1. tortoise
   lizard
2. frog
   snake

The giant Galapagos tortoise is the largest of its kind in the world. Remember, a turtle swims, a tortoise does not - generally speaking.

1. bite larger animals to death
   strip an area of plants
2. make a big noise
   poison a whole area

Piranhas have very sharp teeth that can tear animal flesh. Splashing around in the water attracts them. However, it's actually rare that they have a feeding frenzy.

1. newt
   salamander
2. frog
   blindworm

Poison dart frogs have developed very bright colors to advertise that they are poisonous. Although they're usually found in the rain forests of Central and South America, they have somehow been introduced to Hawaii.

1. They don't fly high anyway.
   They choke from the thin air.
2. They don't flap their wings.
   They dive bomb.

They get up high and just cruise. Wouldn't you?

1. They have short wings.
   the feet
2. They're stupid.
   large breasts

Boobies get their name from the Spanish word "bobo," which means stupid. They're so curious, they would land aboard sailing ships where they became part of the menu.

1. hummingbirds
   parrots
2. parakeets
   crows

South American macaws are very colorful, and they really stand out from the rest of their surroundings. Not surprisingly, some of them are on the endangered list due to loss of habitat and poaching.

1. gel
   electricity
2. poison
   dust

Electric eels have an organ in their bodies that can generate electric charge. In some eels, up to 860 volts can be used.

1. veggies
   meat
2. honey
   cake

Kinkajous have a liking for honey, and are known by their nickname of "honey bears." They aren't known to eat honey in the wild, however.

1. skunks
   squirrels
2. rabbits
   gerbils

Patagonian maras fill in the niche in South America that rabbits should occupy. However, instead of %0Dhopping, they run a little bit like deer.

1. take a vacation
   to get away from whalers
2. to breed
   to meet people

Southern right whales need warmer waters for them to breed. Although these plankton-eating whales are not exclusive to South America, many of them are often seen near the shores of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Peru.

1. poisons you
   squeezes you to death
2. melts your skin with acid
   hypnotizes you

Anacondas do not have fangs and poison for killing their prey. Instead, they wrap themselves around their prey and crush them to death.

1. blue eyes
   flexible, pointed nose
2. no teeth
   no lips

Tapir noses are very flexible. In fact, they can be thought of as very short elephant trunks.

1. alligators
   iguanas
2. snakes
   chameleon

Caimans are actually different from alligators in the way their scales are formed, and the fact that their teeth are longer and narrower. However, in most other ways, they're just like crocodiles and alligators.

1. change colors
   fold their wings
2. shed the color powder
   they hide

Blue morpho butterflies have the blue color on only one side of their wings. The other side usually has colors meant to blend in with their surroundings. Putting their wings together effectively hides the blue parts.

1. fat
   for their teeth
2. for their fur
   horns

In South American rivers, the giant otter is at the top of the food chain. Unfortunately, their waterproof and silky furs or pelts are prized by collectors. This has led to the trade in their pelts.

1. manure
   fruits
2. flowers
   sweat

Hoatzins have specialized stomachs where they have bacteria to break down the vegetables they eat. Because of this, they do smell like manure.

1. Dry hair
   Short-haired
2. Hairless
   Albino

Peruvian hairless dogs have little or no fur. They are said to be very clean, with little or no parasites. However, their skin will need moisturizers and sunblock.

1. They don't squeak.
   They are mean.
2. They live in freshwater rivers.
   They aren't sociable.

Pink river dolphins in the Amazon can live only in freshwater rivers. Also, the Amazon pink dolphins are among the largest in the world for river dolphins.

1. colors
   smarts
2. beaks
   egg sizes

The Galapagos finches are really 15 different species of the same bird type. How they adapted to their surroundings, particularly their beak sizes and shapes, became an important observation for Charles Darwin.

1. cats
   dogs
2. pigs
   rats

The capybara is actually the largest rodent in the world. It lives near forests and rivers, and is a favorite meal for larger predators.

1. stepping on your feet
   screaming
2. spitting
   breaking wind

Llamas, if trained correctly, don't spit at people. Supposedly, they do this to discipline younger members of the herd. Llama hair is usually used for clothes, rugs and even ropes.

1. dogs
   raccoons
2. cats
   mice

Coatimundis and raccoons are closely related. You can see this through their facial markings and striped tails. Like raccoons, coatimundis sleep in trees.

1. jaguar
   catamount
2. lion
   bobcat

Jaguars are top-level predators in South America. In fact, jaguars are part of the mythology and religion of many of the ancient South American civilizations.

1. wildcat
   goat
2. camel
   deer

Ocelots are medium-size wildcats and, and are found in large numbers in Peru and Venezuela. They are sometimes mistaken for smaller jaguars.

1. as test subjects
   They have special proteins.
2. service animals for the paralyzed
   They make good pets.

In the past, capuchin monkeys were intensively trained to help paralyzed people in a way similar to assistant dogs. However, safety and medical concerns have stopped this practice.

1. larger bodies
   bigger nostrils
2. more red blood cells than normal
   better training

Guanacos have four times the number of red blood cells in a drop of blood as compared to humans. This allows them to absorb more oxygen in their blood, to make up for the low oxygen at high altitudes.

1. hair
   scales
2. fur
   teeth

The eyelashes of an eyelash viper are actually scales. Scientists believe this is a form of camouflage, as it breaks up their outline.

1. hippos
   elephants
2. rhinos
   bulls

Manatees are aquatic mammals and are normally gentle and herbivorous. Their relative, the elephant, prefers to stay on land, but they are also that gentle.

1. horns
   hooves
2. tusks
   claws

The collared peccary isn't classified as a hog or pig anymore, but they closely resemble boars. Their tusks are rather small, making them look like large canine teeth.

1. jump
   hear
2. walk
   talk

Galapagos batfish use little "legs" to walk along the seabed. They also have bright red lips, which acts as a marker for their species.

1. sign language
   eyeblinks
2. color changes
   ultrasonics

These frogs live near fast-moving, noisy streams. Scientists think that that is the reason why they created a sort of dance-like sign language to communicate with each other.

1. sleepy eyes
   slow movements
2. smile
   fat belly

Sloths are tree-hugging animals that live in the South American rainforests or jungles. Their very slow movements are a lifestyle adaptation to help conserve energy.

1. manes
   crowns
2. hands
   upright stance

Golden lion tamarins, or marmosets, are reddish-orange monkeys that have long hair around their faces and ears. They're still on the endangered species list, but they are making a population comeback.

1. raccoons
   cats
2. dogs
   wolves

The maned wolf's closest blood relative is a type of dog. Unlike most other large wild animals of its kind, it does not form packs, usually hunting alone. The fur around their necks is meant to make them look larger than they actually are.

1. longer than their bird bodies
   they have feathers
2. no nostrils
   detachable

Sword-billed hummingbirds have beaks longer than their bodies. The birds use their feet to clean themselves, since they can't use their beaks.