Flora and Fauna of Guyana

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The Jaguar, Guyana’s National Animal

The jaguar (Panthera onca), the national animal of Guyana, is an impressive and powerful predator found in the Americas with a cultural and ecological significance that spans centuries. Known for its strength, stealth, and adaptability, the jaguar plays a critical role in the ecosystems of the tropical rainforests, wetlands, and savannas it inhabits. This article will delve into the jaguar’s geographical distribution, population in Guyana, physical characteristics, behavior, diet, and insights on how humans can stay safe if they encounter one.

Guyanese Traditionally Used the Black Sage Plant to Clean their Teeth

While toothbrush and toothpaste technology have doubtless evolved to the point of no return, it definitely wouldn’t hurt to preserve traditional knowledge of natural alternatives to oral health and hygiene. Yes, the toothpaste of today are well formulated to leave the mouth clean, fresh, and nice smelling, and toothbrushes have also evolved to be more far reaching and thorough. But who knows if humankind will one day find themselves in a situation where they once again need to resort to the simple tools provided by nature? Whether or not that might be, its always good to preserve traditional knowledge and try these primitive methods at least once…because we never know when we might need it again!

Amaranthus Dubius is Colloquially Called Red Stem Callaloo in Guyana

It is a hardy perennial plant that grows wild as bush with little care in tropical regions of the world. This plant grows to an average six feet in height with slender reddish branches and stems, and green leaves. It often appears almost magically in some places without being planted. The plant can survive harsh climates and grow on almost any type of soil.

Basella Alba, Colloquially Referred to as “Poi Callaloo” or “Poi Bhajee” in Guyana

Malabar Spinach, colloquially called “poi” by the people of Guyana is a vine with edible leaves that grows as easily as wild bush in all kinds of soil and climatic conditions. It is a plant that requires very little care for growth, but may be susceptible to insects and other pests which chew away at the leaves, sometimes rendering them unsightly and uncookable. If you want to avoid toxic, expensive, and potentially destructive man-made pesticides, the presence of pest around poi can be combated by planting “fine thyme” or “oregano” within close proximity to the poi plants.

Beautiful Frogs?

The idea of a beautiful frog might seem paradoxical. Frogs aren’t exactly known for being beautiful, cuddly, and loveable. But needless to say, life and nature never ceases to amaze us. These photos of beautiful, exquisite frogs were taken in the interior region of Guyana near to Venezuela by Guyanese citizen Stephen Dunbar Amsterdam.

The Coconut Tree Has Been Called “The Tree of Life” – Here’s Why

The coconut tree is a part of Guyana’s rich flora and also a part of the country’s rich cultural heritage. The two major ethnic groups, East Indians and Africans, have made very good use of the coconut tree. Other ethnic groups might have also utilized the coconut tree, but to a lesser extent. Historical records show very little affiliation of the Europeans, Chinese, Portuguese, and Amerindians with the coconut tree. In addition to the hectares up hectares of coconut farms across the country of Guyana, almost every Guyanese have several coconut trees growing within their yards.

The Jaguar, Guyana’s National Animal

It is not clear why the jaguar was nominated Guyana’s national animal, but it might have something to do with its strength and courage. Nevertheless, the jaguar is a vicious predator which bites through the neck of its prey. The jaguar is bold and fearless and an encounter with one can easily turn deadly. Nevertheless, a brave Guyanese citizen, Melly Allicock, met one on the forest trails in early 2023 and didn’t run away in fear. Instead, she took out her phone and started videoing. This citizen is certainly bolder than the jaguar itself. And she gives us the luxury of watching a jaguar roar up close and personal. Looking at the video, you can get a feel of the jaguar’s enormous strength and unshakeable courage.

Guyana’s Victoria Amazonica No Longer World’s Largest Water Lily

Guyana’s National Flower, the Victoria Amazonica, has lost its record as the world’s largest water lily. Up to July, 2022, the Victoria Amazonica had boasted the title of the world’s largest water lily. However, a new water lily, called the Victoria Boliviana, has blown the Victoria Amazonica out the water and taken its spot as the world’s largest water lily.

Hoplias Aimara, Known in Guyana as the Haimara or Wolf Fish

The species of freshwater fish, Hoplias Aimara, is known in Guyana as the haimara or wolf fish. In other parts of the world, it is called anjumara, traira, trahira, manjuma, anjoemara, and wolf fish. The haimara is a freshwater fish which grows to more than 4 feet in length, but the average length is 3 feet. It weighs on average 88 lbs. The haimara is native to northern South American countries including Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, French Guiana, and Suriname. It is also found in the rivers of neighboring Trinidad and Tobago.

The Tarpon Fish is Colloquially Called Cuffum

The tarpon may be described as a “euryhaline species” because it can survive in a wide variety of salinity and therefore lives in both the ocean and in fresh waters. The tarpon breeds mostly in the oceans in salt water. The females can lay up to 12 million eggs at once. They spawn their eggs between the months of March and July. Tarpons tend to swim upriver from the ocean and often inhabit rivers, creeks, tidal pools, and salt marshes. Some return to the ocean but others stay in freshwater locations.

The Giant Anteater of Guyana is the World’s Largest Anteater

Guyana is known as the land of the giants, and the giant anteater, the world’s largest anteater, is one of the six or seven reasons why. The giant anteater goes by the scientific name Myrmecophaga tridactyla. It is a mammal which feeds on insects and has an average lifespan of 14 years. About two to three feet in height, the giant anteater weighs between 40 and 140 pounds. The giant anteater can reach as long as eight feet from the tip of its snout to the end of its tail.

The Victoria Amazonica, Guyana’s National Flower

The flower of Victoria Amazonica, previously called the Victoria Regia, and also known as the Giant Water Lily is Guyana’s National Flower. Victoria Amazonica is the world’s second largest water lily with its leaves measuring a whooping 10 feet in diameter floating on the surface of the water. The stalk of the Victoria Amazonica extends as much as 26 feet (8 meters) below the surface of the water. The flower of the Victoria Amazonica, which it bears almost every week during the summer months, is also the largest flower in the world. The flower of the Victoria Amazonica stays in blossom for just two to three days – long enough to facilitate pollination.

The Arapaima, One of Guyana’s “Giants,” is the World’s Largest Freshwater Fish

Guyana is known as the land of the giants, and the arapaima, the world’s largest freshwater fish, is one of the reasons why. The arapaima is a “gentle giant” with a suction power that is damaging to smaller fish up to four feet away. The arapaima can grow as long as 3 meters and weigh up to 440 pounds. In 2015, a monster arapaima was caught in Guyana which weighed 416 pounds!