South America is a unique mainland. Thanks to its enourmous length from north to south, it represents extremely varied climatic zones. Because of this phenomenon, local flora and fauna are very rich and diverse.
The rainfall equatorial forests (Selva) are placed in the northern part of the South America territory. There are a lot of endemic trees such as cocoa, hevea and ceiba there. Monkeys, frogs snakes whith the biggest one – anaconda – can be met everywhere. Trees are the home for sloths, which never go down from them. Living at trees sloths are called so because of their slow movement: the speed of these animals isn’t over than 3 meters per minute.
Abundance of birds live in so-called Amazonian jungle. Most of them are endemic, live only that area. The smallest bird on the Earth is the local resident too, it’s hummingbird. Besides, South America fauna is diverse by different species of parrots and toucans.
Ever-wet Tropical forests are changing for seasonal rain forests and then for the stunning Savannah (Campos, Llanos). The quebracho tree is considered the most famous plant in this part of South America. Animals are represented here by armadillos and anteaters, among birds are ostriches rheas.
Savannah passes into the steppe (it’s local name is Pampas) at the southern parts. The main fauna representatives of this area are mammals: llamas and deers are favorites of local people. Animals always have here a necessary nutriment, because soils are more fertile than the northen ones, and there are planty of different herbs.
There is a desert area in the very south of the continent. This zone is called Patagonia. Climatic conditions of Patagonia are the least favorable, it’s rare raine and winter frost. Therefore, flora and fauna is not so varied, only small rodents and cereals with evergreen shrubs inhabit these places.
Birds of South America
Fishes of South America
Insects of South America
Plants of South America