World

10 Places Where Jaguars Live in the Wild

Jaguars are the only big cat in the Americas. They make for a striking sight, thanks to their powerful physique and eye-catching coats dotted with dark rosettes and spots. Only smaller than tigers and lions, the solitary creatures are superb hunters and have a strong bite; feeding off of everything, from capybara and marsh deer to tapirs, turtles, and caiman.

Listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, the ferocious predators now sadly only occupy around half of their historic range. Estimates vary as to how many are thought to still be living in the wild. While some researchers put the total population at around 170,000, other experts argue that it is closer to just 15,000.

This vast variation is because it is very hard to monitor jaguar numbers, as they usually inhabit the wildest and remotest reaches of rainforests and wetlands. So where do jaguars live in the wild? While they are incredibly hard to spot in the wild, jaguars can be sighted from Mexico in North America, right down to Argentina in South America.

1. Brazil

As the sprawling and steamy Amazon Rainforest covers so much of its territory, it is no wonder that Brazil is thought to be home to around half of the world’s remaining wild jaguars. Sightings are still rare though, due to their camouflaged coats, solitary nature, and the inaccessible areas of the jungle in which they reside.

Consequently, the best place to see the majestic creatures in Brazil is undoubtedly the Pantanal; the vast tropical wetlands that lie in the west of the country.

Most people head to Cuiaba River or Caiman Ecological Reserve, where you have a good chance of seeing them swim across a river or sunning themselves on a sandbank. Remarkably enough, jaguars in the Pantanal grow to be almost twice as big as their Amazonian counterparts.

2. Colombia

Bordering both Brazil and the Amazon Rainforest to the northwest is Colombia, which is also home to one of the largest populations of jaguars.

One of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, the fierce felines are surprisingly widespread throughout Colombia’s rainforests and wetlands, but are still very hard to spot due to their nocturnal habits and reclusive nature.

Cutting across Colombia is the Serrania de San Lucas—an integral part of the ‘Jaguar Corridor’ that connects their habitats in Central America to those of the Amazon Basin. Besides its pristine forests, visitors can also see jaguars in national parks, such as Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Chingaza, and El Tuparro, with Tayrona being the most popular of the lot.

3. Venezuela

Right next to both these countries is Venezuela, which along with Brazil and Paraguay, boasts some of the largest jaguars in the world. Much bigger than those of Central America, its hefty hunters can weigh as much as 120 kilos with the largest females reaching around 90 kilos in total.

Most of Venezuela’s jaguars can be found either in the remote rainforest that coats the south of the country or the rolling plains of Los Llanos. Here they hunt capybara and giant anteaters, with turtles and caiman also occasionally serving as tasty meals.

Although incredibly elusive, visitors may spot the rare jaguar in Canaima or Terepaima national parks, and even the historic Henri Pittier National Park which lies along the country’s coastline.

4. Costa Rica

Renowned for its beautiful nature and wildlife, Costa Rica has long been lauded as a sustainable ecotourism destination. Much of its territory is protected as part of national parks or nature reserves. Within its steamy rainforests and mountains roam countless jaguars, with the even rarer melanistic jaguar or black panther also having been spotted prowling about.

One of the species’ final strongholds in Central America is Corcovado, which is considered to be the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system. While sightings are uncommon, visitors do often come across their tracks along the beach.

In addition, jaguars are also known to reside alongside pumas, ocelots, and margay in the tropical forests of La Amistad International Park.

5. Mexico

While jaguars once roamed across the southwestern states of the US, now only the odd, isolated individual is spotted from time to time. As such, Mexico is the northernmost country on the planet where populations of the predators still survive, although their habitats are under severe pressure from human activity and encroachment.

Much smaller than their South American counterparts, Mexico’s jaguars weigh around fifty kilos with the main bulk of their prey consisting of white-tailed deer.

While sightings are rare, healthy populations of jaguars can be found in both Calakmul and Chamela-Cuixmala biosphere reserves. Although numerous wildlife corridors have been set up to connect the areas they live in, jaguars are increasingly rare in both the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra de Tamaulipas mountain ranges.

6. Belize

One of the most biodiverse places on Earth, Belize is home to all kinds of incredible animals, with over half its land being coated in forest.

Residing amidst the tropical forests of the Maya Mountains are countless jaguars, with the Central American country boasting the world’s first nature reserve dedicated to the protection and conservation of these animals.

Established in 1986, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary sprawls over a huge area with solitary males, and females with their cubs, roaming and hunting within its confines.

While many jaguars live amidst its dense forests and alongside its rivers and rapids, it is still highly unlikely that visitors will catch a glimpse of the reclusive creatures—besides seeing paw prints that they’ve left behind.

7. French Guiana

Almost entirely covered by verdant rainforest, French Guiana is one of the most sparsely populated places in the world, with all its towns and villages located solely along its Atlantic Ocean coastline. While its wild and remote reaches are almost impenetrable, and still not completely explored due to the dense vegetation, this thankfully protects the natural habitat of the elusive jaguars.

Most of the camouflaged creatures live in the gigantic Guiana Amazonian Park which is remarkably one of the largest national parks and protected areas in the world.

Amidst the endless rainforest, the jaguars stalk and ambush their prey, using their expert climbing and swimming skills to surprise unsuspecting animals. As well as capybara and agouti, they also take down tapirs from time to time.

8. Peru

While Peru is mostly known for being home to the Incas and Andes, a huge swathe of the Amazon Rainforest, and all its astounding animals, can be found in the east of the country. Within its excellent national parks reside countless jaguars, with the spotted cats being quite widespread throughout both the rainforest and the Tropical Andes.

Besides breathtaking scenery, parks such as Manu and Huascaran are quite accessible and well-developed, with visitors sometimes spotting jaguars prowling about.

In addition to these popular parks, both Cerros de Amotape and Yanachaga-Chemillen also house populations of jaguars. As they were once revered as a sacred animal by Peru’s early peoples, many sculptures and figures of jaguars have been unearthed at its archaeological sites.

9. Paraguay

Although often overlooked by tourists, Paraguay is also home to some fabulous nature and wildlife. While the east of the country is mostly made up of grassy plains and wooded hills, the marshy lands of the north also include part of the Pantanal, which is where jaguars can sometimes be spotted.

Along scenic and secluded sections of the Paraguay River and its tributaries, visitors can sometimes see jaguars swimming from bank to bank.

In this remote region, breeding pairs are often observed to stay together for up to five days, which is something quite unusual for the solitary creatures. Besides hunting for caiman and deer here, jaguars are also found in the wetlands of the southeast, which are set aside for the proposed San Rafael National Park.

10. Honduras

Also lying along the Jaguar Corridor, which runs from the northern reaches of Mexico to Argentina, is Honduras. A biodiversity hotspot, Honduras’s verdant rainforests and mountains are home to all kinds of animals, with both jaguars and puma living beside the tapirs and peccaries that they hunt.

Most of its incredible animals can be found in the sprawling mountains and tropical forests that lie along the La Mosquitia region of its Caribbean coastline.

Here you’ll find the beautiful Bio Platano Biosphere Reserve, which boasts a vast array of wildlife and nature and is now a popular ecotourism destination. Lucky visitors may even spot a jaguar padding silently through the forest or swimming across one of its many rivers.

10 Places Where Zebras Live in the Wild

Instantly recognizable due to their distinctive black-and-white striped coats, zebras are one of the most well-known African animals on the savanna. While their camouflaged coats already make for a striking sight, seeing massive herds of zebras all move together as they migrate across the plains is an awe-inspiring experience.

On safaris in Africa, guests can see and snap photos of the beautiful and elegant animals up close and personal. So where do zebras live in the wild? While they were once spread throughout the continent, the large equines are now only found in the eastern and southern countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

The plains zebra, or common zebra as it is also known, is the most widespread of the species in terms of both numbers and geography. There are six or seven subspecies inhabiting grasslands and savannas across Africa. In contrast, the larger species of endangered Grevy’s zebra only lives in several semi-arid areas of Kenya and Ethiopia. The vulnerable mountain zebra also only inhabits certain specific environments and is mainly found in the rugged mountains and hills of Namibia and South Africa.

1. Kenya

Thanks to its successful conservation strategies, close work with local communities and sprawling wildlife reserves, Kenya boasts some of the largest herds of zebras on the planet. While the marvels of the Masai Mara are renowned around the world, important populations of endangered Grevy’s zebra can also be found in its northern national reserves.

The massive open grasslands of the Masai Mara are, however, the best place to see plains zebras in the wild. Around July of each year, one of nature’s greatest events takes place—more than a million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras migrate to the Masai Mara from the Serengeti. While the Great Migration is spellbinding to witness, you can also find large herds of zebras in both Tsavo East and Tsavo West national parks.

2. Tanzania

Kenya’s East African neighbor Tanzania is also one of the best places to see both the Great Migration and zebras in the wild. From around January to March, zebras graze on the rain-ripened grasses and give birth to thousands of tiny foals before the whole herd migrates north in search of fresh pastures.

While seeing the mass migration is an unforgettable experience, Tanzania also has plenty of other national parks and wildlife reserves to explore. Besides the magnificent and much-visited Ngorongoro Conservation Area, visitors can enjoy safaris in Mikumi and Ruaha national parks, both of which contain huge herds of Grant’s zebras; the smallest subspecies of plains zebra.

3. South Africa

Another nation that is famed for its incredible wildlife and national parks is South Africa, which has the continent’s most developed tourism industry. The most popular place to go on safari is Kruger National Park; its spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife not only includes tens of thousands of common zebras but the Big Five too.

While the plains zebra can be spotted throughout the country, South Africa is also home to some of the world’s last remaining populations of mountain zebras. Of these, the vulnerable Cape mountain zebras are thought to number just 700 in total and can only be found in Karoo and Mountain Zebra national parks. The other subspecies, Hartmann’s mountain zebras, are slightly more numerous and have a larger range, being located in both the Goegap Nature Reserve and neighboring Namibia.

4. Namibia

Somewhat similar to Kruger, Etosha National Park is Namibia’s most famous and popular wildlife viewing destination as its endless plains and waterholes teem with life. Huge herds of plains zebras and their distinctive camouflaged coats can be seen throughout the park, while the hardy Hartmann’s mountain zebra can also be spotted in its rocky western regions.

Like its cousin the Cape mountain zebra, this subspecies prefers to live among rugged, dry, and mountainous terrain and forms much smaller family groups. Perfectly adapted for the harsh, hot hills they inhabit, these zebras have fast-growing hooves, are very nimble and live off of tufts of grass scattered about the escarpment. Besides Etosha, you can also find them in the hyper-arid mountains of Namib-Naukluft National Park.

5. Zambia

Another country that is home to big herds of zebras is Zambia which is widely regarded to be one of the best places in the world to see animals up close and in the wild. Almost a third of its landmass is protected as part of national parks or nature reserves with stunning scenery, nature, and wildlife wherever you look.

Due to their abundance of animals, the most popular parks to visit are Kafue, South Luangwa, and Lower Zambezi. Amidst their verdant grasslands and vast floodplains, you can spot elephants, lions, and giraffes with several subspecies of plains zebra, such as Grant’s, Chapman’s and Crawshay’s, also on show.

While they look quite similar, the zebra can be differentiated by subtle variations in the shape and shading of their stripes.

6. Botswana

As Botswana’s national animal, zebras not only appear on the country’s coat of arms but also have their stripes featured on its flag. Fittingly enough, huge herds of plains zebras can be found throughout its nature reserves, with the Okavango Delta one of the most magical places to see them in the world.

One of the largest inland deltas on Earth, seasonal flooding transforms the basin and the resulting greenery attracts all kinds of animals. While antelopes, gazelles and zebras come to graze on its grasses, predators such as lions and cheetahs also come to prey on them.

Besides exploring the delta’s massive Moremi Game Reserve, visitors can also head to Chobe National Park, which is widely reputed to have the highest concentration of game in the country.

7. Malawi

Although it is not as well known for its wildlife, landlocked Malawi also boasts some incredible national parks and nature reserves. Delightfully under-visited in comparison with those of Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, their scenic confines are home to a staggering array of animals with countless plains zebras to be found alongside rhinos, leopards, and hippos.

Largely set on a plateau, with the long Lake Malawi making up most of its eastern border, its lush grasslands and savanna woodland are the ideal habitats for zebras to thrive in. Most of the country’s zebras are from the Crawshay’s subspecies, which have narrower stripes than other plains zebras.

The best places to see zebras are amidst the gorgeous scenery of both Nyika and Liwonde national parks.

8. Zimbabwe

While it is most famous for being home to the spectacular Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is another of Southern Africa’s landlocked countries to house large herds of plains zebras. As much of the nation is made up of savanna, zebras and their distinctive stripes can be spotted throughout its parks and reserves.

The best place to see them though is Hwange National Park which is Zimbabwe’s premier wildlife viewing destination. Besides leopards and lions, you can spy Burchell’s zebra which is distinguished by its shadow stripes that lie between the broad and bold markings of its haunches.

Long considered a sacred symbol by Zimbabwe’s Shona people, zebra stripes have been found decorating parts of Great Zimbabwe; the ancient stone city after which the country is named.

9. Ethiopia

Although most zebras live much further south in the continent, isolated pockets of the endangered Grevy’s zebra can also be found amidst the semi-arid grasslands of southern Ethiopia. Also known as the imperial zebra, it is the largest kind of equid living in the wild and is much more mule-like in appearance than its stripey cousins.

Now considered stable after decades of steep decline, populations of this more solitary subspecies of zebra are mostly found in the scenic yet secluded Chelbi Wildlife Reserve and Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary. Here you can spot them grazing and galloping about the sun-scorched scrub and grasslands.

Thanks to conservation efforts by the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments, there are now said to be around 2,500 Grevy’s zebras in the wild.

10. Uganda

As well as being home to the magnificent mountain gorilla, Uganda’s numerous national parks and nature reserves protect not just thousands of plains zebras but the Big Five too. Despite often being overlooked in favor of neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, the landlocked nation offers up some unforgettable wildlife viewing opportunities.

Besides seeing Burchell’s zebra in both Lake Mburo National Park and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, visitors can also spot maneless zebras in Kidepo Valley National Park. The northernmost subspecies of plains zebra can be recognized by its very short mane.

As most of the park is made up of open tree savanna, herds of delightful zebras can be seen grazing alongside elephants and buffalo, with the rare Rothschild’s Giraffe also spotted from time to time.

10 Places Where Lions Live in the Wild

One of the most renowned and respected animals on the planet, the mighty lion is seen to symbolize both power and royalty in numerous cultures and countries around the world. Due to their phenomenal strength, hunting prowess, and regal nature, as well as the male’s majestic manes, they are often fittingly called the ‘king of beasts’.

While prides of the powerful predators once roamed Europe, Asia, and Africa, today most lions living in the wild are only found south of the Sahara. One isolated population is also located in the Gujarat state of India.

In total, there are sadly only believed to be around 20,000 of the incredible creatures still living in the wild today. This is in large part because human activity has encroached on the grasslands, savannas, and woodlands where lions hunt prey such as antelopes and zebras.

So what are the remained places where lions live in the wild? Luckily, the fearsome hunters do still exist in around 26 African countries with some being home to stable and even increasing populations. Seeing them in the wild is an awe-inspiring experience and safaris are one of the best ways to see lions happy and in their natural habitat.

1. Tanzania

Home to the most remaining lions in the world, Tanzania is without a doubt the best place to see these majestic animals up close and in the wild. Every year thousands of tourists flock to the East African country to go on safari amidst its stunning scenery. The Serengeti alone is thought to be home to around 3,000 lions.

On the expansive plains, teams of lions coordinate and work together to bring down gazelles, zebras, and wildebeest for the pride to feast on. While both dusk and dawn are their most active periods and preferred hunting times, you can sometimes see them stalking prey throughout the day.

In addition to the Serengeti National Park, both Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Ruaha National Park house large populations of the ferocious predators.

2. Botswana

Botswana’s main draw is undoubtedly its wildlife with huge swathes of nature and wilderness protected as national parks. While lions are commonly spotted throughout the country, the most spectacular place to see them is the Okavango Delta; one of the most unique and unforgettable safari destinations on Earth.

While lions usually dislike water, in the Delta they have learnt to navigate channels, floodplains and even islands in search of prey. Even more remarkable is the fact that Botswana’s big cats hunt and bring down, not only antelopes and gazelles, but buffaloes, hippos, and adult elephants too.

Besides the Delta’s Moremi Game Reserve, the other main place to see lions in the wild is Chobe National Park, which is home to a huge concentration of game.

3. Kenya

Rivaling both Tanzania and Botswana in terms of their wonderful wildlife is Kenya, which has long been a popular safari destination. Thanks to successful and innovative conservation initiatives and close work with local communities, more than 2,000 lions are now believed to live in its numerous national parks.

The best place to see them though is the renowned Maasai Mara, which stretches away endlessly in the southwest of the country. While its vast grasslands are home to the Big Five and innumerable lions, lionesses, and cubs, visitors can also see large prides on safaris in both Meru and Tsavo West national parks, among others.

Impressively enough, lions can even be spotted in Nairobi National Park which lies literally on the outskirts of the nation’s capital.

4. South Africa

One of the most famous and popular places to see lions in the wild is in South Africa, which boasts an astounding array of excellent national parks and nature reserves. Once scattered throughout the country, lions now mostly reside within protected pockets with the only free-roaming felines to be found in the north and eastern parts of the nation.

While the Gondwana, Kwandwe and Shamwari game reserves all offer up some fabulous wildlife viewing, the star of the show is undoubtedly Kruger National Park, which is home to around 1,600 lions.

In addition to snapping photos of them resting in the shade or seeing prides of lions roaming about the savanna, you may also encounter the elusive and rare white lion from time to time.

5. Zambia

Although it is often overlooked in favor of neighboring Botswana and Tanzania, Zambia is also home to one of the largest populations of lions on the continent. In total around 1,200 of the mighty creatures are believed to reside within the country. Most visitors head off on unforgettable safaris after having taken in the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.

The three main places to see lions in the wild are the national parks of South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and Kafue. While all three offer incredible wildlife viewing, it is the former that is widely considered to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. On top of seeing prides of lions during the day, visitors can organize nighttime safaris and even exhilarating safaris on foot through the bush.

6. Mozambique

While countless lions once roamed the game-rich wetlands of the Zambezi Delta, Mozambique’s fifteen year-long civil war sadly saw their numbers dwindle drastically. Now, however, the southeast African country’s lion population is slowly recovering with over 150 of the majestic animals to be found in Gorongosa National Park alone.

Seldom visited by tourists, the sprawling park encompasses a vast valley with its savannas and woodlands being the perfect habitat for lions to live in. While they remarkably spend around twenty hours per day reclining and sleeping, the rest of the time you can see lions prowling about and hunting for prey.

Besides Gorongosa, you can also spot lions in the wild in Banhine and Limpopo national parks, as well as up north in the Niassa Nature Reserve.

7. Namibia

Widely considered to boast some of the most successful conservation strategies in all sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia is now thought to be home to as many as 800 lions. While most roam about Etosha National Park, some prides of hardy desert lions eke out a living along the sun-scorched Skeleton Coast. They sometimes feed off of seabirds and even seals when other food sources are scarce.

Most of the country’s lions, however, live and hunt within the remote realms of northern Namibia; Khaudum and Etosha national parks house the largest populations. In addition to seeing lions congregate around the Okondeka or Ombika waterholes, visitors also stand a great chance of seeing them in the parks and reserves of the Caprivi Strip.

8. Cameroon

Delightfully known as ‘Africa in Miniature’ due to its diverse peoples, cultures and ecosystems, the Central African country of Cameroon is also fittingly home to lots of lions. While many populations are under pressure from human activity, prides of the predators can still be found in the numerous national parks scattered throughout its northern realms.

While only a dozen or so are thought to remain in Waza National Park, many more are believed to live in both Benoue and Bouba Njida national parks, as well as Faro Reserve. In total, just under 300 lions are estimated to reside among Cameroon’s grasslands, woodlands, and transition zones. Their most common prey consists of antelopes and waterbucks, as well as the occasional buffalo.

9. Benin

wikipedia/Micho2020

As it is home to some of the largest prides of the critically endangered West African lion, Benin is one of the best places to see the ferocious hunter up close and in the wild. One of the last remaining strongholds of the big cat in the region is Pendjari National Park, which is located in the northwest of the country.

Although often overlooked by tourists, Pendjari is one of West Africa’s top wildlife destinations and has around a hundred lions residing within its confines. Besides seeing lions play, prowl, and hunt for prey amidst its vast savannas and woodlands, visitors can spy everything, from elephants and hippos to cheetahs and antelope.

10. India

Although it is almost certainly not the first place that springs to mind when people think of lions in the wild, India is actually home to the last remaining population of Asiatic lions. While they once roamed across much of the Middle East and Western Asia, the majestic animals can now sadly only be found in Gir National Park in Gujarat.

A conservation success story, the lions are now thought to number around 600, up from just a dozen in the late 19th century. Slightly smaller than their African cousins, Asiatic lions also have a thicker coat and less of a mane. Going on safari in Gir National Park is an amazing experience as you can see lions prowling about its sparse woodlands and dry grasslands.

10 Places Where Penguins Live in the Wild

While most people associate penguins with the endless ice and snow of Antarctica, the cute critters inhabit diverse countries and habitats. Barring the Galapagos penguin which lives on tropical islands just to the north of the equator, all the rest of the 17 or so species can be found in scenic and secluded spots within the Southern Hemisphere.

In general, penguins live in colonies along a country’s coastline or on isolated islands that are surrounded by waters teeming with krill, fish, and squid; their main food source. Highly adapted for life at sea, the flightless birds have flippers rather than wings which propel them through the water after their prey.

To help them evade and escape predators such as orcas and leopard seals, the agile aquatic creatures are camouflaged with black backs and white fronts. Penguins come in a wide range of sizes with the smallest standing at just 30 centimeters in height and the tallest – the majestic emperor penguin – towering to over a meter.

1. Antarctica

Surrounding the South Pole is the Earth’s southernmost continent, the inhospitable and ice-clad Antarctica. Amidst the biting cold and blinding blizzards, five species of penguin live, huddling together for warmth and protection, on the thick pack ice and endless ice shelves.

The most famous of these is the aforementioned emperor penguin, the tallest and heaviest of the entire species. Remarkably enough, they are also the only kind that breeds during the freezing Antarctic winters in massive breeding colonies that number in the thousands.

Like their nearby neighbors, Adelie, Chinstrap, Gentoo and King penguins also live on and around the icy edges of Antarctica. While seeing these incredible waddling creatures from up close is an amazing experience, Antarctica is, unfortunately, the most inaccessible of all Earth’s continents with only a few tours that take people to see the penguins each year.

2. South Africa

While most people would usually associate Africa with lions, elephants, and giraffes, the continent is also home to the African penguin with numerous colonies found scattered along South Africa’s coastline. Also known as the ‘black-footed’ or ‘jackass penguin’ due to its loud donkey-like bray, the charismatic species is very popular with tourists but has sadly been in decline for a while now.

In total, South Africa is home to the vast majority of the Earth’s African penguin population. Most of the beautiful birds reside either in Algoa Bay, the Eastern Cape or on isolated islands off the Western Cape. The most popular place to see them, and even swim alongside them, though is at Boulders Beach, just outside Cape Town.

Besides walking alongside penguins on the sheltered beach, visitors can also view the 60 centimeter-tall birds and their colony from the nearby boardwalk. As well as being a top tourist attraction, the penguins play an important role in the survival of their species. They are the only colony to still breed on the continent, with all the rest nesting on islands offshore.

3. Galapagos Islands

Renowned around the world for its unique wildlife, the isolated Ecuadorian archipelago of the Galapagos Islands lies in the Pacific Ocean, over a thousand kilometers from the mainland of South America. Although the small collection of volcanic islands are tropical, they host the Earth’s northernmost penguin population; the Galapagos penguin.

Despite the warm climate, the second smallest species of penguin has survived thanks to the cooling and nutrient-rich waters of the Humboldt and Cromwell Currents. In addition to this, they have also developed several ingenious techniques to keep cool, such as panting, protecting their feet from the sun, and keeping their eggs and chicks in the shade.

Almost all of the penguins can be found on the western islands of Fernandina and Isabela, with only small scatterings living on the other isles. A monogamous species that mates for life, the Galapagos penguin is sadly in steep decline due to factors such as illegal fishing, unreliable food sources, and the many predators that prey on them due to their small size.

4. New Zealand

Although it might not get quite as cold as Antarctica, a staggering 13 species of penguin have been sighted in New Zealand over the years. While some breed along the South Island’s cold and craggy coastline, others inhabit the subantarctic archipelagos of the Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty, Campbell, and Snares Islands.

Lying hundreds of kilometers to the south of mainland New Zealand, these isolated and uninhabited islands boast several important breeding colonies. Within their rocky reaches live erect-crested, southern rockhopper and Snares penguins; all of which exhibit exquisitely coloured quiffs and crests.

On the South Island, you can also find other species, such as the Fiordland crested penguin and the rare yellow-eyed penguin. While the former remarkably nests among tree roots and in coastal forests, the latter makes for a very popular tourist attraction with many people going to visit the colonies on the Otago Peninsula.

5. Argentina

The eighth-largest country in the world, Argentina lies mostly in the southern half of South America with its cold climes home to four species of penguin. While only a few small Gentoo breeding colonies have so far been discovered, Macaroni, southern rockhopper and Magellanic penguins are relatively common and inhabit numerous coastal regions and islands.

As the Macaroni penguins in Argentina only breed on isolated islands that are very inaccessible, most visitors instead go to see the other two species. At Puerto Deseado, for instance, you can take a boat trip to the nearby Isla Pinguino to see southern rockhoppers hopping about the rocky island and nesting amidst its tall grasses.

One of the most popular places to see penguins, however, is at Punta Tombo in Patagonia where hundreds of thousands of Magellanic penguins come to breed between August and October each year. Stretching for as far as the eye can see, the massive colony certainly makes for a spectacular sight as all the proud parents and fluffy hatchlings coat the wide beaches of the peninsula.

6. Namibia

While Namibia might not be the first place that springs to mind when people think of penguins, the Southern African nation also has a couple of colonies scattered along its rocky coastline. In general, small groups of African penguins can be found either in secluded spots on the mainland that are protected from predators or on craggy coastal islands just offshore.

Many of the smallish species breed at either Hollams Bird Island or the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, with many more residing on the, appropriately named, Penguin Islands. In total, the pretty penguins can be found from Roastbeef Island in the south, right up to Cape Fria in the north. They can be distinguished from other kinds of penguins by the distinctive pink glands above their eyes.

While the number of African penguins on the continent has sadly been in decline now for a few decades, due to decreases in sardine stocks and other environmental pressures, Namibia’s population has thankfully remained relatively stable.

7. South Georgia Island

Surrounded by the wild waters of the Atlantic Ocean is the secluded subantarctic South Georgia Island, over two thousand kilometers to the east of South America’s tip. Administered by the United Kingdom, and only accessible by boat, its remote reaches and numerous bays and fjords are home to a plethora of penguins, as well as countless other kinds of birds and seals.

Most hardy adventurers and avid bird watchers who make it to the isolated isle come to see its huge colonies of King penguins. In total, around a million of the incredible creatures can be found at both St Andrews Bay and Salisbury Plain where they cover its beaches year-round. This is because the waters surrounding the island are rich in terms of both nutrients and sea life. The aquatic birds are remarkably able to dive over a hundred metres in depth to search for food.

While seeing so many of the second largest species of penguin is certainly South Georgia’s standout attraction, the idyllic isle is also inhabited by colonies of chinstrap and Gentoo penguins. It is also well known for boasting the world’s largest colony of Macaroni penguins, said to number around three million breeding pairs in total.

8. Falkland Islands

Made up of two main islands and hundreds of smaller ones, the Falkland Islands are located far off the east coast of Argentina in South America. Biogeographically part of the Antarctic zone, its cold and wind-swept coasts, hills, and even cliffs, are inhabited by penguins with many other birds and wildlife also on show.

The most prevalent of its penguins are the remarkable rockhoppers who defy gravity as they scale steep cliffs to sit atop of escarpments overlooking the sea. While there certainly are a lot of them, most of the migratory species live on and around the uninhabited Beauchene and Jason islands.

The Falkland Islands are also home to the largest population of Gentoo penguins in the world. Due to this, the cute critters with their distinctive white head marking act somewhat as a mascot for the British overseas territory. The archipelago also has sizeable colonies of King, Macaroni and Magellanic penguins scattered about here and there.

9. Chile

Sandwiched between the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, is the long and narrow country of Chile which makes up most of the west of South America. Home to a staggeringly long coastline, it boasts some of the most awe-inspiring and accessible penguin populations in the world. Five different species can be found inhabiting its cooler southern realms.

Just off the southernmost tip of mainland South America, for instance, is the Tierra del Fuego where you can find the phenomenal Pinguino Rey Park. As well as being home to stunning scenery, it also boasts the continent’s only colony of King penguins, who make for a fine sight with their regal stature and colourful plumage.

Besides the many Macaroni, Magellanic and southern rockhopper penguins who live along Chile’s craggy coast and on isolated isles, the country also hosts most of the world’s Humboldt penguins. Named after the famous German naturalist and explorer, its countless colonies dot the entire coast with the majority residing within the Pinguino de Humboldt National Reserve in the north of Chile.

10. Australia

As well as being home to kangaroos, koalas and wallabies, Australia and its sub-antarctic islands have six spectacular species of penguin for visitors to check out. While many of these live on isolated and icy isles nearer to Antarctica than the Outback, others can be found just a stone’s throw from both Melbourne and Sydney.

Just off the continent’s southern coastline, for instance, is Phillip Island which is home to the largest little penguin colony in the world. Also known as the fairy or little blue penguin due to its plumage, it is the smallest of the species, reaching an adorable 30 centimeters in height. These pint-sized penguins look amazing all rushing towards the sea together.

The rugged and remote Macquarie, Heard, and McDonald islands also house King, Royal, Gento, Macaroni, and rockhopper penguins. As the islands are very inaccessible, however, these captivating creatures and their colonies are only seldom visited by people other than scientists and researchers.

10 Places Where Sloths Live in the Wild

Renowned for being the slowest moving mammal on Earth, sloths can only be found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. While only being able to inch their way along branches and between trees may seem like a liability, their sluggish and sleepy nature actually has a number of important benefits.

Besides saving them an enormous amount of energy, their spectacularly slow movements also allow them to avoid detection from predators. In addition to this, it also gives algae enough time to grow on their fur which then helps to camouflage them amidst the canopies.

Sloths live in the jungle and spend almost all of their time sleeping and rarely leave the treetops, only descending once a week to go to the toilet at the foot of a tree. In fact, sloths can do almost everything hanging upside down from a branch as they sleep, eat, mate and even breed in that manner.

Despite being so named due to their low metabolism and slow and deliberate movements, sloths are surprisingly very good swimmers, even dropping into pools to go for a paddle from time to time. In total, six species of sloth can be found in the wild with some being two-toed and others three-toed.

1. Brazil

As so much of the continent-sized country is coated in the dense and diverse foliage and vegetation of the steamy Amazon rainforest, it should come as no surprise to learn that Brazil is home to five out of the six species of sloth.

While both the pale-throated and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth can only be found to the north of the Amazon River, the solitary and mostly nocturnal Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth inhabits just a thin slice of the far west of the country. The most common kind, the brown-throated sloth, is actually spread throughout the continent with its wide range even reaching all the way up to Honduras.

Besides all these amazing animals which are unfortunately quite elusive and inaccessible due to the wild reaches in which they reside, Brazil also boasts the majestic maned sloth which can be found nowhere else on Earth. Now considered to be vulnerable, these slow-moving sloths live in the Atlantic Forest that hugs Brazil’s southeastern coastline, not far from many seaside cities and towns.

2. Costa Rica

Long a popular nature travel destination, Costa Rica is home to a whole host of national parks with fabulous flora and fauna, volcanoes and rainforests wherever you look. As well as being one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, the small Central American country also has a couple of charming species of sloth for you to look out for, camouflaged against the canopy and cloud forests.

In fact, Costa Rica is often considered to be the best place in the world to see sloths up close and in the wild as it has just so many national parks and nature reserves in which you can spot them. For instance, the incredible Corcovado, Manuel Antonio and Santa Rosa are all home to the tranquil tree-dwellers, while Tortuguero National Park even has a superb sloth sanctuary to visit nearby.

While the brown-throated sloth is relatively easy to come across, especially at the privately owned Bijagua Ranas and La Fortuna, Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth is harder to spot as it is largely nocturnal. With so many places to see them, however, and so much spellbinding scenery on show, Costa Rica really is well-worth visiting if you want to see sloths in their natural habitat.

3. Panama

Situated just to the south of Costa Rica is Panama which is also home to the same species of sloth as its neighbor as well as one more welcome addition – the pygmy three-toed sloth. Mountainous in nature, it lies in between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean with its dense jungles being home to all kinds of awe-inspiring animals and wonderful wilderness.

Both two-toed and three-toed sloths can be spotted throughout the Central American country with some even spied from time to time in Panama City’s Metropolitan Park. Some of the best and most accessible places to see them are in Soberania National Park and at the Gamboa Wildlife Rescue Center which rehabilitates wounded and sick sloths before returning them to the wild.

On the Isla Escudo de Veraguas which lies just off of the country’s Caribbean coast, visitors can find the significantly smaller pygmy sloth which only resides within the isolated island’s red mangroves. Endemic and exclusive to the area, the sweet small sloths are sadly considered critically endangered with studies showing that only a few remain in the world.

4. Colombia

Occupying the northwest corner of South America is the colossal country of Colombia which is delightfully diverse in terms of its scenery, landscapes and nature. Besides boasting lots of beautiful beaches and craggy coastal areas, it is also home to the awe-inspiring Andes and Amazon rainforest with three species of sloth to be found scattered here and there.

While the shaggy-furred Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth lives in thick forests along the country’s Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, both the brown-throated and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth reside within the rainforest. As in many other countries, sloths here are often wonderfully compared to gardeners as they fertilize the forest floor and play an important role in spreading seeds.

If you don’t have time to visit the remote reaches of the rainforest, you may instead find them at the Aiunau Sloth Sanctuary on the outskirts of Medellin which nurses sick sloths back to health. On top of this, you can sometimes spot a sloth right in the center of Cartagena in the city’s Centenario Park.

5. Peru

These same three species of sloth can again be found in Colombia’s southern neighbor Peru with all of them living to the east of the Andes in its Amazon rainforest. With a huge variety of trees and canopy plants for them to eat, sleep and mate amidst, its steamy confines are the ideal environment for the slow-moving mammals to inhabit.

While both the Hoffmann’s and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths closely resemble one another, the brown-throated sloth is markedly different with its three-toes, blunter nose and smaller size. Although they are all omnivores, a sloth’s diet usually mostly consists of lots of low-energy leaves which goes a long way to explaining the fifteen or so hours a day that they sleep.

In Peru, the best places to see sloths in the wild include the phenomenal Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in the northeast and the tantalizing Tambopata National Reserve in the southeast, both of which also boast lots of breath-taking scenery and nature.

6. Ecuador

Nestled in the northwest of South America between both Colombia and Peru is Ecuador which, like its neighbors, is considered to be a megadiverse country. This is because it is home to a number of distinct ecosystems and is very biodiverse with its coastal lowlands giving way to the soaring Andes and expansive Amazon rainforest in the east.

While Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths can be found relaxing and reclining along the country’s cooler coasts as can the brown-throated sloth, the Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth instead inhabits the ever-wet rainforest. Although sloths are heterothermic and can adapt to whatever environment and climate they are in, this species of sloth prefers to live in hot and humid areas.

When traveling along the country’s long Pacific Ocean coastline, it is worth keeping an eye out for languid and lethargic sloths lying in the treetops. Alternatively, you may instead want to head to Ecuador’s Amazon region which is home to both Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and Yasuni National Park. Two of the most biodiverse places on Earth, their vast forests are also inhabited by both two-toed and three-toed sloth alongside countless other incredible creatures.

7. Nicaragua

Sandwiched between Honduras and Costa Rica is Nicaragua which is both the largest and least densely populated country in Central America. Although it is often referred to as ‘the land of lakes and volcanoes’, it also boasts a remarkable array of plants and wildlife with two species of slow-moving sloth to be found in its rainforests.

In many of the country’s seventy or so wildlife refuges and nature reserves, you can come across the sloths casually and calmly hanging upside down, almost perfectly camouflaged against the canopy. As they sprawl over such huge areas and are home to such dense vegetation and forests, the idyllic Indio Maiz Biological Reserve in the southeast and the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve in northeastern Nicaragua are two of the best places to visit to see sloths.

While the Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth prefers to move about, mate and eat during the dark of night, brown-throated sloths are more diurnal and are mostly active during the day. This is despite the fact that sloths have poor eyesight and cannot see all that much in bright sunshine – another factor that accounts for them being so slow.

8. Suriname

While Suriname may be the smallest state in South America, it certainly boasts some of the most untouched and unspoiled scenery and nature on the continent. Mostly made up of tropical rainforest, it lies tucked in between Guyana and French Guiana on the Caribbean with Brazil and the endless Amazon bordering it to the south.

Due to all of its pristine nature, both the Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth and the pale-throated sloth can be found residing and reclining within its rainforests. While the latter’s arms are almost twice the length of its legs, the limbs of the Linne’s two-toed sloth, as it is also known, are much more equal.

The easiest place to see sloths in the wild is at the brilliant Brownsberg Nature Park as it is located just 130 kilometers drive from Paramaribo, the capital. Otherwise, much of its remote rainforest is quite inaccessible with visitors having to travel by boat and 4X4 to reach such scenic, secluded and sloth-inhabited spots as the Central Suriname Nature Reserve.

9. Guyana

Right to the west of Suriname is Guyana which is home to some of the most unspoiled yet inaccessible rainforest on the planet. While most of the country is made up of rolling highlands with a low coastal plain along the Caribbean, vast swathes of steamy and spectacular rainforest cover its secluded south.

This is where you can find both the Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth and the pale-throated sloth tending to their forest gardens and slowly traveling from tree to tree. While their lichen-coated fur helps them to avoid detection, they do run the risk of being eaten by ocelots or jaguars when they descend to the forest floor to defecate. Remarkably enough, up to two-thirds of a sloth’s weight can actually be the contents of its stomach. This is because the leaves it consumes are so low in nutrients and take such a long time to digest.

The best place to see sloths in Guyana is undoubtedly at the sensational Sloth Island which is set on the Essequibo River and is home to a whole host of the amazing animals. Another option is to fly to the rugged and remote Kaieteur National Park which is named after its fabulous falls.

10. Venezuela

flickr/Fernando Flores

Another of the continent’s megadiverse countries is Venezuela which is home to everything from Caribbean islands and Atlantic Ocean coastline to majestic mountains, roaring rivers and both cloud forest and rainforest ecosystems. In total, its rich, biodiverse realms are inhabited by four of the six sloth species with the tranquil tree-dwellers dotted about delightfully different parts of the country.

The shaggy-furred Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, for instance, only lives in a tiny slice of the far west of Venezuela in the rainforests of the Sierra de Perija National Park. Here you can find the more common brown-throated sloth which also resides in the wonderful wilderness of the south of the nation alongside the Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth.

In contrast, the instantly recognizable pale-throated sloth can only be found in the east amidst its hot and humid tropical rainforests. As well as boasting lots of stunning scenery, both Canaima National Park and Parima Tapirapeco National Park count among the best places to see sloths in Venezuela due to their diverse fauna and dense vegetation.

1. Brazil

2. Colombia

3. Venezuela

4. Costa Rica

5. Mexico

6. Belize

7. French Guiana

8. Peru

9. Paraguay

10. Honduras

1. Kenya

2. Tanzania

3. South Africa

4. Namibia

5. Zambia

6. Botswana

7. Malawi

8. Zimbabwe

9. Ethiopia

10. Uganda

1. Tanzania

2. Botswana

3. Kenya

4. South Africa

5. Zambia

6. Mozambique

7. Namibia

8. Cameroon

9. Benin

10. India

1. Antarctica

2. South Africa

3. Galapagos Islands

4. New Zealand

5. Argentina

6. Namibia

7. South Georgia Island

8. Falkland Islands

9. Chile

10. Australia

1. Brazil

2. Costa Rica

3. Panama

4. Colombia

5. Peru

6. Ecuador

7. Nicaragua

8. Suriname

9. Guyana

10. Venezuela

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