About Tropical Endangered Animals

One reason for species becoming endangered is the reduction of their natural habitats. A prime example of this is the loss of most of the world's rain forests along with thousands of their inhabitants. Once covering about 14 percent of the world, rain forests now only make up about 2 percent of the globe. The reasons for this range from overdeforestation to the results of global warming. Not only does the general environment of the world suffer because of this, thousands of animal species are also thrown into limbo with the loss of their homes.

  1. Aye-Aye

    • The aye-aye is the world's largest nocturnal primate. It can be found in tropical rain forests only in Madagascar, where it builds nests up to 700 meters high in the branches of trees. It is directly related to the lemur and is feared by native tribes. This fear of the aye-aye led to the hunting and destruction of the species. Today only an estimated 100 aye-ayes are thought to exist.

    Golden Lion Tamarin

    • Also known as the golden marmoset, the golden lion tamarin is a tiny simian that weighs about 2 lbs. Its natural habitat is in South America within the rain forests of Brazil, and about a thousand of them are thought to exist in the wild.

    Hairy-Eared Dwarf Lemur

    • The hairy-eared dwarf lemur is perhaps the smallest known primate in the world. It is highly endangered, with only an estimated 500 or so existing only in the northeast regions of the Madagascar rain forest. It can weigh up to 1 1/2 lbs.

    Hyacinth Macaw

    • The hyacinth macaw is the largest of the flying parrot species in the world, and can be found in the Amazon basin in South America. Often confused with the Lear macaw, the far larger hyacinth is endangered due to its popularity as a domestic pet.

    Indian Python

    • The Indian python is becoming a threatened species for two reasons: the irrational human fear of the largest known breed of snake has caused its demise, and overclearing of forests has compromised its habitat. This snake can be found in several different habitats and can adapt to many climates, but it prefers to be high in the treetops where it can prey on mammals and birds.

    Monteverde Golden Toad

    • The golden toad was once an overabundant species that was frequently seen in the Costa Rican town of Monteverde. These tree-dwelling toads were never widespread and could only be found in the tropical rain forests of this South American region. Nobody has seen a Monteverde golden toad since the late 1980s, but there is hope that few may still exist deep within the tropical forests of Costa Rica.

    Giant Otter

    • Giant otters grow to about 6 feet in length and can weigh a staggering 70 pounds. They were once abundantly found in the rivers and streams of the Amazon rain forest but are now becoming threatened due to several factors such as the loss of their natural habitat and poaching by human hunters.