NEOTROPICAL
Tropical & Subtropical Savanna

The diverse but often overlooked savanna grasslands of tropical South and Central America, including the Cerrado and Llanos... 

Kingdom Plantae

Tabebuia/Handroanthus ochracea/chrysotricha, 'Corteza amarillia/ipê amarelo', 'Golden Trumpet Tree'. Flowers in spring. A common and conspicuous tree in tropical woodlands and flooded grasslands of South America.

Kingdom Animalia

Class Insecta

Class Reptilia

Family Telidae: mostly 'Whiptails' and 'Racerunners'

There are over 150 species in this family found across the Americas.

Ameiva ameiva, 'Amazonian Racerunner'. Widespread in Central and South America.

Salvator; 'Tegu'

There are various lizards in differenet genera known as 'Tegu'. The three species in this genus look and act somewhat like old world tropical monitor lizards, but are not closely related to them.

Salvator merianae, 'Argentine Black and White Tegu'. Found in many habitats across South America.

For the page on the
birds of the South American tropical open woodlands & savanna

Class Mammalia

Order Artiodactyla: 'Even toed Ungulates (Hoofed mammals)'

Family Cervidae: Deer

Mazama americana, 'Red Brocket Deer'. Found in forests and woodlands in South America.

Family Tayassuidae: 'New World Pigs'

There are three species of Peccary. They are known by various other names, including 'Javelina' and 'skunk pigs' or 'musk hogs' due to their strong smell. Peccaries are related to pigs, but different enough to now be placed in their own family. They usually form herds, and groups are known to have killed humans. They can make a chattering noise with their tasks as a warning.

Dicotyles tajacu, 'Collared Peccary'. Widespread, being found in most habitats across the warmer parts of the Americas.

Places to experience South American tropical open woodlands & savanna

Hotel Pantanal Mato Grosso (lodge) and Pousa Alegre (lodge) in the Pantanal, Brazil.