Can You Identify These Amazonian Animals?

By: Elizabeth Lavis
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Identify These Amazonian Animals?
Image: Wiki Commons by Christian Mehlführer

About This Quiz

The Amazon rain forest has been nicknamed the "lungs of the planet," and it is really easy to see why. The lush, deep jungle of the Amazon is full of some of the most incredible plants and animals on earth. The foliage is dominated by massive leaves that are taller than a person, great old-growth trees that have been around for centuries, and more flowers and greenery than anywhere else in the world. Living in all of this bountiful nature are unique animals that call this green slice of paradise their home. Trekking deep into the Amazon means meeting some of these wondrous creatures.

From venomous creepy-crawlies like the Brazilian Wandering Spider to elegant and aloof sloths, the Amazon is teeming with animals big and small. The river itself is full of creatures that you will not see anywhere else on the planet. The Amazonian dolphin is an incredible shade of pink and can be seen leaping through certain parts of the river. Swimming below you'll find the Bull Shark, an apex predator of the Amazon and one of the most dangerous creatures in the region.

How well do you know your Amazonian animals? It's time to head deep into the jungle to find out!

Anaconda
Shutterstock
Which Amazonian slitherer is pictured here?
Anaconda
Monitor lizard
Iguana
Komodo dragon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anacondas are a species of water boas that live in tropical regions of the world, specifically the Amazon. Although humans are not their natural prey, they have been known to attack us if provoked.

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Pink River Dolphin
Wiki Commons by Auch
This Amazonian animal is a river dweller. Who can name it?
Orca
Pink river dolphin
Amazonian eel
Tropical catfish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Amazonian pink river dolphins get their distinctive color from their diet. It is a rare treat to see one of these animals in the wild, and you can take many tours down the river to try to get a glimpse of one.

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Dart Frog
Shutterstock
This little leaper is a prominent creature in the Amazon. Who can name it?
Xenopus
Poison dart frog
True toad
Ghost frog
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Poison dart frogs might look beautiful, but they are covered in tons of toxins that deter predators and keep them safe in the wild. Their poison has been used for ritualistic purposes for centuries.

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Keel-billed Toucan
©Juan Carlos Vindas/Moment/Getty Images
Which bright Amazonian bird is instantly recognizable?
Toucan
Macaw
Parakeet
Swallow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Toucans are notable for their massive, brightly colored bills. They live in most tropical regions but are especially prevalent in the deep Amazon. They are also highly social animals.

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Parakeet
Pixabay by MabelAmber
This household pet comes from the Amazon. What is it?
Toucan
Parakeet
Condor
Blue jay
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Parakeets are popular pets, and can even learn to mimic human language. These smart creatures generally do better when kept in flocks of more than one, which is how they live in the wild.

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8 manatee
33karen33 / E+ / Getty Images
Which aquatic animal pictured here is native to the Amazon river?
Orca
Manatee
Dolphin
Electric eel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Amazonian manatee is the smallest version of manatee on the planet. It lives in the Amazon River in places like Brazil, Peru and Colombia and is notable for its white patched belly.

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Leafcutter Ants
Wiki Commons by Kathy & sam
Which industrious creatures can be found all over the Amazon floor?
Leafcutter ants
Peanut bugs
June bug
Beetle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Leafcutter ants are fascinating creatures that are capable of destroying leaves and carrying them across the rain forest floor. They work well together and transport leaves in one single line.

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Howler Monkey
Shutterstock
Their howl can shake up the rainforest. Who are these Amazonian monkeys?
Spider monkeys
Gibbons
Howler monkeys
Sloths
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Howler monkeys might cause a racket, but they are actually harmless to humans. They are one of the loudest animals on the planet and communicate with each other from high in the trees.

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Porcupine
n/a
These creatures are native to parts of Brazil. Who can name them?
Tapir
Porcupine
Anteater
Capybara
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Amazonian porcupines are unique because they have amazing prehensile tails that they can use to swing from tree to tree. These animals are generally not threatening but can be dangerous when provoked.

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Spider Monkey
Shutterstock
This Amazonian monkey swings high in the trees. What is it?
Spider monkey
Orangutan
Gorilla
Gibbon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spider Monkeys are known as "New World" monkeys because they are found predominately in the Americas. They live high up in the trees and got their name from how they hang by their tails.

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Anteater
shutterstock
It's nose gives it a fascinating shape. What is this unique Amazonian animal?
Anteater
Tapir
Capybara
Sloth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anteaters have been around longer than just about any creature on Earth, and they live mostly in the Amazon. Their long, tapered snouts enable them to get at ants and termites in small spaces.

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macaw
Andrew JK Tan/Moment/Gettty Images
It's the unofficial mascot of the Amazon. Who can name this colorful bird?
Parakeet
Toucan
Condor
Macaw
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These brightly colored Amazonian birds are some of the most recognizable animals in the whole region. They have an impressive lifespan of 50 years and are highly intelligent.

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armadillo
Elizabeth W. Kearley/Moment/Gettty Images
This shelled animal is prevalent in the Amazon. Who knows what it is?
Tapir
Armadillo
Porcupine
Sloth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Armadillos are shelled creatures that can be found in many warmer parts of the Americas. In the Amazon, they grow to massive sizes, flourish, and populate a lot of the undergrowth.

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Jaguar
Kim Schandorff/Moment/Getty Images
It's the spotted beauty that stalks the Amazon. Who knows the name of this majestic cat?
Puma
Tiger
Lion
Jaguar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jaguars are the largest cats on the American continent, and their habitat stretches from Central America to Argentina. They are an apex animal in the Amazon, where their population is dwindling.

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Blue Morpho butterfly
Shutterstock
This bright winged creature can be found all over the Amazon. What is it?
Monarch butterflies
Blue Morpho butterflies
Owl butterflies
Cloudless sulphur butterflies
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Blue Morpho butterflies are some of the most spectacular creatures in the Amazon. They are notable for their bright blue hue and tend to fly in groups. You can find them in many parts of the rain forest.

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Boa Constrictor
Wiki commons
This massive snake is the stuff of legends. What is it?
Boa constrictor
Anaconda
Pit viper
Jesus lizard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Boa constrictors are massive snakes that kill their prey by suffocating and squeezing them. Although these creatures are known to be fearsome, they do not normally actively hunt humans.

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Electric Eel
Wiki Commons by Steven G. Johnson
This aquatic animal can give you quite a shock. What is it?
Manatee
Bull shark
Electric eel
Catfish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Electric eels are actually knife fish and are indigenous to the Amazon. While the shock from one of these animals is not generally fatal, electric eels can deliver a big enough blast to render you unconscious.

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Pit Viper
Wiki Commons by Rushen
These snakes are known for being exceptionally dangerous. What are they?
Anacondas
Pit vipers
Boa constrictors
Cobras
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pit vipers are very dangerous because they are venomous and also can be exceptionally aggressive if disturbed. Amazonian wanderers could easily come across, and disrupt, one of these creatures without knowing it.

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River Otter
Wiki Commons by Bernard DUPONT
Who can name the aquatic river mammal pictured here?
Manatee
River otter
Ocra
Tapir
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

River otters are carnivorous animals that live in the Amazon River. Although they might look cute, river otters are actually very intuitive predators that are capable of dominating their space.

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Golden Tamarin Monkeys
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society via Youtube
Which tiny monkeys come in a beautiful bronze hue?
Orangutans
Howler monkeys
Woolly monkeys
Golden tamarin monkeys
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Golden tamarin monkeys are "new world" animals that live high in the trees of the Amazon. There are several different types, but the ones pictured here are the plush golden variety.

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Sloth
Shutterstock
These slow-moving creatures can be found in the trees of the Amazon. What are they?
Sloths
Tapirs
Howler monkeys
Kinkajou
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sloths are slow-moving, graceful animals that adorn many of the treetops in the Amazon. They are notoriously shy herbivores and they will not interact with humans if they can help it.

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Capuchin Monkey
Shutterstock
Who can name this friendly white-faced monkey?
Spider monkey
Howler monkey
Capuchin monkey
Gorilla
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Capuchin monkeys are also known as white-faced monkeys and are generally very social. Some of them have even learned how to live and thrive alongside humans, and benefit from their association with us.

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Green Iguana
shutterstock
Which green lizard lives all over the Amazon?
Iguana
Jesus lizard
Gecko
Monitor lizard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Iguanas are tropical creatures that live in the trees of the Amazon. They are generally fairly shy around humans, although some people do keep these cute reclusive reptiles as pets.

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Assassin Bug
Shutterstock
What bug pictured here has an appropriate name?
Assassin bug
Bullet ant
Beetle
Flying cockroach
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Assassin bugs might be small, but they can still be fairly problematic to humans. Their venom will kill similar sized prey quickly and can leave people with a painful sting. They can also transmit Chagas Disease.

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Piranha
Shutterstock
This little fish is a famous carnivore. Who knows the name?
Tambaqui
Candiru
Piranha
Catfish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Piranhas are small fish with very sharp teeth. In movies, they are showed as being fierce predators that descend in swarms to eat humans alive. In real life, a school of piranhas is unlikely to kill a human.

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tapir
shutterstock
What herbivore is very common in the Amazon?
Sloth
Orangutan
Tapir
Anteater
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tapirs are large creatures that resemble pigs and are very common in the Amazon. They are herbivores that will spend much of their time on land, but also like to swim in the water.

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capybara
João Allbert/Moment/Gettty Images
These friendly animals are very prevalent in the Amazon. What are they?
Capybara
Tapir
Sloth
Anteater
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Capybara are the largest rodents in the world and are mostly known for their ability to get along with all sorts of other animals. They are traditionally a little shy around humans though!

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Woolly monkey
shutterstock
This fluffy primate is one of the most intelligent on Earth. What is it?
Woolly monkey
Orangutan
Howler monkey
Gibbon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Woolly monkeys are larger creatures that live in big social groups in the Amazon. They are one group of "new world" monkeys that are very prevalent in the trees of the Amazon rain forest.

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Kinkajou
Brave Wilderness via Youtube
What cute Amazonian creature lives high in the trees?
Kinkajou
Spider monkey
Sloth
Tapir
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kinkajous are arguably some of the most adorable creatures in the Amazon. They live high in the trees and are generally nocturnal. These animals thrive in the canopy of the Amazonian rain forest.

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Amazonian Tortoise
Wiki Commons by John5199
It's an ancient species. Who can name of this rain forest turtle?
Amazonian tortoise
Sea turtle
Snapping turtle
Colombian tortoise
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Amazonian Tortoise is a large, shelled animal that lives along the banks of the Amazon River. It is generally shy around people but is usually not considered to be very aggressive.

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Giant Centipede
Shutterstock
This venomous creature is common in the Amazon. What is it?
Giant centipede
Amazonian worm
Basilisk
Assassin bug
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Giant centipedes are common in many tropical climates but are especially problematic in the Amazon. Their poison will not generally kill a human, but it can cause substantial damage and scarring.

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Caiman
n/a
This large reptile that dominates the Amazon river. What is it?
Crocodile
Alligator
Monitor lizard
Caiman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The caiman is a species of lizard that shares some characteristics with alligators and crocodiles. They have very sharp teeth and can be dangerous if startled. It's best to give caimans a wide berth.

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Harpy Eagle
Shutterstock
What Amazonian bird of prey is pictured here?
Harpy eagle
Hawk
Condor
Bald eagle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Harpy eagles are one of the largest birds of prey in the world. They are extremely strong and can even lift monkeys and sloths right out of the trees. This massive predator is found in all parts of the Amazon.

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Bull Shark
Shutterstock
Sharks are not just for the high seas! Who can name this one found in the Amazon river?
Bull shark
Reef shark
Great white shark
Tiger shark
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bull sharks are common in the Amazon River and are one of the major predators in the region. Like many large animals that live in the river, they pose a threat to any humans who enter their territory.

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Jesus Lizard
Wiki Commons by Greg Schechter
Which little lizard has a unique name?
Komodo dragon
Special gecko
Jesus lizard
Monitor lizard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Jesus lizard gets its name from a unique ability to be able to run across water. It can be found all over the banks of the Amazon river and is one of the most unique creatures in the region.

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Glass frog
Wiki Commons by JurriaanH
Which frog, pictured here, can be found all over the Amazon?
Poison dart frog
Cane toad
Glass frog
Tree frog
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Glass frogs are generally bright green. In addition to their emerald hue, they can sometimes have a more transparent skin, which is where they get their name. Glass frogs are considered endangered.

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Brazilian Wandering Spider
Wiki Commons by Dick Culbert
What creepy crawly creature is one of the most fearsome in the Amazon?
Tarantula
Huntsman spider
Dandy long legs
Brazilian wandering spider
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brazilian wandering spiders are among the most venomous creatures in the world. Like many poisonous spiders, they will not actively harm humans unless provoked or startled — which is easy to do in the Amazon jungle!

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Basilisk
Ferran Vega Vallribera / Moment / Getty Images
What reptile pictured here is very common in the Amazon?
Gecko
Komodo dragon
Basilisk
Monitor lizard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Basilisks might have been popularized in "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets", but real-life basilisks are not nearly as fearsome. They are very common in the Amazon rain forest.

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Candiru
Animal Planet, ITV, Discovery Channel, Discovery MAX
This tiny fish is one of the most feared in the Amazon. Who can name it?
Piranha
Candiru
Electric eel
Tambaqui
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Candiru are also known as toothpick fish and are one of the most feared creatures in the Amazon for one simple reason; they can — and do — swim into people's bodies through various openings.

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Bullet Ant
Shutterstock
This ant packs a powerful sting. Who can name it?
Fire ant
Leafcutter ant
Giant ant
Bullet ant
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bullet ants get their name because their sting feels like getting shot with a bullet. They are prevalent in the Amazon and are considered to be a dangerous or even sometimes deadly pest.

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Wiki Commons by Christian Mehlführer