Here are some of the most impressive examples of camouflage we’ve come across in Tambopata.
Sphaenorhyncus lacteus,
Sphaenorhyncus lacteus, the greater hatchet-faced treefrog. Photo by Phil Torres
A katydid. Photo by Jeff Cremer.
Stories
Why are some animals so well camouflaged?
A Plica plica tree runner camouflages against the bark of a large Ficus tree. Photo by Phil Torres
Another related katydid- some camouflage against dead leaves, others against live, green leaves. Photo by Jeff Cremer
Predators- like monkeys and birds- have remarkable vision, pattern recognition, and learning abilities. Young birds can quickly learn which butterflies are distasteful or poisonous, and monkeys can learn which ‘fake leaf,’ like the katydids pictured, are actually edible insects.
Because of that learning ability, many of these camouflaged species are polymorphic- meaning the same species will come in a variety of different camouflage schemes. Within the above katydid species, for example, some will look more like a live leaf while others have dead-leaf venation. The variation helps prevent monkeys from learning one single false leaf pattern as food and makes it more difficult for them to find and eat these cryptic creatures.
Camouflage is one of many survival tactics that have evolved in the animals of the rainforest. While some species may focus on being poisonous, dangerous, or fast, these guys do an incredible job of looking more plant-like than animal-like, and it seems to pay off.
Discover amazing rainforest creatures in Tambopata, Peru
by Phil Torres
-
What our guest say
-
- Valuation Excellent
- 5/5
Jacob Shama May 2024
Yaacov May 2024
secaBoulder May 2024
Cecilia D May 2024
Andrea Breanna Apr 2024
A user Apr 2024
Niko Dietsch Apr 2024
Yuting C Apr 2024
Yuting Chen Apr 2024
Víctor Moscoso Apr 2024
Ari S March 2024
Dreamer627120 March 2024
The lodge is located in the middle of the forest accessible only by boat. The experience was very unique and exciting. Service is great, and the fun part are the nature activities and tours the hotel offers for free. We had an amazing tour guide that had a lot of knowledge and was fun to spend time with. The rooms are totally open to the forest which is really cool the struggle is the there is no privacy at all in between the rooms, also food was pretty basic. All together a very unique experience. Read all
This hotel is the perfect blend of comfort and hospitality, with the natural experience. The hotel is reached by a hours boat ride from Puerto Maldonado, expertly organized and accomplished. Most staff are members of the local Esa Ejja community. The food is good and plentiful. Hot water is always available and lovely bedding features mosquito nets. There is of course no air conditioning (one side wall is open in rach room) and the electricity is off for a few hours at night affecting overhead fans, so I was glad to have brought a small battery powered fan for sleeping. But the best of the experience is the wildlife. Our expert guide Oscar Mishaja introduced us to nearly 100 bird species, along with caimans, river otters, poison dart frogs and capybara. A trip of a lifetime. Read all
Excellent experience overall— really kind and welcoming staff at every point of the journey. All transfers were well organized and smooth. Excellent and educational excursions all around the rainforest. Delicious food for every meal. We had wonderful guides- Freet and Alvaro. Enjoyed our time here! Read all
We had a surreal experience at Refugio Amazonas. From the well organized transportation to the warm welcome, hospitality and the experience of living in nature - we loved it all. Huge shout out to our guide Boris who went out of his way to ensure we had a good experience and got to watch all kinds of wild life. The meals and cocktails were delicious. And even though this place is smack in the middle of the jungle there was super fast WiFi available. We made unforgettable memories. Read all
We had an amazing time in TRC. From the guide, tours, lounge staff, food and room, everything has exceeded our expectation and like an amazing dream came true. We highly recommend to directly book with the lounge website, so that you got a private guide for your group. Special thanks to our guide Saul, who made this experience extra special! We were so impressed by his knowledge about all the animals and the rainforest. Read all
We had an amazing time in TRC. From the guide, tours, lounge staff, food and room, everything has exceeded our expectation and like an amazing dream came true. This is the only lounge available in Tambopata national park, and this eco lounge takes environment seriously. We highly recommend to directly book with the lounge website, so that you got a private guide for your group. Special thanks to our guide Saul, who made this experience extra special! We were so impressed by his knowledge about all the animals and the rainforest. If you are a natural lover, you can’t miss this place Read all
Excellent and luxurious place, wonderful experience and our guide Boris was first class, he had a unique patience with my 8 year old son. An experience in the tropical rainforest that marks the life of its visitors. In addition to the scientific research that takes place in the place: a whole research center. Rooms: Very comfortable and luxuriou Read all
El mejor hotel para visitar la Amazonia peruana. Hotel eco turístico metido en medio de la selva, equipado para visitar y vivir la selva, su flora y fauna, en todas sus facetas. Todo incluido, con guías preparados y amables, resultó una experiencia increíble para mi familia. Dentro de las opciones no se debe perder el Canopy de 45 metros de altura para observar y escuchar la selva, así como el lago de las tres Chimbadas, lugar único para ver caimanes, nutrias gigantes, monos y aves exóticas. Recomiendo mínimo dos noches!!! Read all
Wunderbare lodge mit freundlichen Menschen. sehr persönliche guides, tolle Tourangebote und super kulinarische Verpflegung ! Wir wurden herzlichst von Caesar empfangen und unser guide JuanJo hat uns phantastische Dinge gezeigt. Wir können die lodge nur wärmstens empfehlen! Read all
-
February 04, 2013 4 Footballers Who Remind us of Rainforest Animals...
It’s a jungle out there, and in this year’s World Cup, footballers are jockeying for a seat at the top of the food chain. While some bring brute strength to the table, others h...
Read more -
April 21, 2021 A face to face encounter with a wild Tapir...
Photographing the wildlife When photographing wildlife in the AmazonRainforest, much preparation and hard work are needed to get the pictures you want. You need to know what you ...
Read more -
July 03, 2012 Leafcutter ants retire when they grow old...
Leaf-cutter ants "retire" from their cutting role when they grow old, switching to carrying when their jaws blunt with age. Leaf-cutter ants start their lives with razor-like jaws...
Read more