10 Unique Animals You Can Spot in Suriname
Suriname is a true paradise for nature lovers. Thanks to its vast rainforests, tranquil travel experience, and profound respect for nature, you can see animals here that have long since become rare in other parts of the world.
From nocturnal animals in the jungle to aquatic life in the coastal regions, Suriname is home to a wealth of iconic species. In this blog post, we share 10 unique animals and where you can best spot them on our tours.
1. Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) – The Secret Cat of the Rainforest
The jaguarundi is a small wild cat that is rarely seen because it lives a solitary life and is very shy. What makes this species so special is that it is active during the day (unlike most cats) and often moves as smoothly as a marten or mongoose.
Identification Points
Color: A uniform reddish-brown or grayish (you can see the red shape in your photo)
Size: About the size of a domestic cat, but with a longer, slender body and a long tail
Ears: Small, rounded, and spotless
Behavior: Often low to the ground, hunts small animals, very alert but also relaxed in quiet areas
Where does it live?
The jaguarundi is found in the rainforests of Suriname, primarily in remote areas such as:
Kabalebo Nature Resort
Sipaliwini Savanna
Kasikasima and Tapanahony Region
💬 Sightings at the resort itself are extremely rare and a unique opportunity for nature lovers and photographers.
Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) Suriname Kabalebo This photo was spotted by one of our guests on the Kabalebo Tour.
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2. Blue Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius azureus)
The blue poison dart frog is perhaps Suriname’s most iconic amphibian. This bright blue frog with black spots looks like it came straight out of an animated film, but it’s 100% real and unique. It’s found exclusively in a small area in southern Suriname, in and around the Sipaliwini Savannah and the South Suriname Plateau. This species lives nowhere else in the world in the wild.
Why is it so special?
Unique color: the striking blue color with black spots is a natural warning signal to predators (“I’m poisonous”).
Poison dart frog? Yes, but it’s only poisonous in the wild due to its natural diet (small ants and beetles). In captivity, it’s harmless.
Size: Only 3 to 4 cm – small but spectacular.
Very limited range – you won’t find them in the wild anywhere else in the world.
Where can you spot them?
The best (and virtually only) chance to see this frog in the wild is in southern Suriname, specifically on:
Kasikasima expeditions (multi-day jungle adventures)
Gran Rio/Sintia Dam expeditions (lesser-known, but locally known habitat)
Sipaliwini Savanna expeditions (custom-made only)
Because these areas are very remote, spotting this species often requires a multi-day tour with an overnight stay and guidance from an experienced local guide.
Blue Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius azureus) in Suriname, Sipaliwini. This photo was spotted by one of our guests on the Gran Rio/Sintiadam tour in Kasikasima.
3. Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola rupicola)
One of the most striking birds of the rainforest
The Cock-of-the-Rock, also known locally as the “Cock-of-the-Rock,” is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular birds in Suriname. With its fiery orange plumage and striking rounded crest, it is a true eye-catcher in the green backdrop of the rainforest. And the best part? This bird is found exclusively in the forests of the Guiana Shield, including Suriname.
Characteristics
Male: bright orange, with a striking rounded crest
Female: browner with a less striking crest
Length: approximately 30 cm
Behavior: solitary, except during mating season
Food: fruit, insects, small animals
The unique courtship ritual
What makes the Cock-of-the-Rock extra special is its courtship behavior. During the breeding season, several males gather in a clearing in the forest—the so-called “leksite”—where they rhythmically beat their wings, hop back and forth, and make whistling sounds to impress females. This spectacular behavior can only be seen at certain locations and times, making it extra special.
📍 Where can you see the Cock-of-the-Rock?
In Suriname, there are a few specific locations where the chance of spotting this bird is relatively high—especially during the morning hours of the dry season.
Recommended tours:
Raleigh Falls & Voltzberg Tour – best location to visit the leak site
Fredberg Tour – guided to a well-known observation site (seasonal)
Gran Rio / Sintia Dam – deep inland, only available through special expeditions
Cock of the Rock Kasikasima Suriname Female Cock-of-the-Rock in Suriname Fredberg
4. White-faced Saki (Pithecia pithecia)
The mysterious Fredberg monkey
The white-faced saki is a medium-sized, shy, and very rarely seen monkey species that mainly lives in the higher treetops. They live in small groups, are diurnal, and eat mainly fruit and seeds, nuts, and insects. The fact that it shows itself so well and was photographed in such a beautiful location makes this sighting very special.
Characteristics:
Appearance: Male: Black body with a striking white head
Female: Grayer face, less contrast
Size: Approximately 30–50 cm (excluding tail)
Habitat: Upper tree canopy in primary rainforest
Behavior: Very alert, but calm; when threatened, they often remain still in trees
Where to see it? Fredberg – regularly spotted, especially in the morning
Also reported in areas such as Palumeu, Raleigh Falls, and the South Suriname Plateau
More difficult to find than howler monkeys or squirrel monkeys
White-nosed Saki (Pithecia pithecia) Suriname Fredberg
5. Porcupine (Coendou prehensilis)
A surprising inhabitant of the Surinamese treetops
The rainforest porcupine, also known as the tree porcupine, is a nocturnal animal that is rarely seen, but often noticed by the sounds it makes or the feeding marks it leaves behind. With its sturdy body, short legs, and long, prehensile tail, it is perfectly adapted to life high in the trees.
Characteristics:
Length: 40–60 cm (excluding tail)
Tail: prehensile (grasping), used to hold branches
Color: Dark brown to black with paler spines
Behavior: Nocturnal, slow, and silent – rests in a tree hollow during the day
Diet: Leaves, bark, fruit, and seeds
Despite its shy nature, the porcupine is not uncommon in Suriname, though it is very well camouflaged.
Tour tip: Peperpot Nature Park – especially early in the morning or during nighttime roosting.
Peperpot Brazilian Porcupine Suriname
7. Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
The giant otter is one of the most impressive predators of Suriname’s rivers. At up to 1.80 meters long, it is the largest otter in the world – and with its loud chatter, sociable behavior, and rapid swimming movements, it is also one of the most fascinating. In Suriname, it still lives in healthy numbers, especially in protected areas far from human activity.
Characteristics:
Length: Up to 1.8 meters (including tail)
Fur: Short, brown, and water-repellent
Behavior: Highly sociable, lives in family groups of 4–8 animals
Sound: Produces barking, screeching, and whistling sounds
Diet: Fish, crabs, and sometimes small caimans or snakes
Where can you see the giant otter in Suriname?
Giant otters live primarily in quiet river arms and creeks with dense vegetation. They avoid human activity, so good guides and patience are crucial.
During the Blanche Marie tour, they were spotted in Kaboeri Creek.
Raleigh Falls – sometimes seen along the riverbanks.
Afobaka Resort – very early in the morning, they swim on the resort’s shore.
Palumeu – early morning or afternoon river excursions.
Maratakka –
Giant Otters Maratakka tour Suriname.
9. Dolphin Spotting in Suriname
A playful dolphin species lives along the mouth of the Suriname River, the best-seen species of dolphins in this region: the Guiana dolphin. With their grayish-blue backs and soft pink bellies, they glide gracefully through the water – often in small groups, leaping alongside the boat or diving in the evening light.
During our Dolphin & Sunset Tour, you’ll cruise along the river at a leisurely pace as the sun sets and the chance of an encounter with these special animals increases. Along the way, you’ll enjoy local snacks, a stop at a former plantation, and the most beautiful view of the day: dolphins at sunset.
10. Sloth (Bradypus tridactylus)
A slow-moving mammal that lives well camouflaged in the canopy.
Sloth
