Brazil, the largest country in South America, has the largest biodiversity of the planet. In it are the largest number of known species of mammals and fresh water fish. In addition, it is the second country in the world with the largest diversity of amphibians, the third in terms of bird diversity and the reptile room.
On the other hand, as far as plants are concerned, it has more than 50 thousand species of trees and shrubs that fill the jungles and others of their ecosystems, thus becoming the country with the greatest plant diversity worldwide. It is estimated that the total number of plant and animal species in Brazil is approximately four million. Let’s keep surprising and learn more about the Brazil Flora and Fauna In this article of Ecology Verde.
Characteristics of Brazil’s ecosystems
Brazil’s climate is tropical And this has a great influence on the fact that this country has megadiversity. Here we explain more about what megadiversity and examples are.
Thus, the different Brazilian ecosystems They are so varied due to their great territorial extension and their tropical climate, which is hot and humid. Brazilian ecosystems are as follows:
- The Amazon: the largest tropical jungle in the world and represents 80% of the Brazilian territory. You may be interested in knowing what animals are in danger of extinction in the Amazon.
- The closed: With savannas.
- Atlantic bush: most prominent tropical jungle region.
- La Caatinga: With tree, shrub and herbaceous strata.
- The Pantanal: With permeable alluvial soils in extensive plains.
- La Pampa: One of the greatest temperate grasslands.
Next, we detail the Plants and animals typical of Brazil that are found in these tropical ecosystems.
Flora of Brazil
The vegetation in the river valleys and Amazon basin is lush, in the highlands we find plants of the euphorbiaceas family (one of the main natural rubber sources in the country).
In arid areas, cactus and other thorny plants are common, while mangroves, dwarf palm trees and Brazil stick trees (Caesalpinia Echinata) grow in the coastal region. Other species of plants that are part of the Brazilian flora are:
- Characteristic of the region, the Varagem IPê (Specious tababuia) is the National Tree of Brazil. Its precious flowers are intense yellow. It is one of the typical plants that ends up flooding the streets of Rio de Janeiro in which it blooms during the months of October.
- Among the Brazil plants It also highlights the Carnauba wax palm (Copernia prunifera), whose fan -shaped leaves are wax covered, which is used by man for various purposes.
- The Cajú or Anacardo chestnut (Western Anacardium) It is a tree from Brazil that comes to live up to 30 years and reaches seven meters high.
- Among the most colorful flowers in the world, we find in Brazil the passion (Passiflora falls). It is a climbing bush whose beautiful flowers have numerous and fine violet petals that form a crown, with five stamens and three pistils in the center.
In this other post of ecology, we show you much more about the plants of the Amazon region, which includes a wide area of Brazil.
Brazil fauna
The Brazil fauna It is also extremely varied. We can find a great diversity of native bird species in the country, as is the case with the following:
BRAZIL BIRDS
He Colorado Zorzal (Turdus rofiventris) is the national bird of Brazil, striking for the coloration of its plumage and its melodious song. Worldly known, the Tucán touo (Ramphastos touo) It is the largest species within the group of the toucans, reaching the 63 centimeters, with a peak of 20 centimeters. The Brazilian tropical jungles inhabit large flocks.
Brazil mammals
He Amazonian tapir (Tapirus terrestris), It is an evolutionarily related mammal with horses and rhinoos. Inhabits the Brazilian plains and their main predators are The Jaguars (Panthera onca), known as Yaguareté among the local population. We can find more large Brazilian mammals, such as pumas, ocelotes, foxes, hormiguerous, lazy and tsoat. As to The monkeysof the 244 species classified in the world, 69 species inhabit the country.
Brazilian reptiles
Among the reptiles we find several species of caimanes and snakes, especially The Surucucú or Snake of Muda (Lachesis muta), and the Common green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), The largest snake in the world, which inhabits the river basins of Amazonas as it passes through Brazil.
Brazilian arthropods
As an arthropod to highlight, the Pink salmon tarantula (Lasiodora Parahybana) Inhabits the country’s northeast and is considered the third largest tarantula in the world.
Here you can consult more about the animals in danger of extinction in the Amazon, since most are also from Brazil.
Endemic species from Brazil
Among the species of Brazil Endemic Plants Highlights the Quaresma (TIbauchina granulosa). This plant grows exclusively in southeast Brazil and presents very striking flowers of violet color.
As for Brazil animals that are endemicthat is, we can only find in this corner of the planet, the Tres Bandas Brazilian Armadillo (Tolepeute tricinctus). The upper part of your body is covered by an armor composed of epidermal scales with keratin, being able to roll up in a ball. This armor creates a layer of air between the cover and the body of the animal that allows it to thermoregulate to survive in arid climates.
Also endemic in the area, we find the spider monkey (Arachnoid Brachyteles). It is the largest species among the monkeys that inhabit the Americas. He has a black face and his tail is completely presile.
If you want to read more articles similar to Brazil Flora and Faunawe recommend that you enter our biodiversity category.
- C. Groves et al. (2005). Mammal Species of the World (3rd edition). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University.
- A. Meyer (2010). Brazil fauna. Recovered from: Brazil.org.za
- FR MELO & LG Dias (2005). Muriqui Populans reported in the literature over the last 40 Years. Neotropical Primates 13: 19-24.
- Brazil, Flora and Fauna. Nations Encyclopedy.
- Brazil spreads an inventory of its fauna with 116,000 species. Retrieved from: Efe green.
