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3 Toed Sloth
The Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus) is the slowest of all land animals
moving through the branches at one hundredth of a mile per hour! It is among the world's laziest animals, spending three-quarters
of its life asleep. It eats only leaves and loves to "hang" out (upside down!) intrees. Sloths are often seen and they are
in fact very common. They are hunted for meat, but because they are well-camouflaged, and generally feed high in the canopy,
they are difficult to find. Their main predators are eagles, and jaguars will also hunt them.
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Jaguar
The Jaguar (Panthera onca) is the ultimate Amazon predator top of the food chain
and among the largest living cats. These animals are revered by local tribes, a sentiment not shared by hunters who treasure
only the gorgeous pelt . Jaguars rarely venture into the trees, but they often hunt close to water for large terrestrial
animals such as peccary, deer and capybara. They will also take birds, fish, turtles and smaller mammals. The jaguar is currently
listed as endangered.
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The Collard Peccary
The Collared Peccary (Tayassu tajacu) is one of the most widespread of Amazon mammals.
They live in large herds of up to 50 individuals, foraging for a variety of food including fruits, seeds, leaves and small
animals.
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The Monk Saki
The odd-looking Monk Saki (Pithecia monachus) is one of about half a dozen similar
large (saki) monkeys in the Amazon. Its peculiar hair-do accounts for its common name. They quietly roam around the middle
canopy in small groups, looking for fruits, seeds and leaves.
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