República Bolivariana de Venezuela

Universidad Nacional Experimental Marítima del Caribe

Environmental Engineering
Cátedra de Idiomas
English VI
UNIT 1

VENEZUELA’S TERRESTRIAL AND COASTAL HABITATS

Pre-reading.

Say TRUE or FALSE

1.-A quarter of Venezuela’s geography is covered in tropical forests. T F

2.-Frailejones are found only in Venezuela’s Andes Mountains. T F
3.-There are around 250 species of mammals recorded in Venezuela. T F
4.-Venezuela’s underwater fauna is made up of multicolored fish, starfish, sea urchins, sea
anemones, and corals. T F

With a large diversity of landscape and life zones Venezuela is one of the top 12
"Megadiverse" countries in the world. The uniquely diverse environment of Venezuela
supports a wide variety of exotic plants and animals, including the fearsome piranha,
primitive hoatzin birds, jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, armadillos, and anteaters. Venezuela has
the longest snake in the world, the anaconda (Eunectes murinus); the largest rodent in the
world, the capybara (Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris), and the world's largest flying bird, the
Andean Condor (Vultur Gryphus).
FLORA
With its diverse geography and tropical climate, Venezuela is abundant in plant
species every bit as varied and interesting as the fauna. A quarter of the country is covered
in tropical forest. Over 30,000 species of named tropical plants inhabit the dense
mountainous cloud forest of the Henri Pittier National Park. Here you'll find the beautiful
bird of paradise plant (Heliconia acuminata), primitive tree ferns, and epiphytic plants
(plants that derive moisture and nutrients from the air and rain) are part of the lush scenery.
In the upper reaches of the Andes Mountains are the desolate but beautiful paramos.
Here in this high tundra, boggy highland meadows you'll find amazing cotton-soft shrubs
called "frailejones" whose large, down-covered cream-green leaves are arranged in a
striking rosette pattern. Found only in Venezuela, Columbia, and Ecuador, the frailejones
blossom from October to December with yellow flowers, turning the mountains into a mass
of green and yellow. Thin prairie palm, saman, carocaro and pardillo trees thrive in the
Llanos plains lowlands, while moriche palms and coco de mono make up the gallery forests
clinging to riverbanks.
FAUNA
Mammals
There are some 250 species of mammals recorded in Venezuela, including the hard
to spot jaguar, the largest cat in the New World. Sloths and monkeys are also found here, as
well as the armadillo, anteater, tapir, capybara, puma, ocelot, and the peccary to name just a
few.

Birds
There are some 1250 species of birds in Venezuela – more than in Europe and
North America combined. Los Llanos is famous for bird-watching, as is the cloud forests of
the Henri Pittier National Park. From tropical birds such as macaws, toucans, and parrots to
water birds like the scarlet ibis, herons, and pelicans, eco-adventurers to Venezuela will
delight at the diversity of species.
Some highlights include the primitive hoatzin, the endangered Andean Condor,
Jabiru, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Roseate Spoonbill, as well as more than 47 species of
parrots and 97 species of hummingbirds recorded in Venezuela.
Insects & reptiles
Over 30,000 insect species have been discovered in Venezuela, including the
brilliant electric-blue morphos butterflies and the slightly less charming gnat. Venezuela is
also home to numerous species of reptiles like the caiman (Caiman crocodile), also known
as the American crocodile. Other reptiles include the snakes like the boa and rattlesnake,
and herbivorous iguanas.
Underwater Life
With a maze of small islands and coral reefs, the submarine flora and fauna of
Venezuela is incredibly rich. Dive beneath the waters and you'll see multicolored fish,
starfish, sea urchins, sea anemones, and corals.
1.-Complete the mind maps

Venezuela’s
flora Venezuela’s
fauna

2.-Match the words from the three columns to write phrases describing animals, and
places according to the text. Some words may be used more than one time.

tropical mountain anaconda

longest rodent condor
largest snake paramos
hard to spot feline jaguar
desolate bird parrot
capybara

3.-Match the words taken from the text.

1.-boggy ____abundant, plentiful.
2.-dense ____ causing awe or respect.
3.-lush ____ wet and spongy.
4.-fearsome ____ having the component parts closely compacted together; crowded or compact.

4.-Choose two words from the exercise above and use each in a sentence.

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

5.-Answer the questions about the test

1.-Why is Venezuela one of the top 12 Megadiverse countries in the world?

2.-How much of Venezuela’s geography is covered in tropical forests?
3.-How many species of plants are found in Henri Pittier National Park?
4.-What trees are in Los Llanos plains?
5.-What mammals can be found in Venezuela’s fauna ?
6.-What activity is Los Llanos famous for?
7.-What are some birds you can watch in Los Llanos?

Taken from a work collected and developed by Prof. Cesar Rivas.