Sloth Island Nature Reserve, Guyana

Wildlife and Plant Life in Guyana

Plant life in Guyana

The flora belongs to the Neotropical Flora kingdom. Mangrove vegetation and many grass species adapted to salt and brackish water protect the coast from erosion. Within the coastal zone there are wetlands with coarse, tufted grass and palm species. coconut palms. Tropical rainforest covers approx. three quarters of the land area. It is incredibly species rich with many economically valuable trees. Inland there is savannah which consists of grasslands with some tree clusters and areas without vegetation.

Sloth Island Nature Reserve, Guyana

Wildlife in Guyana

The wildlife in Guyana is very rich, especially in the rainforest. Mammals include possums (opossums), anteaters, armadillo, sloth, puma, jaguar, weasel, half bears (crab bear, snohalebjørn, nose bears), small felines, peccary and tapir. There is great species richness among monkeys (spider monkeys, capus monkeys, silk monkeys), rodents and bat.

The swamps contain the world’s largest rodent, the river pig, and the world’s largest snake, the anaconda. Caymans live in the rivers, American manatee or lamantine (a sea ​​cow) in rivers and along the coast.

More than 750 bird species have been observed in Guyana. Parrots, hummingbirds, trogons and toucans are especially notable. Among the birds of prey are king, black and turkey condor, several kites, harpy eagles, red throats, black and vulture karakara.

Spider caps have long arms and legs and grip tail

Amphibians, lizards and snakes are numerous, the insect species richness and color splendor are overwhelming.