Know Before You Go

Correct Answer: Pink River Dolphin

Explanation: The pink river dolphin, with its unique coloring, has inspired much local lore. Another legend claims the dolphins are able to shape-shift into seductive humans. Pink river dolphins are threatened by damming, water pollution and poaching. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and its local partner ProDelphinus are leading the first-ever effort to tag pink river dolphins in order to better understand these beautiful creatures. As human encroachment becomes more of a problem in this region, it is more critical than ever to fully understand the river's biodiversity and resources. 

Photo Credit—Giant Amazon River Turtle: Cassiano (Zapa) Zaparoli

Correct Answer: Andean cock-of-the-rock

Explanation: Found in the cloud forests, the Andean cock-of-the-rock is the national bird of Peru. They are fruit eaters, and males are distinctive due to their bright orange feathers. 

Fun Fact: According to Mayan legend, king vultures were messengers between humans and the gods. 

Photo Credits—Paradise tanager: Francesco Veronesi from Italy [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons; Andean cock-of-the-rock: Bill Bouton from San Luis Obispo, CA, USA [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons; Hoatzin: Murray Foubister [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons; King Vulture: Olaf Oliviero Riemer [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons; Marvelous Spatuletail: 2il.org [CC BY 2.0] via Flickr

Correct Answer: Kiwi

Explanation: Fruits and vegetables such as acai, passion fruit, guava, avocado and chili pepper, spices such as cinnamon and delicacies such as chocolate all come from the Amazon. The kiwi originated in China—the first record of this fruit is from the Song dynasty in the 12th century. 

Fun Fact: The kiwi is also known as the Chinese gooseberry. 

Photo Credits—Acai: Camila Neves Rodrigues da Silva [CC BY-SA 4.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Correct Answer: Pygmy marmoset

Explanation: The pygmy marmoset in the Amazon is 5 to 6 inches long and weighs less than 5 ounces, making it the smallest monkey in the world. Golden-mantled tamarins, woolly monkeys and red howler monkeys can also all be found in the Amazon.

Fun Fact: The smallest primate is Madame Berthe's mouse lemur in Madagascar.

Photo Credits—Golden-mantled tamarin: lowjumpingfrog [CC BY 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons; Woolly monkey: Hans Hillewaert via Wikimedia Commons; Pygmy marmoset: JJ Huckin

Correct Answer: 10 feet

Explanation: One of the most fascinating and beautiful plants you’ll encounter when cruising down the Amazon is the giant water lily (Victoria amazonica). These lilies are found in shallow and slow-moving waters in the Amazon River basin. After scarab beetles pollinate the flowers, the lilies change from white to pink.

Fun Facts: Giant water lilies are the national flower of the country Guyana. The genus is named after Queen Victoria. Photo Credit—Hugh M. Smith

Correct Answer: Colombia

Explanation: Peru ranks second after Colombia in diversity of birds (Brazil is third, and Indonesia is fourth). Peru has the third highest diversity of reptiles and fifth highest diversity of mammals. Photo Credit—Mark Hickey

Correct Answer: All of the above

Explanation: Unlike Old World monkeys, New World monkeys have broader nostrils and many such as howler and spider monkeys have developed long prehensile tails. In addition, female New World monkeys have the unique ability to bear twins. Photo Credit—Cathy Drexler

Correct Answer: 1/5

Explanation: An enormous amount of our freshwater is found in the Amazon Basin. In order to preserve these precious reserves, it is crucial to understand the river dynamics of this region.

Fun Fact: The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in the Amazon has an average annual rainfall of 6.5 to 10 feet!

Correct Answer: True

Explanation: The other Seven Wonders of Nature are Halong Bay in Vietnam, Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil, Jeju Island in South Korea, Komodo Island in Indonesia, Puerto Princesa Underground River in the Philippines and Table Mountain in South Africa. Photo Credit—JJ Huckin

Correct Answer: More than 20%

Explanation: As Nat Hab travelers explore the Amazon, they will be amazed at the biodiversity found in the jungle canopy and on the forest floor. These forests, abounding with life, are the lungs of our planet.

Correct Answer: Spectacled caiman 

Explanation: The most common caiman is the spectacled caiman, which draws its name from the bony ridge between its eyes. The yacare caiman is also called the piranha caiman due to its preference for the razor-toothed fish. The largest species is the black caiman, which can reach up to 5 meters in length, while the smallest is Cuvier’s dwarf caiman.

Correct Answer: True

Explanation: While the Nile River is the longest, the Amazon is the largest river by volume, discharging 7,381,000 cubic feet per second. Due to its size, it is sometimes called “The River Sea.” The Amazon Basin is about 2,720,000 square miles, making it the largest river basin in the world. Photo Credit—Megan Koelemay

Correct Answer: 94

Explanation: Approximately 42,000 indigenous people live in this region. These populations fish, hunt, gather and grow foods such as rice, beans and peanuts for subsistence along the fertile riverbanks. WWF engages with these communities to managed protected areas. Ecotourism has provided a way for local people to earn a sustainable living by selling handicrafts and serving as tour guides.

Fun Fact: The Amazon Basin is home to more than 30 million indigenous people—350 ethnic groups rely on the forest for food, clothing and traditional medicines.

Photo Credit—Alan Kotok [CC BY 2.0] via Flickr