Amphibian and Reptile Highlights of Iwokrama 

These animals are an important part of the Iwokrama Forest ecosystem. Faunal surveys completed in 1998 identified 135 species of amphibians and reptiles in the Forest. Eleven of the species collected were new to science.

Lizards and frogs are major vertebrate biomass components of many Neotropical forests and are important in regulation of insects and as prey for other vertebrates.

Green Iguana

Iguana iguana

Several of the reptiles of the Iwokrama Forest, including the Black Caiman, the river turtles and the Emerald Boa and Green Anaconda are globally endangered yet locally common.

South American Yellow-footed tortoise

Gecochelone denticulata

Some of the notable species found in the Forest...

• World's largest caiman - Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger)
• World's largest pit viper - Bushmaster (Lachesis muta; see venomous snakes)
• World's largest freshwater turtle - Giant South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa)