ANIMALS
The Pantanal is one of the best places on Earth to experience unforgettable wildlife encounters up close.
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On this page, you’ll discover the iconic species you might encounter during our tours: majestic big cats, vibrant birds, elusive mammals, and striking reptiles. Nowhere else in South America offers such accessible and abundant wildlife in its natural habitat.
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122 Species of Mammals
656 Species of Birds
93 Species of Reptiles
263 Species of Fish
JAGUAR
Pantanal’s Most Iconic Predator
The Pantanal is home to one of the highest density of jaguars in the world, making it one of the best places to observe this elusive big cat in its natural environment.
Jaguars are the largest cats in the Americas, known for their muscular build and distinctive rosette-patterned coat. They are solitary, territorial predators, hunting large prey such as capybaras, caimans, and deer. Adapted to wetland habitats, jaguars are excellent swimmers and often hunt in or near water.
Spotting a jaguar in the Pantanal is a rare and unforgettable experience, and one of the highlights of our tours.
GIANT OTTER
The Endangered River Giant
The giant otter is one of the Pantanal’s most social, and charismatic animals. Living in close family groups, these skilled hunters are often seen gliding through rivers or fishing.
Endemic to South America, they can reach up to 1.8 meters in length and are perfectly adapted to aquatic life. Few animals are as noisy, curious, and entertaining. Watching them in the wild is a true highlight of any day on the river.
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Come and see them for yourself !
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CAPYBARA
The World’s Largest Rodent
The capybara is the world’s largest rodent, weighting up to 60kg, and one of the Pantanal’s most charming characters. Semi-aquatic and highly social, they live in family groups near water, where they graze, swim, and snooze together. You’ll often spot them lounging along riverbanks or taking a dip to cool off. Despite their size, they’re gentle and calm, often seen sharing riverbanks with birds and even caimans.
MARSH DEER
The Elegant Swamp Specialist
With long, slender legs and reddish-brown fur, marsh deer are uniquely adapted to life in flooded grasslands. They feed on aquatic plants and grasses and can swim long distances during the rainy season. Previously endangered due to habitat loss and hunting, conservation efforts have stabilized some populations. Mostly crepuscular and shy, they are an indicator species of wetland health.
TAPIR
The Silent Swimmer
The lowland tapir is the largest land mammal in South America, easily recognizable by its rounded body, short legs, and a flexible, prehensile snout it uses to grasp leaves and fruit.
Primarily nocturnal and solitary, tapirs are excellent swimmers and spend much of their time near water. They play a crucial ecological role as “gardeners of the forest,” dispersing seeds through their droppings and maintaining forest diversity. Although elusive, their presence is often revealed by footprints or mud wallows along riverbanks.
For those interested we offer optional night safaris on any of our tours, perfect to increase your chances of spotting a tapir.
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GIANT ANTEATER
A Strange and Spectacular Sight
With its long snout, shaggy fur, and slow stride, the giant anteater is one of the Pantanal’s most unusual residents. It feeds almost entirely on ants and termites, using powerful claws and a sticky tongue nearly 60 cm long.
Early mornings are your best chance to see one wandering the savanna, and if you're lucky, you might spot a baby perfectly camouflaged on its mother’s back, blending into her fur like a shadow.
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ARMADILLOS
The Earth Dwellers
Four species of armadillos inhabit the Pantanal, including the six-banded and giant armadillos. These armored mammals have tough, protective plates and powerful claws for digging burrows and foraging for insects, worms, and small vertebrates. Mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, armadillos are solitary creatures with strong homing instincts. Their digging activity aerates the soil, benefiting plant growth, and their burrows often provide shelter for other animals.
MANED WOLF
The Ghost of the Grasslands
With its long legs, red coat, and black mane, the maned wolf is perfectly adapted for stalking small prey in tall grass. Solitary and mostly active at night, it’s more often seen in the Pantanal’s transitional areas with the Cerrado. Its diet is surprisingly varied, including fruits like the lobeira berry.​
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HOWLER MONKEY
The Voices of the Canopy
Famous for their bone-rattling howls at dawn and dusk, these monkeys live high in the forest canopy. Their calls can be heard up to 5 km away. They feed on leaves and fruit and spend most of the day resting or socializing in family groups.
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CAPUCHIN MONKEY
The Curious and Clever Primates
Capuchins are intelligent, agile primates known for tool use and social complexity. They eat a varied diet: from fruit and insects to small animals. Curious and adaptable, they are often seen jumping through gallery forests or watching visitors from above.
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PUMA
The Quiet Rival
The puma is a powerful cat found throughout the Americas. It is an adaptable predator, capable of thriving in diverse habitats ranging from dense forests to open plains and mountainous regions. In the Pantanal, it is rarely seen because it competes with the dominant jaguar for territory and prey. Solitary and stealthy, the puma is an expert ambush predator, hunting deer, peccaries, and smaller mammals.
SMALL CATS
Masters of Stealth
The Pantanal’s smaller wild cats include the ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, and oncilla, each with distinct habits. Ocelots are medium-sized, nocturnal hunters with striking spotted coats; margays are arboreal specialists capable of climbing headfirst down trees; jaguarundis are sleek and diurnal, hunting in open areas; oncillas are rare and elusive, with excellent camouflage. These cats feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, playing important roles as mesopredators. Spotting any of them is a rare but rewarding experience for lucky observers.
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OTHER MAMMALS
Uncover the Hidden Residents of the Pantanal
Beyond the well-known wildlife, the Pantanal is alive with many fascinating mammals. Watch for the arboreal tamandua, a smaller relative of the giant anteater, and bustling colonies of bats that emerge at dusk. Peccaries roam the forest floor in groups, while curious coatis and agile agoutis add movement to the undergrowth. The crab-eating fox is a common and clever resident you’re likely to spot during your visit.
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HYACINTHE MACAW
The Rare Jewel of the Skies
The largest flying parrot in the world, this bright blue bird is both rare and endangered. Dependent on specific palm species for food and nesting, it’s a symbol of successful conservation. In the Pantanal, your chances of seeing one are better than anywhere else.
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JABIRU STORK
The Symbol of the Pantanal
Towering and unmistakable, the jabiru stork is the tallest flying bird in South America and a familiar sight in the Pantanal, often seen fishing in wetlands or nesting high in trees. Monogamous pairs form strong lifelong bonds and reuse the same massive nest year after year, raising one or two chicks each season. As a culturally significant species and the unofficial emblem of the Pantanal, the jabiru plays an important role in both local identity and the region’s ecology.
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GREATER RHEA
Giant of the Open Plains
These large, flightless birds roam the savannas in small groups. Males build nests and raise chicks alone. Rheas feed on insects, plants, and small vertebrates, and can reach up to 60 km/h when running from predators.
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TOUCANS
Beaks and Colors
With their oversized bills and vibrant plumage, toucans are among the most photogenic birds of the region. They feed on fruit, insects, and even small reptiles. Listen for their croaking calls and look for flashes of color in the treetops.
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HAWKS AND OSPREYS
Skilled Hunters of the Pantanal Skies
The Pantanal offers excellent opportunities to observe a variety of hawks and ospreys, many of which are easy to spot thanks to the open landscapes and abundant prey. Common species include the Savanna Hawk, the black-collared hawk and the Great Black Hawk.
The Osprey is a frequent visitor to the wetlands, effortlessly diving to catch fish with its sharp talons. These raptors are a thrilling sight and highlight the Pantanal’s rich food chain.
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OTHER BIRDS
Flying Colors
In reality, the Pantanal is home to more than 600 bird species that brighten the skies and wetlands with their vibrant colors and unique calls. From the elegant herons and kingfishers to the colorful parrots, the skilled cormorants and elusive hummingbirds, every day brings a chance to spot something new. Birdwatchers and nature lovers alike will find endless joy in the Pantanal’s incredible avian diversity, each species a reminder of the rich life thriving in this extraordinary wetland.
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CAIMAN
Eyes Above the Water
The Pantanal is home to 10 million Yacare caimans, the densest crocodilian populations on Earth. Though often seen basking in the sun, they are agile aquatic hunters, feeding on fish and small vertebrates. Their presence is a crucial part of the Pantanal’s food web.
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YELLOW ANACONDA
The Golden Constrictor
The yellow anaconda is a large, non-venomous snake adapted to the Pantanal’s flooded environments. It spends much of its time submerged in slow-moving waters, waiting patiently to ambush prey such as fish, birds, mammals, and even caimans. Slightly smaller than its green relative but no less powerful, the yellow anaconda can reach lengths over 4 meters. They are sometimes preyed upon by jaguars.
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HERPETOFAUNA
Reptiles & Amphibians of the Wetlands
Beyond the well-known anacondas and caimans, the Pantanal is teeming with a diverse range of reptiles and amphibians. Keep an eye out for vibrant tree frogs, iguanas and turtles that thrive in this wetland paradise. These fascinating creatures play key roles in maintaining the balance of this rich ecosystem and add an exciting layer to your wildlife experience.
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FISH
The Aquatic Life of the Pantanal's Waters
The Pantanal’s vast network of rivers, lakes, and flooded plains supports an incredible variety of fish species. From the iconic piranha to the gentle pacu and powerful golden dorado, these aquatic inhabitants play a crucial role in the wetland’s ecosystem. Fishing birds, reptiles, and mammals all depend on them, making fish an exciting part of your wildlife adventure.
For those interested, we offer optional fishing experiences as an extra on any of our tours: an unforgettable way to connect with the Pantanal’s unique aquatic life.
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Ready for the Ultimate Wildlife Experience?
​Step into the wild heart of the Pantanal with us, where every moment is a chance to witness nature’s most incredible species up close.
Guided by expert guides, passionate about conservation and wildlife, you’ll not only see amazing animals, you’ll experience their world like never before.
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Don’t just dream about the Pantanal,
come and see it !
Book your tour today and embark on an unforgettable journey that will stay with you forever.
