LUXURY EXPEDITIONS 2018-2019

Wildlife in
Latin America
The Caiman
As you sail along the rivers in the Amazon basin you are bound
to run into this large aquatic reptile, which you will recognise
by its body covered in scales and its eyes and nostrils which
sit on the top of its head. This configuration enables it to see
and breathe while the rest of its body remains under water.
Caimans can reach lengths of up to 5 metres; they are the
largest predator in the Amazon ecosystem. Since humans are
the only predator they fear, caimans feed on anything they
can hunt: fish, reptiles, birds, and even small mammals.
Scarlet Ibis
The scarlet ibis is a majestic bird found on the Pacific coast
of Central America and the Greater Antilles. It has elegant red
feathers and a beak that curves downwards. Its dazzling red
plumage is due to its diet, which mainly consists of prawns
and other crustaceans. The scarlet ibis spends most of its time
in the marshy areas inland. It uses its long beak to find food
in the mud flats and murky waters along Brazil’s shorelines.
During your cruise, you could be lucky enough to spot these
birds as they search for food.
Sea Lions in the Sea of Cortez
The sea lions in Baja California are very playful and rather
friendly. They don’t hesitate to venture close to divers in the
Sea of Cortez. Curious, they move like dancers in a ballet as
they edge closer to inspect swimmers’ flippers and other
equipment. You’ll be moved by their big, soft eyes that
seem to beg for a pat, and you’ll be amused by their playful
antics. The males are much larger and their sagittal crest is
very pronounced. The females have a dark brown or reddish
brown coat. An unforgettable encounter!
The Sea Turtle
The sea turtle is a fascinating animal found along the coast of
Latin America. It weighs 160 kg on average and is one of the
fastest of its species: it can swim at speeds of up to 35 km/h.
In Latin America, you might encounter this species during a
scuba dive or while snorkelling. With its hydrodynamic shell
and front flippers, the sea turtle truly gives the impression of
flying through the water. Most sea turtles only leave the water
to lay their eggs. After securing the surrounding area, the
female turtle uses her flippers to dig a hole measuring about
40 cm (15 inches) in which to deposit her eggs.
The Llama
The Spanish conquistadors called them ovejas (sheep)
because of their long and thick wool, which is very useful
to protect against the harsh Andean winter. The llama is the
largest camelid in South America. Its oval head and its long
hair in colours ranging from white to brown distinguish it
from its cousins the alpaca, the vicuña and the guanaco. It
is bred for its soft fur, used to make ponchos and blankets.
The llama sometimes defends itself by spitting! During your
cruise you will no doubt come across these curious animals,
which move around the plateaux in small herds, often made
up of one male and five females.
The Magellanic Penguin
Known for its boldness and agility, the Magellanic penguin
owes its name to Ferdinand Magellan, who was the first to
discover this species in 1519, during a voyage around the tip
of South America. This penguin is small in size, has a black
back and a white front marked by two black stripes: one
under the chin and another in a horseshoe shape around
the belly. This excellent swimmer mainly feeds on molluscs
and crustaceans. During your landings, don’t be surprised:
Magellanic penguins are very demonstrative and, often,
when one starts to squawk the entire colony can end up
joining in and raising quite a ruckus!
76 | Summer 2018/ Winter 2018-2019 Cruise