Animals in Pantanal you might see on your trip
If you go to the wetlands of Pantanal you will see loads of animals. That is for sure.
Here are some fascinating animal facts about the Pantanal region: It boasts the highest density of jaguars worldwide. The majestic hyacinth macaw, the largest parrot species, calls this area home. Additionally, it’s estimated that Pantanal harbors more fish than all the rivers in Europe combined.
The Janiru or Tuiuiú, is the national bird of Pantanal. You can find a lot of souvenirs in this area with the Tuiuiú bird on it. I will tell you a bit more about them later on. There is a lot to do in Pantanal and I love all the tours we did.
There are two ways to go to Pantanal, from Bonito or from Cuiabá. If you take the latter you enter through the Transpantaneira road. We traveled this road and probably stopped every 5 minutes because there was so much to see.
Pantanal, spanning 42 million acres, stands as the largest tropical wetlands globally, and it extends across three South American countries: Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Despite its significance, the area faces challenges, including poaching and selling of animals and their skin. Sadly, only 5% of its rich biodiversity is protected by the state, as per WWF. However, the three nations have initiated a program aimed at conserving and sustainably developing the region which is really great!
Birds
I can’t list all the birds that we saw here because there are around 600 species of birds that fly around. That’s why I have added some in the list below. But here is a very incomplete list of some of the most seen birds in Pantanal. Red-winged tinamou, agami heron, greater thornbird, sunbittern, red-legged Seriema, long-tailed ground-dove, buff-bellied hermit, rufous-tailed jacamar, pygmy kingfisher, white woodpecker, grey-crested cacholote, forest elaenia, ashy-headed greenlet, mato grosso antbird and orange-backed troupial.
Tuiuiú or Janiru stork
6As I stated before, the national bird of Pantanal is seen everywhere. It is a stork but some bird experts say that it’s more related to the Marabou. It is the second largest flying bird in South America and can grow up to 1.4 meters or 5 feet tall. The wingspan of the Tuiuiú is between 9 and 12 feet. ‘Janiru’ in the Tupi Guarani language, which is spoken in different areas in South America, means ‘swollen neck’. And that makes sense if you see it. And we saw them a lot! They built a huge nest in the trees and it was so beautiful to see.
Caiman
There are two different types of Caiman that live in the Pantanal area. These two types are not very large, they are around 1.2 meters or 3.9 feet long. They are the Jacaré do Pantanal and the Jacaré de Papo Amarelo, the latter is more aggressive so keep your distance. On the way to our fazenda we stopped so many times on the road because we saw them at the river banks. Sometimes by the dozens. They have their snouts open and are soaking up the sunlight and it’s not uncommon to see ibises and capybaras super close. It’s possible to do a night tour and see their sparkling eyes in the dark. They were hunted for their skin and although it still happens, the government has forbidden the hunt for caiman and large fines are given when you are caught. They are better admired in the wild!
Yellow anaconda
We were sad, no happy, no sad about not seeing the yellow Anaconda. We did however see the even larger green anaconda in the Amazon rainforest.
The yellow anaconda, scientifically known as Eunectes notaeus and commonly referred to as the Paraguayan anaconda, is a boa species native to southern South America. While it ranks among the largest snakes globally, it is smaller in size compared to its relative, the green anaconda. They eat peccary (kind of wild pig), deer, birds, capybaras and even caimans. The female snake is larger than the male counterpart.
Toucan
When visiting Pantanal, the likelihood of spotting a toucan is very high. With approximately 45 species of these vibrant birds, ranging in color and size, sightings are common. Although we encountered them multiple times and observed various types, getting a close-up view can be very hard. Toucans are often seen in groups. I’ve encountered toucans throughout Brazil, as they are all over the country. In Foz do Iguaçu there is a wonderful bird park and you can see lots of birds up close, like the toucan.
Capybara
These super friendly rodents live all over Brazil and you can easily spot lots of them in the wild in Pantanal. They look friendly, live with their family and are usually eating or swimming. The capybara can even sleep while swimming. They live in large groups because they are very sociable creatures and it will give some safety because there are quite a few animals who love to eat them. Caiman, puma, anaconda and jaguars love to eat these yummy rodents.
Hyacinth macaw (and other macaws too)
Spotting macaws in the wetlands is relatively simple. Often, they soar overhead, but occasionally you can find them perched on some branches in the jungle. The hyacinth macaw is the largest of the macaws and as the name suggests it has a gorgeous blue plumage. We were very lucky to see a lovely couple. The beautiful macaw mates for life and can get as old as 60 years.
Monkeys
If you are in Pantanal it’s possible to see monkeys but they’re not easy to spot. Usually they are high up in the trees, but you never know when they come down. We heard them a lot but also saw some. The two most common species in this area are the howler monkey and the capuchin monkey and there are multiple types of them that live here. We heard the howler monkeys a lot and saw them in the trees from the boat.
Coati
Before coming to Brazil I had never heard or seen this creature. This animal is a crossing between a monkey and a raccoon and perhaps a dog. The coati, with its long tail, flexible snout, and powerful claws, navigates the forest floor in quest of beetles, grubs, ants, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, frogs, lizards, and various other prey. We did not see them in Pantanal but there were large groups of them in Foz do Iguaçu.
Maned wolf
When we left early in the morning to go on the jaguar tour we saw a doglike animal far away in the distance. It had quite long hair and it had a reddish tint, it looked a bit like a fox but it turned out to be a maned wolf. The name tells you it is a wolf but studies show they don’t have much in common with the wolf or the fox either. They like to eat fruits and veggies and they love a berry called Lobeira, they also eat rabbits and insects. Because it was too far away, I wasn’t able to take a picture.
Deer
You can see deers very well in the largest wetlands of the world. There are different species and the marsh deer and the red brocket are common to see. On different occasions we spotted them, close to the road and in the forest. The jaguar and the puma are their biggest enemy besides poachers. Only since the government decided to put a ban on it has the population taken a turn for the better.
Crab-eating fox
The crab-eating fox or also named maikong or wood fox is about 65 cm or 25.5 inches tall. They love to eat crabs (crustaceans), insects, frogs, mice, birds, lizards, fish, fruits and berries. They are nocturnal and during the day they hide in hollow trees or in holes in the ground. If you do an early morning walk or go out during dusk there is a chance you could see him (or her). On our morning walk we spotted it close to the edge of the forest.
Peccary
Don’t call them pigs, which of course I did. The peccary looks very similar to a wild pig but the biggest difference is the ears, on pigs they are large and pointed up, on peccary they are smaller and they look more like the ears of a bear. Also the tail of the peccary is much smaller than from pigs, so small even that you can hardly see it. They do move in families and that’s how we encountered them too, crossing the street and running back into the woods.
Greater Rhea (not to be confused with ostriches)
During our horseback riding tour we crossed the open fields of the fazendas (farms) in the neighborhood and saw the greater rhea. Despite their initial resemblance, ostriches and rheas are unrelated. Rheas live exclusively in South America. Among the five subspecies three types of them can be found in Brazil and amongst them is the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) which lives only in Brazil. This remarkable bird holds the title of being the largest and heaviest native bird in the Americas, with males measuring up to 1.70 meters or 5.6 feet in length.
Boa constrictor
Snakes are definitely not my favorite animal but you will probably see some of them in Pantanal. We saw two snakes but not the boa constrictor. It’s not very common to see it because it’s a nocturnal creature. If you go for a night walk you might see it. It can grow between 1.5 – 3 meters or 4.9 – 9.8 feet. The boa waits for its prey to come closer and then attacks, it quickly wraps itself around its victim and cuts off the blood circulation. Once it doesn’t feel their heartbeat it releases their prey and swallows it whole. To be honest, I’m fine with the fact that we didn’t see it.
Red footed tortoise
In Brazil you can see loads of different types of turtles and tortoises and I’m all here for it. The main difference between them is that the turtle spends most of its time in water and the tortoise spends most of its time on land. We have seen the red footed tortoise on a walk through the riverbed. We were there during the end of the dry season so we could walk where the river would flow again in the wet season. We also saw some snakes during that trip. They can weigh up to 10 kilograms or 22 pounds. The one we encountered was about that heavy. The males are usually larger than the females.
Ocelot
Only at night are these medium sized cats active. They can get 7 to 16 kilograms or 15 to 35 pounds. The distinctive coat pattern with rosettes and stripes, helps them blend into their surroundings. Ocelots are native to the Americas, ranging from the southwestern United States through Central and South America. These cats are solitary animals, usually only coming together for mating purposes. The indigenous people have a very rich history of mythology and folklore and the Ocelot is used to symbolize strength, agility, and stealth. Because of their nocturnal nature we were not able to spot it.
Lorikeet
Here is a bird that you will probably see and definitely will hear. The lorikeet is such a fun and happy bird, there are multiple types within this family and most of them live in big flocks. During multiple moments of the day you will hear a concert of their chattering sounds. The bright colors will amaze you when you see them.
Armadillo
The name armadillo means ‘little armored one’. There are 20 species of armadillo and all of them originate from the South Americas. They love to sleep up to 16 hours a day so it can be tricky to see them. Our fazenda took care of the animals around the property and left different foods out for them. The armadillo’s we saw were eating from those leftovers. We usually think about how the armadillo can roll up in a ball but only two kinds can do it. The others curl up but can’t form into a ball. If you are lucky you can spot the giant armadillo who is the largest of its kind. It can be as large as 1.8 meters or 5.9 feet.
Anteater
One of the animals I really wanted to see in Brazil was/is the anteater. There are four different types of anteater and all of them live in South America. The giant anteater can be seen in this area and I look very imposing. The giant anteater can grow to 1.8 meters or six feet long and it has a beautiful striped pattern on its baggy and a very fluffy tail. I was a bit sad that we didn’t find it but how can I complain when I saw so many other amazing creatures.
South American Tapir
This creature has a trunk-like snout and it loves mud. Tapirs don’t just play in the mud; it also has a purpose. They deal with parasites by rolling in mud, covering themselves entirely, and allowing the mud to dry, which suffocates the parasites due to lack of oxygen. Additionally, tapirs are smart when hiding themselves in water to evade predators like jaguars and pumas. But they are caught sometimes if they are not quick enough.
Giant otter
This animal is also on my list of animals I really wanted to see but didn’t. Though you can see it here as well in the Amazon, we didn’t encounter it. These fish-eating beasts can get 1.8 meters or 5.9 feet, which is so much bigger than most other otter species. The giant otter uses its whiskers to detect water vibrations and thus prey. When they are not able to catch fish they also love to eat small capybaras or when they are in luck small anacondas. If you have seen it on one of your travels in Brazil, I would love to hear it.
Lots of these animals can also be found in the Amazon rainforest but there are some creatures only native to that area.
We loved seeing so much of Pantanal! It definitely is in my top 10 places to visit in Brazil. I hope you will be able to visit this animal-filled place too. The fazenda/ pousada we stayed at was so nice, the staff was lovely, the guide super knowledgeable and the tours where arranged professionally. Check out their website for more information: Ueso Pantanal.
How many days should I go to Pantanal?
We stayed for 5 days and 4 nights. Because it can be super hot we enjoyed our quiet time in between the tours. We could rest or sit at the little lake and watch more animals coming by. If you don’t have a lot of time, spent at least 3 days here. One day for the Jaguar tour, one day for the jungle walk and to see the sundown and the last day to do the boat trip and the horseback riding tour. The ride back to Cuiabá is also quite long so it will be tiresome. It’s better to have a day or 2 extra. But it depends on how much time and money you have. Pantanal is one of the most expensive places in Brazil, so be warned.
Is Pantanal accessible for wheelchair users? The short answer is no.
We actually had a wonderful fazenda where you would be able to get to. They had little paths directed to the little lake where you could potentially see lots of wildlife. Check with your accommodation if they have something similar.
Attractions*
Bad, it will not be possible for wheelchair users to do most tours in the jungle
Café’s and restaurants
You need check with your accommodation what the possibilities are.
Public transport
In Pantanal there is only public transport in the bigger cities and they don’t have any ramps.
Toilets
If you go inside malls or other public places you will have a designated toilet for wheelchair users.
*And museums
Items I love while traveling
Feet hammock airplane
This airplane hammock for your feet is great for when you are traveling long flights. I love that it can be hung over the airplane table and I can rest my feet when I’m tired. It is adjustable and it is really comfortable.
Collapsible handheld fan
I don’t know about how you deal with heat but I need a bit of cooling down when I’m traveling. This easy (and cute) fan is my go to for when I am too hot. It can be charged with usb which is super practical.
Airplane pocket
Being organized always makes me happy and when I saw this amazing pocket for over your airplane table I was sold. You place it over the table (so you instantly have a clean table) and you can add all you need, when you have a long flight.