The Pantanal

The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland on Earth. It is located mostly in Brazil, with parts in Bolivia and Paraguay. During the rainy season, much of the Pantanal floods with water. It is one of the best places in the world to see wildlife.

A Seasonal Wetland

The Pantanal covers about 70,000 square miles. During the wet season, rivers overflow and flood about 80 percent of the land. During the dry season, the water goes down and grasslands appear. This cycle of flooding and drying creates a rich habitat for plants and animals.

Amazing Wildlife

The Pantanal is home to jaguars, giant otters, capybaras, and caimans. About 1,000 kinds of birds live here, including the jabiru stork and hyacinth macaw. The wetland has more visible wildlife than even the Amazon Rainforest because the land is more open.

Fun Facts

• The Pantanal is about 10 times bigger than the Everglades.
• The capybara, the world's largest rodent, is very common in the Pantanal.
• The Pantanal has about 3,500 kinds of plants.

Did You Know?

The Pantanal is one of the best places on Earth to spot a wild jaguar because the open landscape makes them easier to see!