The small jet flies east over the Peruvian Andes towards the vast Amazon rainforest. When we come out of the snow-capped peaks, we look out the window. There is a large misty green carpet below us. On closer inspection, the landscape is reminiscent of many densely packed broccoli flowers. In addition to the embroidery, the "curves" of the meandering rivers and the lighter green "eyelets" formed by the elongated tips of the palm trees add a nice variation to the landscape. Soon the plane will begin its descent. The green carpet turns into a surprising number of trees with different sizes and descriptions before our eyes.
The Amazon rainforest is known as the richest growing area in the world. Tens of thousands of varieties have been identified. Almost every square kilometer (2.6 square kilometers) blooms on a hundred different tree species. Depending on the geographical height differences, there may be dense thickets of mangroves, ebony, fine mahogany, aromatic cedar and rosewood, chestnut, large chestnut, various types of willow and beautiful rubber trees. Among them are many types of tropical palms and fruit trees. The branches flow profusely with tendrils and tendrils. The vegetation is so dense that the treetops struggle against an almost invisible sky.
The variety of plants on the ground floor is simply spectacular. Leaves and herbs of unusual shapes of all kinds and varieties are mixed. The soil crunch is an endless number of plants with foliage in combinations of green, red, pink, purple, yellow and white. Other low-growing plants serve as borders for short rows of nails shaped like cacti, short palms, shrubs, and large leafy plants such as giant “elephant ears”. Sparkling ferns add a delicate touch to lighter greens. Climbers are hungry for space.
In many places, bright flowers light up the scene. There are pink and red flower beds, small yellow flowers hide between the twisted roots. Bright orange, dark red and white flowers hang from the branches. Then there are beautiful delicate orchid branches which you can find against tree trunks or cascading branches. The leaves do not move in humid air.
The sign of life of creatures
And the life of creatures? Fat-bellied Tangarana ants abound from the Palo de Santo tree. In exchange for a permanent home, these ants protect the tree from the slightest touch of an intruder. On the jungle floor, leaf-cutter ants walk a single track, each carrying a large piece of leaf. Countless beetles fly here and there or quickly. Of particular note is the largest of all beetles, Titanus giganteus, which is around six inches long. Every now and then you can catch the glow of a firefly visible in the thick twilight of the thick forest. Bright butterflies and large and strange butterflies fly away. Frogs are trembling nearby. Curious green and gray lizards glide underfoot, while small salamanders climb trees.
Somewhere there are giant anacondas up to 12 meters in length and 0.8 meters in diameter which are claimed by some of the larger snakes. Of the 250 species of reptiles that inhabit the Amazon rainforest, only a few are poisonous. Unless surprised or annoyed, predatory tribes only kill for food and humans are not part of their diet.
Contrary to popular belief, the jungle is not completely populated by large and dangerous animals. In the South American jungle, the largest animal is the tapir-sized tapir with pumas and jaguars like the others. Tables, long-nosed anthills, armadillos and ocelots share the undergrowth. Foxes, raccoons, deer and many types of rodents find their place in the jungle floor. Under normal circumstances, none of them are known to pose a threat to humans. Of the 14,712 species likely to live in the Amazon, more than 8,000 are considered unique.
Life for a creature in the trees.
The highest concentration of wildlife lives in trees. The hoarse cry identifies worlds of parrots, macaws, toucans and countless other known and little known bird species. Add to this conversation from parakeets, pigeons, curitibanes and the like, plus the noise of the woodpecker, and you begin to hear the dizzying world above you. Different types of monkeys with strange faces and loose limbs swing smoothly from limb to limb, chatting and growling. Flying over the treetops and guarding vultures waiting for the food. Their voracious appetite keeps the area clean of rotten meat.
Here and there are lakes with giant water lilies that hide beautiful tropical fish. Everywhere there are small streams colored with a brownish color. Finally, everything flows into the Amazon, the jungle road.
Life in the water
In the Amazon rainforest, there are stingrays, electric eels, alligators, turtles and sharp objects with sharp teeth that can tear meat from an animal in minutes of gargling activity. You should contact the local natives before swimming in any of these waters. Jungle water does not have to be large pools! But you will see small groups of native children splashing in some of the jungle's slow rivers. This leads us to the inhabitants of the "Grande Rio" region, an interesting contribution to the temperament of the jungle.
It’s people
Three or four centuries ago, at least 230 different indigenous tribes inhabited the area. They lived in small, isolated communities, usually confined to certain geographical areas. Among the tribal domains that are still recognized today are the Jivaros, Aucas, Campas, Chamas, Machiguengas and Shipibos. There can only be about twenty well-defined tribes left. Their needs are few and far between: perhaps a log house, a hammock or two, a fan and a spear. Their diet consists mainly of yucca, bananas, turtles and fish.
The Amazon rainforest is truly a fascinating region, a quiet place. The calm and humid atmosphere is sometimes disturbed by tropical storms. But these sounds and the exotic sounds of a large number of animals do not really shake the large and quiet jungle. Although many types of creatures live in the jungle, it is not a dangerous environment for those who obey no disturbing signs.