Video Tour of Wildlife
at La Selva Amazon Ecolodge
La Selva is in one of the most biodiverse areas on the entire planet, so right outside of your door, you have thousands upon thousands of exotic species waiting to discover. Here’s a small sampling of some of the “Mega Fauna” that you are likely to see on a trip to La Selva in the form of a video tour.
Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)
The prehistoric looking Hoatzin is a common site in the right around La Selva Lodge. The Hoatzin have a diet of leaves which is the foundation for the symbiosis that exists between them and the bacteria that helps them break down the cellulose in the plants they eat. It’s the consequential fermentation that occurs in their body (as a result of this symbiosis) that gives the Hoatzin a rather strong and pungent odor that consequently keeps many creatures away from them. The locals refer to them as the “Stinky Turkey.”
Pygmy Marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea)
The pygmy marmoset is the smallest species of monkey in the world and also unique because of the presence of Alpha females in their groups. These Alpha females have the power to attract males due to a very special pheromone that’s also capable of inhibiting the ovulation of other females in the group.
Agami Heron (Agamia agami)
The mesmerizing blue hues, body and beak of the Agami are what make it the most beautiful heron in all of the Amazon. They are incredibly skilled at fishing for prey with their long bill, and as a result they are often found around the surrounding shores of the lodge.
White Fronted Capuchin Monkey (Cebus albifrons)
The Capuchin Monkey is one of the brightest and most intelligent species in the jungle. They often spend their entire day looking for food in the rainforest or along the river, with a midday nap thrown in halfway. Night time sees the sleep up in trees, slung around branches. The most remarkable thing about them is their use of tools with their diet – as is often seen with the cracking of nuts. The young learn this behavior by mere observation of their elders.
Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta Alouattinae)
You’ll hear them howling in the morning as you’re eating breakfast. The purpose of this isn’t to startle you as you eat, but to emphasize the domain of their territory as well as communicate with other howler monkeys. With tails spanning length of up to 5x their own body size, Howler Monkeys are quite the creature to lay eyes on in the jungle. You’ll often see them using their tails as assistants in getting fruits and nuts from trees. They are social creatures and live in groups of six to fifteen.
Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus and the family Bradypodidae)
You’ll hear them howling in the morning as you’re eating breakfast. The purpose of this isn’t to startle you as you eat, but to emphasize the domain of their territory as well as communicate with other howler monkeys. With tails spanning length of up to 5x their own body size, Howler Monkeys are quite the creature to lay eyes on in the jungle. You’ll often see them using their tails as assistants in getting fruits and nuts from trees. They are social creatures and live in groups of six to fifteen.
Parrots
You’ll get to experience the parrots of the Amazon Jungle noisily flying overhead and then on a short trip to the salt lick along the Napo River. Parrots congregate along these cliffs of clay by the thousands to lap up the nutrients and minerals necessary to neutralize the toxins that they ingest from foods eaten in the wild. It’s also a social gathering place for young parrots to meet prospective mates, and a place for prospective predators of the parrots to meet their breakfast.
Butterflies
Butterflies of all colors and sizes will flutter around you.
