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Pantanal: 9 facts you need to know

Pantanal: 9 facts you need to know
Ricardo
Author:
Ricardo Casarin
| @casarin.ricardo
May 23, 2020

Pantanal is one of the best destinations for ecotourism and nature lovers, arousing fascination even in those who have never been in the region. It is impossible to remain indifferent with the possibility of experiencing nature to the fullest and seeing such a large number of animals in one place.

We have listed some facts about the Pantanal, for those who never tire of unraveling the mysteries of one of the largest biomes on the planet.

Pantanal aerial view in Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Photo: João Marcos Rosa.

1. The flooded area of the Pantanal is equivalent to four European countries put together: Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal and the Netherlands. During the flood season, more than 80% of the Pantanal extension is flooded.

2. Most of the water comes from the Paraguay River and the Cuiabá river, which discharges more than 178 billion liters of water per day into the Pantanal plain.

3. The diversity of the waters is so great that the Pantanal has more fish than all the rivers in Europe put together.

4. The piranha is the most hungry fish in the Pantanal. The pantanal usually wound an ox to attract them and enable the rest of the herd to cross the flooded areas safely.

5. One of the largest freshwater fish in South American rivers, the jau is the largest fish in the Pantanal, reaching 1.5 meters in length and weighing up to 120 kilos.

6. Facing an anaconda is the type of encounter for adventurer that they never forget, mainly for its up to 7 meters in length. What many people do not know is that most of their food is regional fish.

7. The Pantanal jaguar can weigh up to 150 kilos, feeding on approximately 85 species of animals that live in the Pantanal region.

8. The Pantanal was known as the Xaraés sea, probably because the explorers on the arrival, saw the region flooded during the wet season. The “Xaraés“ name was a reference of the indigenous people who lived in the region.

9. The relief of the Pantanal makes the Paraguay River move very slowly. A canoe drifting on the river would take about six months to cross the entire Pantanal.


It is impossible to remain indifferent with the possibility of experiencing nature to the fullest and seeing such a large number of animals in one place.

The Pantanal and its surroundings yield different types of tours that can vary according to the focus of your trip. We have listed 4 different programs so that you can plan your adventure together with SouthQuest Safaris and our team of experts:

Jaguars of the Pantanal: focused on the observation of Jaguars in the region of Porto Jofre.

Best of the Pantanal: recommended for those who look for a complete experience through the Pantanal.

Southern Pantanal & Bonito: the perfect combination between the biodiversity of the Pantanal and the crystal clear waters of Bonito.

Brazilian Amazon & Pantanal: an incredible experience across two of the main Brazilian biomes.

About the author
Ricardo
Ricardo Casarin
| @casarin.ricardo

Co-founder, Naturalist Guide & Tour Leader
Ricardo Casarin has been leading tours in Brazil since 1998 and is one of Brazil’s most respected naturalist guides. Specializing in Natural History, Birdwatching, and Nature Photography tours, his expertise covers biomes such as the Pantanal, the Amazon, the Atlantic Rainforest, the Caatinga, and the Cerrado (the Brazilian Savanna). Ricardo also coordinates and leads tours through Chilean and Argentine Patagonia. He is co-author of the book “Tourism Guide in Natural Areas.”

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