After a long flight from Norway via Sao Paulo we arrived at Cuiaba airport. Here we where picked up by the local guide and moved our heavy baggage and photo equipment into the bus we should use on this trip.
Four hours on dirt roads to the first stop - the lodge at Santa Tereza
The first evening - after dark, we where searching the Ozelot. This is a place where they have set lightning on the area where the Ozelot was expected to come and take the food that was placed on the trees there.
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| Ozelot |
The Ozelot is a small cat with a body length between 90 - 150 cm from head to tail end. There are quite a lot of them in South America (Argentines, Uruguay and southern part of Brasil. They can be found in high mountains but prefer rainforest and in heavy vegetation along riversides. During day time they can sleep in a tree until dark when they start to hunt during the night.
Next day we are back to the dirt roads heading for Pousada Porto Jofre.
The area is located within Mato Grosso, the third biggest state in Brasil. It is one of the biggest wetlands in the world.
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| Cuiaba River within the wetlands. Boats with tourists is quite common here. |
Spent several days on the river looking for wildlife. Despite very hot days - above 40 degree C, the time spent here was definitely worth it.
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| Capibara - Largest rodent in the world |
The Capibara is very often seen along the riverbanks. Typically one of them was always looking to the shore and acted as a watch in case of approaching Jaguars.
Its conservation status is LC (least concern).
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| Giant Otter |
The Giant Otter is surely a very noisy animal. Their scream can be heard from long distance.
Live in family groups and has a very interesting sosial structure.
Body length can be above 2m from head to tail end. Their weight can be up to 32kg.
The Giant Otter is an excellent fisher despite they are swimming in river water with almost no visibility. Their weapon is their very sensitive whiskers than help them locating the fish. As we watched them they almost always came up with a fish. Very interesting to see how they shared the fish between the family members.
Other skilled fishers are the birds - they sit in the trees a wait for a fish to surface. Once the fish is spotted they take off and dive into the water and make a successful catch.
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| Cocoi Herron |
Cocoi Heron is the largest of South America´s heron species.
Conservation status is LC (least concern).
Conservation status is LC (least concern).
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| Ringed Kingfisher |
The Ringed Kingfisher is found in freshwater areas seen in USA and South America. They prefer mangrove habitats where they sit in the trees next to the water/river and look for prey. Then they see a fish of suitable size they take to their wings and splash into the water. Most of the time they have a successful catch.
Conservation status is LC (least concern)
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| Black-collared Hawk |
Quite amazing to see this fantastic animal coming out of the vegetation and walked along the river bank lokking for pray.
The Jaguar is an excellent swimmer and could sometimes be seen crossing the river in front of the boat.
The Kaiman is often killed by the Jaguar. The Jaguar is the third largest cat, after the Tiger and Lion but has the strongest bite. When attacking a Kaiman it kills it by penetrating the skull of the Kaiman. After the kill the Jaguar drags the Kaiman from the river and into the dense vegetation.
One of the famous birds in Pantanal is the longest of all flying parrots, the Hyasinth Macaw. Its conservation status is VU (vulnerable).
The Tuco Tucan is found in South America. It normally eats fruits from trees which is plucked with their big beak. They can also eat insects, small reptiles, frogs, small birds and their eggs.
Their Conservation status is LC (least concern)
The Giant Anteater can reach a body length just above 2 meters and weigh up to 50 kg. They are mostly night active but if the temperature drops whey can also be active during day time. Ants and termites are their favorite food. The Anteater has powerful and sharp claws they use to dig out their prey before using their long and thin snout to eat. Their sharp claws can also be dangerous for humans if the animal feels threatened. There are reports that people have been killed by the Giant Anteater.
The Tapir closest relatives are rhinos and horses. Their body looks a bit similar to the pig. Body length can be up to 250 cm and 350 kg bodyweight. The snout looks like an ultrashort elephant trunk which gives them the "nice" look.
The Tapir will try to stay out of areas with Jaguars.
This beautiful bird belongs to the toucan and aracari family. It is native to central and south - eastern South America.
Feed mostly on fruits from the trees in the area. Can also eat nectar, insects and nuts.
Their conservation status os LC (least concern)
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| Jaguar |
The Jaguar is an excellent swimmer and could sometimes be seen crossing the river in front of the boat.
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| Swimming Jaguar |
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| Kaiman |
The Kaiman is often killed by the Jaguar. The Jaguar is the third largest cat, after the Tiger and Lion but has the strongest bite. When attacking a Kaiman it kills it by penetrating the skull of the Kaiman. After the kill the Jaguar drags the Kaiman from the river and into the dense vegetation.
One of the famous birds in Pantanal is the longest of all flying parrots, the Hyasinth Macaw. Its conservation status is VU (vulnerable).
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| Hyasinth Macaw |
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| Tuco Tucan |
The Tuco Tucan is found in South America. It normally eats fruits from trees which is plucked with their big beak. They can also eat insects, small reptiles, frogs, small birds and their eggs.
Their Conservation status is LC (least concern)
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| Giant Anteater |
The Giant Anteater can reach a body length just above 2 meters and weigh up to 50 kg. They are mostly night active but if the temperature drops whey can also be active during day time. Ants and termites are their favorite food. The Anteater has powerful and sharp claws they use to dig out their prey before using their long and thin snout to eat. Their sharp claws can also be dangerous for humans if the animal feels threatened. There are reports that people have been killed by the Giant Anteater.
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| Tapir |
The Tapir closest relatives are rhinos and horses. Their body looks a bit similar to the pig. Body length can be up to 250 cm and 350 kg bodyweight. The snout looks like an ultrashort elephant trunk which gives them the "nice" look.
The Tapir will try to stay out of areas with Jaguars.
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| Chestnut eared aracari |
This beautiful bird belongs to the toucan and aracari family. It is native to central and south - eastern South America.
Feed mostly on fruits from the trees in the area. Can also eat nectar, insects and nuts.
Their conservation status os LC (least concern)
