This is a giant gladiator frog – the males can be up to 5 inches in length. A type of tree frog,  its name derives from its fierce fighting to battle for territory and protect its female, who when nesting can lay up to 3500 tadpoles.    The gladiator males use exposed bones on their thumbs like a sword to fight intruders.

This is just one of a number of rather strange creatures that inhabit the edges of the amazon waters and do most of their hunting for food and mates in the cover of darkness.  This was the first time I have attempted a “night safari” on water.  Knowing that in moments it would be pitch black except for starlight and crescent moonlight,

I wondered how I could see anything – thrilled to report it was not an issue. Rob, our expert guide,  as well as the captain of our small boat knew exactly where to look for wildlife, with the help of a spotlight turned on at opportune times.   Happily,  I already had learned about mosquitoes’  dislike of acidic ph water, I didn’t dress up like a bee-keeper. Sadly though, it was my turn at the back of the boat, so while I did get to see most of our discoveries, I was not in the right position for photography.  Vitor to the rescue – most of the marvelous photos you will see here are his and are name stamped – thanks once more!

Our first sighting was a beautiful night heron –  I was able to get a few good shots and Vitor finished the job:

Next up was one of the stranger looking birds I have ever seen – this is its call:

A nightjar has a large mouth and has perfect camouflage for hiding in the forest so we were fortunate that our guides were able to pinpoint one:

The looks of the nightjar are no match for this next specimen and it was a sign of good karma –  I had earlier asked Vitor if we would see one.  We hit the jackpot – a potoo mom and baby.

 

The potoo   has a snakelike way of sitting straight up with its head in the air, seemingly becoming one with a tree’s branch (below from internet):

It has a gaping mouth and a quirky face – these are from the internet and are not puppets:

Interesting factoid:  night jars and potoos and frogmouths are all related  and their foreign cousin is the American whippoorwill  (Family Caprimulgidae).

From cute to uh-oh – our next sighting, fortunately a juvenile, was a boa constrictor:

Another sinister character lurking was this caiman:

Need a sweet moment – here is a sloth and its baby:

Upon closer look we discovered that the poor mom has a pawful of sharp quills, no doubt from a battle with a porcupine to protect her offspring:

Oh, what a night!!!!

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