Wildlife in Guyana

The Most Iconic Animals in Guyana

Guyana is a small country in South America renowned for its incredible wildlife and biodiversity. The nation has a population of under one million and the majority of these people live along the country’s narrow coastal belt on the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, Guyana’s interior is almost untouched by human development and nature has been left to thrive.

While tropical rainforest is the dominant environment in Guyana, the country has a unique mix of ecosystems including savannah, wetlands, rivers, mangroves and mountains, providing an ideal habitat to support a diverse range of wildlife. Guyana is home to over 200 species of mammal, more than 800 species of bird, in excess of 300 species of reptile and an astonishing 6,500 species of plant. Among this spectacular flora and fauna are some of South America’s most iconic animals including black caiman, giant anteater, giant river otter, arapaima, harpy eagle, capybara and green anaconda.

Additionally, Guyana is home to one of only 4 pristine tropical forests in the world. The combination of Guyana’s fascinating wildlife and a truly authentic wilderness experience, make it a top destination for anyone passionate about nature. Despite this, Guyana is one of our lesser visited destinations, making it ideal for nature enthusiasts to get off the beaten track into truly remote places.

Want to learn more about animals found in Guyana? You’re in the right place! From the national animal of Guyana to endangered animals in Guyana, we’ll explore the diverse wildlife of Guyana.

Flora in Guyana

The Guianas (Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana) are part of the Guiana Shield region; a massive area of untouched rainforest that spans across six countries. The Guiana Shield is renowned as one of the most biologically diverse regions on earth and is noted for being of ‘regional and global significance’ by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), home to a staggering array of endemic plant and animal species.

Often referred to as the “greenhouse” of the world, it plays a vital role in regulating the Earth’s climate. Its extensive rainforests absorb and store vast amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. The Guiana Shield also boasts an estimated 12,500 species of flowering plants and a similar number of vascular plant species overall. This incredible biodiversity underscores the importance of the Guiana Shield as a conservation priority, though the region faces threats from deforestation, mining, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change.

Animals in Guyana

There are few places on Earth that offer adventure as raw and authentic as Guyana, South America’s best-kept secret. With nearly 80 percent of its land covered by dense tropical rainforest and extensive rivers, Guyana is a remaining haven for some of the rarest animals in South America. Expect plentiful tapirs, giant anaconda, metres-long caiman, a plethora of bird species, large colonies of river otters, giant anteaters and even elusive jaguars.

The Most Iconic Animals in Guyana

The National Animal of Guyana: The Jaguar

The national animal of Guyana is the jaguar. It is also one of the most dangerous animals in Guyana and the biggest cat species in South America. Adults can measure up to 6 feet long and weigh 250 pounds. The jaguar has a thick yellow-brown coat with black spots and rosettes covering its body, allowing in to blend into the rainforest. Its head is short and round, featuring large ears that help it hear prey from far away. They are strong swimmers and climb trees in search of food.

Known as “The King of the Amazon”, the jaguar is primarily found in the rainforest of Guyana, though it they remain hidden most of the time. To the indigenous people of Guyana, the jaguar is a sacred guardian of the forest, revered as a spiritual protector and a symbol of strength. The jaguar was chosen as the Guyana national animal because it represents strength, courage, endurance and resilience, all qualities associated with the Guyanese people.

Jaguar in the Amazon Rainforest in Guyana

Black Caiman

Black caiman are reptiles that are similar in appearance to American alligators. With its sleek, dark skin and powerful jaw, adult caimans are usually 13 feet but can grow as long as 20 feet in length. In fact, black caiman are the largest predator in the entire Amazon basin, which spreads across 2.7 million square miles of the South American continent. In Guyana, caimans live in slow-moving rivers where they bask in the sun during the day and hunt their prey at night which includes fish, birds and even larger mammals.

Giant Anteater

In the vast Rupununi savannah and wetlands of southwestern Guyana, giant anteaters roam the land which can grow up to 6.5 feet long. Known for their long snouts and distinctive elongated tongues, giant anteaters are often seen foraging in the early morning or late afternoon for ant hills and termites during the day. The anteaters follow the food, and this part of the Guyanese countryside has an abundance of massive termite mounds, a buffet for anteaters. When cornered, these giants will lash out their large claws and are able to fight off a puma or jaguar.

Giant River Otter

Guyana is also home to the giant river otter, one of the world’s largest otter species. They can grow up to 6 foot long and weigh over 70 pounds. With their sleek, streamlined bodies and webbed feet, giant river otters are exceptional swimmers, and they are often seen hunting for fish, water snakes, crustaceans and other prey. They one frequently roamed South America’s tropical lowland rainforests and wetlands but are now sadly endangered. Unfortunately, giant river otters face threats from habitat destruction and pollution, making conservation efforts critical to survival.

Arapaima

The arapaima, the largest scaled freshwater fish in the world, is a remarkable species found in the most remote sections of Guyana’s rivers. Growing up to 10 feet in length, this ancient fish is known for its striking appearance, featuring a long streamlined body and distinctive bony head. Arapaima are air breathing fish, and they can only stay underwater for 10 to 20 minutes, meaning they must surface regularly to breath. They are certainly a fascinating sight.

Harpy Eagle

The harpy eagles of Guyana are one of the world’s largest and most spectacular raptors. This massive bird of prey has fanned-out grey feathers on its head and a black breast band that separates its white belly from the grey face. This huge bird is named after the harpy — a frightening half-woman, half-bird creature from Greek mythology. The Harpy Eagle is an elusive species. However, Guyana’s pristine rainforest is the perfect habitat. You might spot one in the Iwokrama Rainforest along the Canopy Walkway or the untouched canopies of the Kanuku Mountains. Find out more about the Kanuku Mountains in our blog about mountains in Guyana.

Capybara

Capybaras can be found throughout Guyana in rainforests and along the banks of rivers, lakes, marshes, and in wetlands. They can weigh more than 100 lbs and grow to be 4 feetlong and 2 feet tall. In fact, they are the largest rodents in the world.

Capybaras have coarse hair that is thinly spread over their skin, they have heavy, barrel-shaped bodies and they have partially webbed feet which helps to propel them through the water or swampy areas. Similar to a hippopotamus, the capybara’s eyes, nose, and ears are located on the top of its head, allowing it to peek above the surface for a breath of air and a quick check for predators while the bulk of its body remains hidden beneath the water.

Green Anaconda

Guyana is home to truly remarkable snake species, both venomous and non-venomous. Of the 97 species in the country, most are found within the rainforests, some in savannahs, and others even in urban areas. Particular species include boas, cobras and the largest snake in the world, the green anaconda.

A member of the boa family, green anacondas can grow to more than 29 feet, weigh more than 550 pounds, and measure more than 12 inches in diameter. Females are significantly larger than males. In Guyana, anacondas live in swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams, mainly in the tropical rain forests. Their eyes and nasal openings are on top of their heads, allowing them to lay in wait for prey while remaining nearly completely submerged.

Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Guyana

Many of the most unique animals in Guyana live in rainforest habitats. Some of the best places to see wildlife in Guyana include Kaieteur National Park in the western side of central Guyana, Iwokrama Rainforest reserve in Central Guyana and the Kanuku Mountains in southern Guyana. If you’re keen to get off the beaten path and discover wildlife in truly remote locations, Kandoo offer trekking experiences in the Kanuku Mountains where you’ll see iconic species such as the harpy eagle, giant species of anaconda, armadillo, caiman, capybara, otter and tarantula.

Guyana really is South America’s undiscovered paradise, so why not join Kandoo and immerse yourself in an incredible, unspoilt wilderness? Choose between trekking in the Kanuka Mountains or chasing waterfalls on our Guyana Highlands trekking adventure. Whichever trip in Guyana you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to observe and appreciate the rich biodiversity that thrives in this untouched landscape. The friendly team at Kandoo Adventures HQ are always on hand to answer your questions and will help you book your next Guyanese adventure.