Red Uakari Jungle Tours

02/03/2025

What is Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic plant brew originating from the Amazon forest. It is usually brewed into a tea or concentrated liquid. It can also be smoked. Ayahuasca is actually a mixture of plants. It is made with the stems of the Ayahuasca vine ( Banisteriopsis caapi ) and the leaves of the leaves of the chacruna shrub ( Psychotria viridis) . Sometimes it is made with peganum harmala as a source of harmala alkaloids. The ayahuasca vine contains N,N- Dimethyltryptamine( DMT) which is responsible for its psychoactive effects.
Ayahuasca translates to “vine of the soul” in the Quechua language, spoken by the indigenous people of South America. Documented history dates back to the 17th century, during the European colonization of the Americas. However, evidence of the use of Ayahuasca dates back a thousand plus years ago. Archaeological evidence includes small ceramic vessels, covered in spiritual animal drawings, associated with ayahuasca rituals dating back to 2400 BC. As well as, shamanic snuffs containing DMT and harming dating back to 1000 years.
Ayahuasca is used in many regions of Northern South America, including the Amazon and the Andean areas of Columbia, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. It is also used in the border areas of these countries . The use of Ayahuasca was originally restricted to these areas, but in the 20th century it became widespread in Brazil, in the context of appearance in religions that use ayahuasca as a sacrament, later expanding to several countries! These countries include the United States, Western Europe ,Eastern Europe, South Africa, Australia and Japan.
For more than a thousand years indigenous populations have used ayahuasca for medicinal, spiritual and ceremonial purposes.Today, many people from all over the world, travel to South and Central America to use in hopes of a spiritual cleansing. It has also become popular to those who seek a way to heal past traumas. During an ayahuasca ceremony, you take ayahuasca under the supervision of a spiritual practitioner , shaman or other guide. These ceremonial retreats can last from several hours to several days.

Two to four weeks before partaking in an ayahuasca ceremony, facilitators recommend abstinence from ci******es, drugs, alcohol, s*x, and caffeine. The ceremony often takes place at night. Those who take ayahuasca can experience vomiting, diarrhea , feelings of euphoria, hallucinations, mind altering psychedelic effects, fear and paranoia. These Adverse effects are considered normal parts of the cleansing.
To begin the ceremony , the space is prepared and blessed by a shaman. You would then have one final time to focus on your intentions. After, the ayahuasca is offered to the participants , sometimes split into several doses. You would be placed on a mattress to sit or lay down, while the shaman will typically chant or sing Icaros( sacred songs). The chants are believed to call on spirits and guide the participants through their visions.
Ayahuasca experiences are typically divided into three stages: The onset, the peak, and the after glow. The onset stage begins about 20-60 min after consumption. You might feel mild effects such as nausea, sense of disorientation and a mild state of bliss. The second stage, the peak, is the most intense stage which typically last for about 3 hours. During this stage you may experience things like powerful visions , intense emotions, as well as a deep connection to nature, humanity and ones self. In the final stage known as the afterglow, the medicine starts to wear off and often there is often a sense of heightened awareness and clarity that may last for hours after the ceremony.
- Lisa Brown RUJT

25/02/2025

Amazon Tree Boa. Red Uakari Jungle Tours

24/02/2025

Red Uakari Jungle Tours

20/02/2025

Red Uakari Poison Frog
The red uakari poison frog (Ranitomeya Uakarii) is a small frog with red-orange stripes down its sides and backbone. It has wide , yellow stripes on its flanks. They have a black mark, in the shape of a U , on its head. All four of their legs are blue with small, fine black spots and dots. They also have big black irises. These tiny, poison frogs range from 13-16mm in size. Their heads are slightly narrower than the rest of their bodies. Poison frog skin is typically smooth. It is thin and permeable to absorb oxygen and moisture. It also has a layer of mucus to help maintain moisture and in some spots sticky, to help the frog cling to surfaces.
The Uakari poison frog lives in the lowland rainforests of Central (Guyana and Columbia) and South America(Brazil, Peru and Bolivia).They primarily are found on the forest floor but can climb up to the canopy. They enjoy primary and secondary rainforests , forests that don’t flood , leaf litter on the forest floor and cavities between tree roots. Which hold some of their favorite snacks!
Fun fact! The frogs poison comes from its diet of ants, termites, centipedes and beetles. The toxins collect in the glands of the frogs skin. Poison dart frogs are carnivorous, but they eat small invertebrates. They use their sticky tongues to catch prey. They are opportunistic hunters. These frogs also have excellent eye sight , which is very useful in catching prey as well.
Although these frogs have a wide range of insects to prey on, they have very few predators to be preyed upon. Due to their toxicity ,the fire-bellied snake is the only natural predator of most poison dart frogs. The snake has developed a resistance to the frog venom. When a frog feels threatened , it secretes a mile white substance from its back , containing the toxins.
As far as it’s day to day activities, these frogs spend most of their time hopping around the forest floor in search of prey. Unlike most other types of frogs, they are diurnal, or active during the day. Poison dart frogs also have unique reproductive habits. Males perform an elaborate courtship dance to attract females.Usually more than one female will respond and they will fight , aggressively, until there is a winner. The females will lay her eggs on the forrest floor. The males protect the eggs, and after hatching, will carry them on their backs to the nearest water source.

17/02/2025

Green Anaconda
The green anaconda is one of the largest snakes in the world. It is also the heaviest snake species. Green anacondas can grow to be over 30 feet long and weigh up to 550 pounds. They are olive-green with black spots along their sides, two dark stripes from their eyes to their jaw and yellow and black scales on their bellies that assist with swimming. As well as, sharp recurved teeth. The green anacondas jaw is loosely connected and stretchy allowing them to swallow animals larger than their head.
Anacondas are opportunistic carnivores, meaning they primarily eat meat but will take advantage of any food source available, depending on the situation. They are also apex predators. Their diet can include: mammals, like capybara and rodents. As well as reptiles, birds and fish. The size of the prey depends on the age and size of the anaconda. Anacondas are ambush predators. They lie and wait for their prey in or around the water. As well as use their strong bodies to constrict their victims, cutting off blood flow and causing asphyxiation . Green anacondas feed on the animals that come to drink the water from where it resides.
Green Anacondas live in the tropical rainforests, near slow moving bodies of water and thick vegetation. They enjoy marshes, swamps, streams and rivers. They are aquatic and mostly nocturnal animals. Anacondas ‘’float’’ at the surface of the water where only the snouts are visible . They will also burrow them selves in mud patches.They are excellent swimmers and can remain almost completely submerged while waiting for prey.
Green anacondas spend most of their time in or near water, swimming lurking and resting. In the wild anacondas live about 10 years on average. They are very solitary snakes that like to be on their own most of their life span. When they find their mate , it is usually during the dry season, from March to May. They form a mating “ball” of up to 13 snakes, where the males compete for access to the females. Females are bigger and stronger than males. The female may eat one or more of the males to gain nutrients for their offspring. Females give birth to 20-40 , 2 ft long babies that can almost immediately swim out and hunt.
- Lisa Brown RUJT

10/02/2025

Headed to the lodge with Chef Maguito

07/02/2025

Howler Monkeys are the largest new world monkeys. They weigh up to 22 pounds and have hairless, prehensile tails, that are used to grip and help swing from trees. They also have large hyoid bones(Adams apple) that house their vocal cords and help produce a very loud call, that is one of the loudest calls made by any land animal. Howler monkeys have short snouts and beards and long thick hair, that can be black, brown or red.

Red howler monkeys can be found in a large variety of habitats within its range. Including tropical forests, including rain forests, deciduous forests, and mangrove swamp. They prefer lake and river edge habitats. The species is found at high altitudes ,most of the time, but can also be found low to the ground foraging for food on occasion.They are not as active as other monkeys. They tend to sit in the tree tops for hours eating leaves.

Red howlers are vegetarians and predominantly frugivorous, consuming mainly fruits, fruit pulp and fruit leaves supplemented by roots, flowers, seeds and berries. They prefer medium or large fruits that are brightly colored. They also prefer young leaves over older ones. This species is also an important seed dispersal mechanism for the plants which it consumes. Fruit availability is very seasonal. As a result, at different times of the year, red howlers eat more vegetation than they do fruit and vice versa.

Red holder monkeys are famous for a deafening roar that can be heard up to 5 km away! They use their sound to announce to They live in social groups up to 10 members. They are most active in the mornings and evenings. They cover about 400 meters per day , eating in the tree tops.

Humans are the greatest threat to these monkeys due to deforestation and habitat loss, disease, and hunting.Human development are the leading causes of deforestation. Red howlers are also hunted for food, pet trade and traditional medicine. Predators also include jaguars , pumas , eagles , snakes, dogs and coyotes.

- Lisa Brown RUJT

06/02/2025

Red Uakari Jungle Tours!

06/02/2025

Black Collared Hawk

The black collared hawk is easily spotted because of its white head and black ring around its neck. These birds can be seen during the day, as they are fishing specialist.

reduakarijungletours.com

05/02/2025

White Mustache Tamarin, reduakarijungletours.com

04/02/2025

There are two types of two toed sloths, Linnaeus and Hoffman. The only difference is the shape in their skull. Two toed sloths are about 24 -27 inches long and weighs up to 17 pounds . Two toed sloths are characterized by their two front claws ,which reach lengths up to 2.9 cm., long limbs and course fur. As well as short flat snouts, large eyes and rudimentary ears. They also have two layers of fur, an overcoat and an undercoat . The first layer helps trap moisture and allows algae to grow. The second layer gives off a greenish tint that helps them camouflage in the forrest canopy. Lastly two toed sloths have 18 teeth. There are 5 teeth on each side of the upper jaw and four on each side of the lower jaw. As well as 2 blade like teeth in the front.

Sloths spend most of their time upside down in the trees. They live in the tropical rainforests of central and northern South America. Including parts of Brazil and Peru. Sloths are strictly arboreal, spending their time high up in the canopy and maintaining a range of about 10 acres.

The diet of a two toed sloth consists of leaves from hibiscus , mulberry and fruit trees. They also love fruit, such as, apples, pears, mangos, papayas and melons. some eat green shoots but they also may eat eggs, insects and lizards.

Two toed sloths are slow moving and solitary animals. They are known for their slow metabolism and their ability to hang up side down. They hang upside down to eat, breathe, and give birth.Their bodies have evolved over time because of this. They only come down from the trees once a week to defecate and that is when they are most vulnerable to predators.

Sloths have many predators, including jaguars, oscelots, harpy eagles and Anacondas. To protect themselves , sloths have algae covered fur and hang motionlessly . If caught by a predator , the sloth will hiss and swipe with their ferocious teeth and long claws. Although they may be slow on the ground they can also move through the trees very quickly.

They life cycle of the two toed sloth consists of gestation, birth ,adolescence, adulthood. the gestation period of a two toed sloth lasts for about 6-11 months . Sloths give birth to one offspring ,once per year. Sloths give birth in the tree tops, upside down, protecting them from falling. They weigh about 14 oz, and cling to their mothers bellies for a few a period of weeks, to even months until they get enough strength to move on their own. The two toed sloth reaches maturity between 2-5 years.
Lisa Brown - RUJT

03/02/2025

Ranitomeya Poison Dart Frog

03/02/2025

Red Uakari Jungle Tours

27/01/2025

Happy Monday from Red Uakari Jungle Tours

23/01/2025

Hiking thru the jungle

21/01/2025

21/01/2025

Snake Charmer