11 Hidden Dangers in the Amazon Rainforest

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The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most amazing natural wonders on earth bursting with life and more mysteries than you can imagine. It covers 6.7 million square miles and is home to some of the planet’s most diverse plant and animal species.

It’s a web of danger even to the most experienced of explorers. What’s overwhelming isn’t the vastness, but the surprising challenges that crop up when you aren’t expecting them.

Heatstroke

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The Amazon’s heat and humidity feel like can cause heatstroke, which is dangerous and can be deadly. Medical experts say heatstroke symptoms include confusion, nausea, and fainting. It’s not a luxury to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade, it’s survival.

Botflies

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The botfly is a miniature horror movie villain. These insects deposit their eggs on your skin and they hatch into larvae, which burrow into your skin. It’s itchy, uncomfortable, and downright creepy. Local remedies may include covering the wound with petroleum jelly to suffocate the larvae so that they wriggle out. Your best friend in the Amazon is insect repellent.

Sudden Flash Floods

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The Amazon appears to be a placid sea of green, but its rivers and streams can quickly become death traps during heavy rains. Flash floods give little warning before they sweep away everything in their path. Seasonal travelers and scientists say that the water level can rise several feet in hours, turning serene hikes into a struggle for survival. You always want to keep an ear to the ground for changing weather conditions.

Bullet Ants

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The bullet ant is known to inflict unbearable pain with its sting, which is comparable to walking over hot coals with a 3-inch nail in your foot. According to a scale for insect stings called the Schmidt Pain Index, it is the most painful sting recorded. In fact, some indigenous tribes even wear bullet ants in ceremonial gloves showing a ridiculous tolerance for pain that most humans do not possess.

Tropical Diseases

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Mosquitoes in the Amazon spread malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever, among other illnesses. Though the vaccines and treatments exist, these diseases are still a risk. The World Health Organization reports that there were nearly 247 million cases of malaria in 2021, many in tropical regions. It’s not over-preparing to pack long-sleeve clothing and mosquito nets.

Chiggers

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Chiggers are microscopic mites that are easy to miss until they’ve had their way with you. They latch onto your skin and inject digestive enzymes which cause unbearable itching and welts. To avoid being their next meal, or poisoned victim, you must wash thoroughly and wear protective clothing.

Jaguar Encounters

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Jaguars are majestic, menacing apex predators. Although attacks on humans are rarely seen, jaguars are stealthy and powerful. These cats stalk their prey in silence, before striking with unrivalled accuracy. It’s best not to traverse dense jungles during dawn or dusk when jaguars are most active so you won’t cross paths with them.

Toxic Plants

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It’s not just animals you need to worry about, some plants in the Amazon can pack a nasty punch too. Take the Gympie Gympie tree for example; it stings painfully and the pain can last up to several months. Grazing this tree can cause blisters in addition to the pain. Never touch unfamiliar foliage; it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Poison Dart Frogs

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While poison dart frogs look like bright, beautiful stones on tree limbs, they should never be touched. Their toxin, which indigenous tribes once used to coat their hunting arrows, is secreted from their skin. The golden poison frog carries enough venom to kill ten adult humans. The bright colors are nature’s way of telling you to keep your distance.

Electric Eels

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Swimming in the murky waters of the Amazon? Meet the electric eel, an underwater creature that generates enough electricity to stun prey. An electric eel’s zap can be as high as 600 volts which can temporarily paralyze and drown an unsuspecting swimmer. Researchers discovered these eels hunt in groups, turning the water into a live wire situation.

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Candiru Fish

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Picture a fish so little it could fit into places you don’t want to discuss over the dinner table. The ‘vampire fish,’ or candiru, has a notorious reputation as a parasite of the gills of larger fish, and sometimes of human orifices. Cases of candiru incidents are rare, but when they happen, they make headlines because they’re the stuff of nightmares. You always have to be aware of where you are swimming.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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