Orchid Mae Letter 23 - The Lost Animals

The Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Spanning across nine South American countries, it is home to an estimated 10% of the world’s known species. Despite its richness in life, the Amazon has also been the site of heartbreaking loss—many species that once thrived in its lush landscape have gone extinct, often due to human activity.

Deforestation, climate change, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat destruction are major threats to Amazonian wildlife. These pressures have caused several species to disappear forever, while many others teeter on the brink of extinction. Some species are prehistoric and were discovered by fossils and others are more recent extinctions where the animals have no longer been observed in their wild habitats. Below are a few examples of these various species.

SPIX’S MACAW

Spix’s Macaw Zoological Illustration by Joseph Smit, 1878. Public Doman.

The Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is a striking blue parrot once native to the Brazilian Amazon. The species was first found and described in 1638 and then later named after Johann Baptist von Spix, a German naturalist who collected the first specimen in 1819. Sadly, the beautiful bird was classified as extinct in 2019, largely due to habitat loss and illegal trapping for the pet trade. Though the natural population in the wild is gone, a few individuals remain in captivity and there are conservation efforts underway to reintroduce Spix’s Macaws back into the wild.

GIANT GROUND SLOTH

Great Ground Sloth of South America. Illustration from Extinct Monsters, 1896. BHL

The great ground sloth was a massive, slow-moving mammal that lived in South America, including parts of the prehistoric Amazon. Belonging to the group Megatheriidae, some species could grow as large as modern elephants. Unlike today’s tree-dwelling sloths, ground sloths roamed the forest floor, feeding on leaves, fruits, and plants. Their long claws helped them pull down branches and defend against predators. They played a key role in shaping the ecosystem through seed dispersal and vegetation control. The great ground sloth went extinct around 10,000 years ago, likely due to climate changes and human hunting during the last Ice Age.

TITANBOA

Titanboa digital drawing. By Nobu Tamura 2009. Creative Commons

The Titanoboa was the largest snake ever discovered, living around 60 million years ago in what is now the Amazon Rainforest. It could grow up to 42 feet long and weigh over a ton. This prehistoric predator thrived in the warm, swampy climate that followed the extinction of the dinosaurs. Titanoboa likely hunted large prey like crocodiles and fish, using its powerful body to crush them. Its discovery in Colombia provided valuable insights into ancient ecosystems and climate conditions. As a top predator, Titanoboa played a key role in its environment, showcasing the incredible biodiversity that once existed in the Amazon.

Extinctions are not just losses of individual species; they have ripple effects that alter entire ecosystems. Pollinators disappear, affecting plant reproduction. Predators vanish, upsetting food chains. The extinction of even a small insect can impact hundreds of plant species and the animals that rely on them.

Learn the Words, People, and Expressions:

Coccoloba: a plant native to South America, some species such as coccoloba gigantifolia have leaves that grow up to 8ft in size.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccoloba_gigantifolia

https://www.rainforestmaker.org/extinction-of-rainforest-species-slows-future-growth.html

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jul/12/amazon-deforestation-species-extinction-debt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_American_animals_extinct_in_the_Holocene

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spix%27s_macaw#

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megatherium

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanoboa