Boats

Boats

During my time in Amazonas I have ridden in a variety of boats, as the rivers are still the principal highways, and in this land of jungle and rivers, they probably always will.

I have crossed lakes in small canoes (sank in one once upon a time), rode up back rivers in a small twenty foot by eight foot boat to visit communities so deep in the interior they had never experienced electricity without the assistance of a gas generator.

My first river trip was in a large two story river boat, an eighteen hour voyage where I saw the meeting of the waters, my first pink dolphin and where I slept in a hammock (rede in Portuguese) for the first time.

I went by small boat and then canoe to visit the flooded jungle and see the giant water lilies known as Victoria Redes, as well as troops of monkeys running through the tree tops, accompanied by the squawking of colorful parrots, parrakeet's and toucans.

Life on the rivers of the Amazon appears easy and laid back, but the truth of the matter is that for those who live on the banks life is usually a seasonal challenge, harvesting enough during the dry season, and staying above the water during the floods.

A visit to Amazonas is incomplete without a trip on the water.

One of the greatest spectacles in Manaus is on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. As patron of all who travel the water, Saint Peter is loved and honored. On his feast day boats of all sizes form a procession and travel the six or seven miles that make up all of Manaus' waterfront. Priests aboard a large boat lead the procession offering prayers and singing hymns. What appears to be hundreds of boats follow. (Always good to keep a sharp lookout and make sure no drunk captain is getting too close)

I have been a participant in the procession twice and both were exciting experiences.

If you get to the land of rivers and streams make the time to get out and explore and feel them.

More in the next edition.

Capybara

Capybara

The Capybara is the largest living rodent in the world. The Capybara is related to agouti, chinchillas, coyphillas, and guinea pigs. The name for the Capybara comes from Kapiÿva in the Guarani language which means "master of the grasses". The Capybara's scientific name, hydrochaeris, is Greek for "water hog".

These large rodents have heavy, barrel-shaped bodies and short heads with reddish-brown fur on the upper part of their body that turns yellowish-brown underneath. Adult capybaras may grow to 4.3 ft, and weigh up to 140 lb.

Their back legs are slightly longer than their front legs, their feet are slightly webbed, they have no tail and their muzzles are blunt with eyes, nostrils, and ears on top of their head. This is an animal where the females are slightly heavier than males.

Capybaras are social animals, normally found in groups, between 10 and 30 although there have been sightings of larger groups of up to 100.

Capybara herds are controlled by a dominant male who has a prominent scent gland on his nose that he uses to smearing his scent on the grasses in his territory.)

Capybaras communicate through a combination of scent and sound, being very vocal animals with purrs and alarm barks, whistles and clicks, squeals and grunts.

The giant rodent is an excellent swimmer, with the ability to survive completely underwater for up to five minutes. They use ability to evade predators. In times of necessity and extreme danger, a Capybara can sleep underwater, keeping its nose just at the waterline.

As temperatures increase, Capybaras wallow in water to keep cool and then graze in late afternoons and early evenings. Not needing much sleep, Capybaras usually doze off and on throughout the day and graze into and through the night.

The Capybara is not considered a threatened species.

More in the next edition