Alfred Russel Wallace (1895) was deeply impressed by
the animals he observed in the tropics:
Animal life is, on the whole, far more abundant
and more varied within the tropics than in any
other part of the globe, and a great number of
peculiar groups are found there which never extend
into temperate regions. Endless eccentricities of
form and extreme richness of colour are its most
prominent features, and these are manifested in the
highest degree in those equatorial lands where the
vegetation acquires its greatest beauty and its fullest
development.
In this chapter I will try to convey some of the
wonder Wallace felt and introduce you to some of the
“eccentric” creatures that dwell within rain forests.
As noted in the previous chapter, on the region’s
birdlife, no single book can offer anything other than a
sampling of the diverse creatures of the rain forest. So,
here I present here an array of Neotropical mammals
(plate 16- 1), reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates,
by no means intended to be inclusive (what a foolish
idea that would be), but rather with the focus of the
discussion on those that the visitor is likely to see or at
least hope to see.Mammals
As a group, rain forest mammals tend to be secretive
and mostly nocturnal, making it a challenge to see
them well. Unlike the diverse herds of large mammals
that inhabit the African plains, rain forest mammals
do not occupy open areas that allow for easy viewing
but rather scurry through the leafy canopy or over the
forest floor, often well ahead of the naturalist. Still, by
careful stalking or quiet sitting, especially in preserves
where the animals enjoy protection from hunting, it is
often possible to obtain excellent views of mammals.
In some places mammals, particularly monkeys,
have become relatively habituated to the presence of
humans and are easy to see and photograph. Many
mammals are primarily nocturnal, and a walk at night
with a good flashlight can be rewarding.
It is essential to understand two things about
Neotropical mammals and other animals as you move
through this chapter. First, as has occurred with bird
classification, mammal classification is an active work
in progress, and there have been numerous changes
since the 1998 edition of A Neotropical Companion.
Many splits have occurred, thus recognizing “new”
species, especially within the primates (as you will seeChapter 16. From Monkeys to Tarantulas: Endless Eccentricities
Plate 16- 1. Jaguar (Panthera onca), the Neotropical “king of
beasts.” Photo by Dennis Paulson.Plate 16- 2. Greater Tent- making Bat (Uroderma bilobatum).
Photo by Dennis Paulson.chapter 15 319