainforestView the SourceAnimal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Phyllobates terribilisAnimal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHosts: Golden Poison Frog, Geographic RangeQuote, Hosts: Golden Poison Frog, Geographic RangePhyllobates terribilis is found in the Amazonian rainforest along the Pacific coast of Colombia.View the SourceAnimal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Corallus caninusAnimal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHosts: Emerald Tree Boa, Geographic RangeQuote, Hosts: Emerald Tree Boa, Geographic RangeEmerald tree boas are found in lowland tropical rainforests in the Amazonian and Guianan regions of South America.View the SourceAnimal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Saguinus imperator accountAnimal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHosts: Emperor tamarin, Geographic RangeEmperor tamarins inhabit vast Amazonian tropical forest regions in southeast Peru, northwest Bolivia, and northwest Brazil.Hosts: Bearded emperor tamarin, Geographic RangeEmperor tamarins inhabit vast Amazonian tropical forest regions in southeast Peru, northwest Bolivia, and northwest Brazil.View the SourceAnimal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Ceratophrys cornutaAnimal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHosts: Surinam Horned Frog, Geographic RangeQuote, Hosts: Surinam Horned Frog, Geographic RangeAmazon horned frogs, Ceratophrys cornuta , are found in the Amazonian Basin of Colombia, Ecuador, the Guianas, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil (IUCN, Conservation International, and NatureServe, 2004).View the SourceAnimal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Procyon cancrivorus (Animal Diversity Web)Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHosts: Crab-eating Raccoon, Geographic RangeQuote, Hosts: Crab-eating Raccoon, Geographic RangeProcyon cancrivorus makes use of habitats ranging from the forest of Ilanos, to the xeric chaco vegetation, and even the Amazon rainforests.View the SourceAnimal Diversity Web: Dynastes herculesHosts: Hercules Beetle, Geographic RangeQuote, Hosts: Hercules Beetle, Geographic RangeThis includes all of Central America, the Pacific coast and Amazonia of Colombia, western Venezuela, the islands of Guadeloupe and Dominica, eastern Ecuador, central Peru, western Brazil, and west/central Bolivia.View the SourceWikipedia: King vultureHosts: King Vulture, HabitatQuote, Hosts: King Vulture, Habitatbut in the Amazon rainforest, it is typically outnumbered by the greater yellow-headed vultureView the SourceGBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): GBIF species descriptions for Opisthocomus hoazinGBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)Hosts: Hoatzin, Distribution descriptionQuote, Hosts: Hoatzin, Distribution descriptionBreeding subregions are AmazoniaView the SourceTake a Related QuizWetlands, Reefs and Deltas: New EcosystemsCovers this kind of entry.Comments (0)No comments yet. 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