Size:
390,000 sq. km (150,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Geographic Location:
Northern South America: in Colombia and Venezuela
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable
Did You Know!
The Giant anaconda is an aquatic snake that can grow to be up to 26 feet. It hunts in the dark of night, killing its prey by constriction. It is also known to climb trees in search of birds!
About the Area
This ecoregion is the best example of tropical savannas in South America with high floristic and habitat diversity.
Being one of the world's largest wetland complexes, the region has its share of streams, rivers, marshes, and more - and with them many species not typically found in savanna ecosystems, such as the Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius).Local Species
Found here is the White-bellied spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth), Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla), Black-bellied tree duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), White-faced tree duck (Dendrocygna viduata), Roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja).
Other species include the endemic Orinoco piculet (Picumnus pumilus), and the Capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) - the world's largest rodents that feast on grasses and other plants to keep their 50 kg bodies well-fueled!
In addition, parts of these savannas support breeding populations of the Giant anaconda (Eunectes murinus).
Threats
Grazing, burning, draining, conversion to agriculture, and over hunting are all threats to the biodiversity found in this ecoregion. Dickcissel sparrows (Spiza americana) - birds from the Great Plains, winter here and are endangered by pesticides.
Resources