Wildlife
Landscape
Venezuela has a very diverse variety of wildlife since
the country has landscapes that include tropical coastline to the high Andes Mountains
as well as hardwood forests and rain forests in between. These differences in geography
and weather attract a large number of animals and allow many different plants to
grow.
Many of the more common mammals are woodland animals such as squirrels, mice, rats,
bats, opossums, deer, rabbits, tapirs, sloths, and others. However, the mountains
and rain forests attract these animals as well as others, including llamas, alpacas,
vicunas (a camel species), cougars (puma), beers, armadillos, porcupines, monkeys,
jaguars, and wolves. There are also some rodents unique to
South America in Venezuela, such as the chinchilla
and capybara.
Capybara
Off of Venezuela's north coast, in the Caribbean Sea
there are additional mammals, including whales, dolphins, and manatees. In these
waters there are also plenty of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic life, such as
coral reefs. The corals bring in a lot of different animals, including surgeonfish
and butterfly fish. Other animals roaming these waters include sharks, marlins,
barracuda, snapper, mackerel, grouper, shrimp, crabs, seahorses, starfish, eels,
rays, jellyfish, and sea urchins.
The bird life is nearly as diverse as the sea life since woodland, mountain, and
sea birds are all common. Among these are egrets, eagles, condors, pelicans, partridges,
coots, geese, sandpipers, ibis, herons, finches, hummingbirds, toucans, wrens, owls,
sparrows, cardinals, jays, orioles, frigate birds, pigeons, parrots, parakeets,
flamingos, and woodpeckers.
The reptilian, amphibian, and insect life in Venezuela
are also diverse, but the variety of species is somewhat limited. Many of these
animals are spiders, including the tarantula and black widow, and snakes, including
the rattlesnake, boa, and anaconda. In or near some of the rivers the amphibian
population spikes a bit as a number of frogs, iguanas, and lizards are present.
The number of insects is quite substantial, including flies, mosquitos, butterflies,
ants, beetles, moths, and more.
Vicuna
When it comes to native plant life, South America
is home to many famous edible plants and these plants quickly spread throughout
Venezuela, South America, and beyond. The pineapple is
from the region where Brazil and Uruguay
meet while potatoes and tobacco originated in the Andes Mountains. A few others,
including cacao trees (used to make chocolate), peanuts, and tomatoes are also from
South America, although their actual origin is unknown. Peppers, both sweet and
hot peppers are from Central America or northern South America while vanilla, avocado,
papaya, and corn (maize) are likely from Central America itself. No matter each
food's origin, what is known is that these foods spread throughout the continent
and to the country of Venezuela with the help of pre-historic people, animals, and
winds. These people have had these foods for nearly as long as people have inhabited
the region and each makes an important part of the people's diet and culture
now and for thousands of years into the past.
Other plants, although not as edible ones, are also present in
Venezuela. Orchids, lilies, rosewood trees, mahogany trees, and thousands
of other trees, flowers, and plants can be found in Venezuela.