14 most terrifying creatures living in the Amazon River

The Amazon River and its surrounding rainforests are home to some of the most diverse life forms on Earth. The Amazon, one of the longest rivers in the world, offers a rich habitat for a wide variety of animals. Some of them are delightfully beautiful, while others are undoubtedly intimidating. Many Amazon species have evolved to be truly fearsome.

These strange Amazonian animals can be scary for a variety of reasons. Some look like they crawled straight out of a nightmare. Others are dangerous predators, capable of crippling anything they come across. In addition, there are animals that look harmless but are actually killing machines that should be avoided at all costs.

Want to know what animals live in the Amazon? The answers may scare you. Animals wreak havoc around the world, but those that live only in the Amazon River are especially terrible. See some of the most interesting and alarming animals in the Amazon.

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1. Giant centipede.

The giant centipede is one of the largest insects, which is directly related to its creepy factor: an adult giant centipede can reach 30 cm in length. This giant creature can be found running around the forest floor near the Amazon River, where it preys on lizards, amphibians, and small mammals that inhabit the water.

2. Anaconda.

Anacondas are found throughout South America. They mainly live in swamps, swamps, and rivers; this makes the Amazon the perfect home for them. These snakes are huge: they can reach 9 meters in length and weigh an amazing 25 kg.

3. Common Vandella.

Candiru is a parasitic fish that lives in the basins of the Amazon River. It is small, usually only a few millimeters long. What makes her so intimidating is the way she eats. It penetrates the gills of larger fish and then burrows into it.

4. Black caiman.

The black caiman, which can grow up to 6 meters in length, is one of the deadliest animals for which the Amazon River is home. The dark coloration of its hide provides the perfect camouflage for night hunting, allowing it to ambush unsuspecting prey in the water.

5. Blunt shark.

Yes, there are sharks in the Amazon River. It is one of the most aggressive sharks in existence, and its love of shallow water makes it dangerous for anyone who swims.

6. Bird-eating goliath.

Many people are afraid of domestic spiders. Imagine how they would feel about a puppy-sized arachnid. It would be the goliath tarantula, the heaviest tarantula in the world. Reaching 12 cm in length and weighing up to 170 grams, it outshines almost any other spider.

7. Pointing frogs.

Numerous species of poisonous poison dart frogs live in the tropical forests of South America; some of them live in and around the Amazon River. At first glance, they are harmless, and their bright colors are quite pleasing. But these are some of the deadliest creatures on the planet. Their bright hues serve as a warning: a powerful toxin is leaking from their skin.

8. Electric eels.

Due to its special physiology, it is able to generate electricity with its organs. This electric shock can reach up to 600 volts within a few milliseconds. While it may not kill you, it can cause as much pain as a stun gun and make you feel numb.

9. Piranhas.

Piranhas may have the worst reputation of all fish on earth. These frantic killers are capable of ripping flesh from any animal in a matter of minutes. But most often these are shy creatures that hide in the basins of the Amazon River, where they feed mainly on other fish and insects.

10. Mackerel hydraulic.

Mackerel hydraulic is known as a vampire fish, and for good reason: it has a huge mouth, dotted with fangs that can reach 15 cm in length. While there is some debate about the maximum size of this fish, researchers believe they can grow to nearly 1.2 meters in length.

11. Giant arapaima

The giant arapaima is a massive fish that lives in the basins of the Amazon River and neighboring swamps and lakes. As one of the largest fish in the world, it can reach 3 meters in length and weigh a staggering 200 kg. But perhaps the worst thing about this fish is what it breathes: air.

12. Paku.

Paku is a species of fish closely related to piranhas, although it grows much larger. But the real nightmares start in her mouth. Her teeth are very similar to human teeth. And for a reason: the fish is omnivorous, so it often eats hard foods, including nuts.

13. Giant otters.

The giant otter is the largest member of its species in the world, and one of the largest mammals in South America. It lives exclusively in the Amazon River and in the surrounding watercourses. While it may not look particularly threatening, this apex predator is one of the most effective killers in the rainforest. Believe it or not, this otter is capable of killing and is anacondas and caimans. Groups of giant otters sometimes work in teams to grab the caiman's neck from behind, a vantage point where predators cannot be reached by the caiman's sharp teeth. Then they simply harass the caiman until it gets tired of the accumulation of lactic acid, allowing the otters to haul it ashore and eat it alive.

14. Fringed turtle.

The fringed turtle spends most of its life in water, only occasionally appearing on land to lay eggs. This is the only surviving member of its genus, whose appearance resembles more a dinosaur than a modern turtle. It can live up to 75 years and reach 50 cm in length. So what's scary? He has a creepy way of eating: he creates a vacuum in his mouth, which sucks in fish passing by.