Caiman in the Brazilian Pantanal. (Photo by R. Butler)
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Riverside wildlife in the rainforest
RIVER VEGETATION
Few riverine (bank) plant species will be found in the forest. These tend to resemble gap-colonizers and edge species
that grow well in the strong sunlight of open areas. There is not a great diversity of riverside plant species,
and rivers are often bordered by walls of vines which cover trees because of the access to bright tropical sunlight.
The presence of this thick vegetation is largely why early explorers in the Amazon referred to the rainforest as
an "impenetrable jungle."
Periodically inundated floodplain forests are quite different from terra firme forests found on well-drained soils. Since floodplain forests have high turnover rates, they are characterized by lower tree diversity and a less-developed canopy. Island forests typically consist of this type of forest. In the Amazon, floodplain forests have high densities of fruiting trees which attract large numbers of mammals.
ANIMAL LIFE
Many terrestrial animals depend on rainforest waters for survival, and some are found almost exclusively along rivers
and lakes.
Reptiles are abundant along rainforest waterways. Lizards, including water dragons (Australia), monitors (Africa, Asia, Australia), iguanas (New World), and other species are especially common.
One of the most interesting is the basilisk lizard of the New World. This lizard, popularly known as the
Jesus Christ lizard, has the ability to run across water for considerable distances by using its long toes and
tail. Any visitor to the rainforest can get countless hours of enjoyment by chasing these lizards off beaches and
watching them use their quick stepping to support their weight as they escape across the water.
The giant snakes of the world, pythons of the Old World and boas and the Anaconda of the New, are found along
waterways where they feed on large prey that comes down to drink at the river. Crocodiles, in various forms, are
found worldwide, but perhaps the most impressive is the saltwater crocodile of Australia and New Guinea, which is
famous for occasional attacks on humans. These giant crocodiles, which are found in marine,
brackish, and freshwater habitats, may exceed 20 feet in length.
Bird life along rivers is prolific because of the availability of foods in the form of fish, insects, and fruits
produced by riverside vine species. One interesting phenomenon is the gathering of macaws along the clay river
banks of the upper Amazon where they lick the mineral-rich clay that binds to and detoxifies the harsh chemical
content of the fruits they consume. River areas are among the best places for rainforest bird watchers, because
they are open and bird life is abundant.
Mammals also are found along rivers. Jaguars are most often seen around rivers where they hunt and fish. Another
predator found along rivers is the giant river otter of South America. This otter, which has no natural predators
and is an efficient hunter, has been rendered rare by over-hunting, and can only found in scattered areas today
where human presence is limited.
Review questions:
- How are floodplain forests different from upland forests?
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Continued: Importance of Rainforest Rivers to People
This article was written by Rhett A. Butler [bibliographic citation for this page] and was last updated on the most recent date listed in the column on the right side.
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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
INTERACT
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Recent news
Brazilian mining company connected to Belo Monte dam voted worst corporation
(01/31/2012) The world's second largest mining company, Vale, has been given the dubious honor of being voted the world's most awful corporation in terms of human rights abuses and environmental destruction by the Public Eye Awards. Vale received over 25,000 votes online, likely prompted in part by its stake in the hugely controversial Brazilian mega-dam, Belo Monte, which is being constructed on the Xingu River. An expert panel gave a second award to British bank Barclay's for speculation on food prices, which the experts stated was worsening hunger worldwide.
Saving the world's biggest river otter
(01/30/2012) Charismatic, vocal, unpredictable, domestic, and playful are all adjectives that aptly describe the giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), one of the Amazon's most spectacular big mammals. As its name suggest, this otter is the longest member of the weasel family: from tip of the nose to tail's end the otter can measure 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. Living in closely-knit family groups, sporting a complex range of behavior, and displaying almost human-like capricious moods, the giant river otter has captured a number of researchers and conservationists' hearts, including Dutch conservationist Jessica Groenendijk.
Brazil begins preliminary damming of Xingu River as protests continue
(01/19/2012) Damming of the Xingu River has begun in Brazil to make way for the eventual construction of the hugely controversial, Belo Monte dam. The Norte Energia (NESA) consortium has begun building coffer dams across the Xingu, which will dry out parts of the river before permanent damming, reports the NGO International Rivers. Indigenous tribes, who have long opposed the dam plans on their ancestral river, conducted a peaceful protest that interrupted construction for a couple hours.
Deforestation, climate change threaten the ecological resilience of the Amazon rainforest
(01/19/2012) The combination of deforestation, forest degradation, and the effects of climate change are weakening the resilience of the Amazon rainforest ecosystem, potentially leading to loss of carbon storage and changes in rainfall patterns and river discharge, finds a comprehensive review published in the journal Nature.
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Picture of the day: nearly-extinct turtle released into the wild in Cambodia
(01/18/2012) Only around 200 southern river terrapins (Batagur affinis) survive in the wild, but today at least the species got some good news. A female terrapin was released back into the Sre Ambel River with much fanfare after being caught by a local fishermen in Cambodia.
More rainforest news
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