BLACK HOWLER MONKEY – Alouatta caraya
This primate species is renowned by the very loud grunts and roars that it emits, chiefly in the early morning. The ability to produce this sound, which can travel for miles in the forest, is because the hyoid bone (located in the throat) is enlarged on these monkeys, acting as a resonance box.

» Click for sound in mp3.

GIANT OTTERS - Pteronura brasiliensis
These carnivores are highly adapted for aquatic live, having webbed feet (similar to those of a duck) and a flattened tail that helps on swimming. They feed chiefly on fish, which they pursue by diving, and are always found in groups that emit very distinctive calls.

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SOUTH AMERICAN COATI – Nasua nasua
Coatis are found in forests and can also be seen in open fields, where the ringed tails pointed up quickly gives them away. They travel in groups and eat a little bit of everything: fruits, insects, small vertebrates and other items.

CAPYBARA - Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris
These are the world’s largest rodents, reaching a weight of up to 60 kilos (130 lb). They live always in groups near fresh water, having webbed feet and feeding only on vegetable matter (leaves and sprouts). The bird seen sitting on its back is a Black-capped Donacobius (Donacobius atricapilla), another typical species of aquatic environments.

» Click for sound of bird in mp3 (Japacanim)

JAGUAR – Panthera onca
Probably the Pantanal’s most famous animal, it is also the mostly pursued species by nature photographers! Difficult to find, the Jaguar is still hunted due to their attacks to livestock raised in the region. Some research projects have been putting efforts to solve this issue, attempting to conciliate the needs of ranchers’ with conservation practices.

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CRAB-EATING FOX - Cerdocyon thous
Also known in Brazil as a “wild dog”, this animal is usually seen in pairs, wandering across the fields in search for food that can include fruits, small vertebrates, insects and others. They frequently approach ranch houses looking for leftovers or going after henhouses.

GIANT ANTEATER – Myrmecophaga tridactyla
A typical example of an animal totally adapted to its feeding habit. To capture ants and termites, the anteater has very powerful claws on the forelimbs (to rip open the insects’ nests) and a very long, sticky tongue which is slipped into the galleries to catch the preys. They lack teeth and the eyesight is poor.
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WHITE-LIPPED PECCARY - Tayassu pecari
They live in herds that wander throughout the forests, revolving the soil in search for food such as beetles and worms, besides roots and tubercles. When feeling threatened, they clack their teeth strongly to produce a frightening sound, and release a very intense and unpleasant odor. Despite this apparent aggressiveness, reports of attacks to humans are almost inexistent.