FAUNA
COUGAR
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MANED WOLF
CRAB-EATING FOX
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ONCILLA
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HARE
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BROWN BROCKET DEER
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CRAB-EATING RACCOON
PARTNER - GUARABAIO INSTITUTE
The Guarabaio Institute is an organization dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity in southern Brazil, promoting scientific research, environmental education, advocacy, cultural appreciation, and ecotourism, with the maned wolf and the puma as its flagship species.
We are excited to announce our new partnership with the Guarabaio Institute, a non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of endangered species such as the puma and the maned wolf. With a passionate and highly qualified team, the Institute works tirelessly to promote research, education, and preservation actions, aiming to strengthen the populations of these iconic species and their natural habitats.
Through this partnership, we hope to amplify our joint efforts in protecting the wildlife of the La Cupula region in Urubici. The Guarabaio Institute will bring its expertise and knowledge to enrich our project, contributing valuable information and initiatives that will benefit both local biodiversity and community awareness. Together, we are committed to ensuring a sustainable future for our precious animals and ecosystems. To follow the work of the Guarabaio Institute, find them on Instagram @institutoguarabaio.
FAUNA, ECOTOURISM & BIODIVERSITY AT LA CUPULA URUBICI
Urubici, one of the most stunning destinations in Santa Catarina, is home to a rich and diverse fauna. In this privileged setting, La Cupula stands out as a true natural sanctuary. Located amidst native forest, the bubble hotel has recorded the presence of rarely seen animals, such as the cougar, the maned wolf, the pampas fox, the peninsular deer, hares, and the wildcat. La Cupula's security cameras capture impressive images of these animals, highlighting the importance of the area for biodiversity conservation.
La Cupula is nestled in a forest that houses various species of plants and animals, some of which are endangered. This rich native vegetation not only provides an ideal habitat for local fauna but also plays a crucial role in regulating the climate, protecting the soil, and maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
The ecotourism practiced by La Cupula fosters a special connection with nature in a responsible and sustainable way. Sharing images and information about the local fauna aims to raise awareness among visitors and the community about the importance of environmental preservation. The presence of such rare animals reinforces La Cupula's role in conservation and shows that, when protected, nature still has much to offer.
The cougar, also known as the puma or mountain lion (scientific name Puma concolor), has been spotted three times in recent months by the security cameras at the La Cupula guesthouse in Urubici. This impressive feline is the second-largest in the Americas, second only to the jaguar, and is known for its incredible adaptability, inhabiting everything from dense tropical forests to deserts and mountains.
With a uniform coat color ranging from beige to light brown, the cougar is an agile and silent predator, known for its hunting skills and stealth. It can reach up to 2.4 meters in length (including the tail) and weigh between 30 and 80 kg, depending on the region and gender.
As an apex predator in the food chain, the cougar plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, regulating populations of herbivores such as deer and capybaras. This role is essential for preventing overgrazing and preserving native vegetation.
Despite its strength and imposing nature, the cougar is a shy and solitary animal, avoiding human interaction whenever possible. Its discreet habits make sightings rare, which makes the records captured at La Cupula even more valuable.
The privileged location of La Cupula, surrounded by a vast area of native forest, provides a safe refuge for the cougar and many other species. The tranquility of the environment, combined with the absence of human disturbances and the abundance of natural resources, creates ideal conditions for the presence of this majestic feline.
The footage recorded at La Cupula not only celebrates local biodiversity but also reinforces the importance of conservation and responsible ecotourism.
An interesting fact about the cougar is its incredible jumping ability: it can leap up to 5 meters in height and 12 meters in distance in a single jump! This skill, combined with its agility, makes it one of the most efficient predators in the world.
After 70 years without records in Santa Catarina, the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), the largest canine in South America, made its historic return. In 2023, it was captured on video for the first time in the region, marking a moment of great significance for the conservation of local biodiversity. In 2024, the security cameras at the La Cupula guesthouse in Urubici recorded a new video of the maned wolf, solidifying the second confirmed sighting of the animal in the state after decades of absence.
The maned wolf is known for its distinctive and elegant appearance. It has long, slender legs, adapted for crossing tall vegetation and open terrain with agility. Its coat is a vibrant reddish color, with black patches on the limbs and back of the body, along with a characteristic dark "mane" around the neck that stands up when it is alert. About 1 meter tall at the shoulders and weighing between 20 and 30 kg, it is the largest canine in South America.
In addition to its impressive appearance, the maned wolf is a solitary animal, usually active at dawn and dusk. Its presence in the Serra Catarinense is a positive sign, indicating the region's potential for ecological recovery.
The presence of the maned wolf at La Cupula highlights the importance of preserving native habitats. Located in a vast forested area, the guesthouse provides a safe and tranquil refuge, essential for the survival of species like this. The video recordings offer a rare opportunity to observe this iconic animal in its natural habitat.
The maned wolf has an intriguing physical characteristic: its highly developed sense of smell allows it to detect food and threats from great distances. This, combined with its long legs and slender body, makes it an efficient explorer in vast open areas, such as the fields and savannas that make up much of its natural habitat.
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The crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) is a small canid that inhabits the Serra Catarinense region and has frequently been spotted by the security cameras at La Cupula. With an appearance similar to a wild dog, this animal is agile, opportunistic, and adaptable, living in a wide variety of habitats, from dense forests to open areas.
With fur ranging from gray to brown, the crab-eating fox is smaller in size compared to other canids, weighing between 4 and 8 kg. Its thick, fur-covered tail is one of its most distinctive features. Like the maned wolf, the crab-eating fox is a nocturnal animal, preferring to hunt and feed at night, in search of fruits, insects, and small vertebrates, such as rodents and birds.
The crab-eating fox uses a series of vocalizations to communicate, ranging from soft howls to short barks. This communication is essential for marking territory or alerting other individuals about dangers.
The Oncilla, one of the smallest wild cats in the Americas, is a resident of the native forests of the Serra Catarinense. Recently, it was recorded by the security cameras at La Cupula in Urubici, highlighting the importance of the location in wildlife conservation. This small and agile feline is known for its coat covered in dark spots, which can vary in size and shape, providing effective camouflage in dense vegetation.
Weighing between 1.5 and 3.5 kg and with a slender body, the Oncilla is smaller than many domestic cats, but it is a highly efficient predator. Its diet consists of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. It is a solitary and primarily nocturnal animal, preferring preserved forest areas to live and hunt.
Despite being one of the smallest wild cats, the Oncilla is incredibly agile and can easily climb trees to escape predators or hunt prey. Its ability to adapt to different types of forests, from the densest to transitional areas, is one of the reasons for its survival.
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The European hare (Lepus europaeus), a species introduced to Brazil, is an example of adaptation to the landscape of the Serra Catarinense. Unlike rabbits, hares are larger, more agile, and live in open burrows called "leiras" instead of underground holes.
With long, muscular hind legs, the hare is capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h, an essential feature for escaping natural predators. Its coat, which ranges from brown to gray, helps camouflage it in the vegetation. The hare is a solitary animal, going out to feed at dusk and during the night, preferring grasses and other plants.
The European hare has nearly panoramic vision, thanks to the position of its eyes, allowing it to detect movement in almost all directions except directly ahead. In addition, it is known for its impressive physical endurance, being able to run long distances without exhausting itself.
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The brown brocket deer is one of the most emblematic species of Brazilian fauna, easily recognized by its small size and reddish-brown coat. It inhabits the native forests and open areas of the Serra Catarinense, often seen alone or in pairs.
At La Cupula, the security cameras recorded the presence of brown brocket deer, caught at different moments exploring the area, reinforcing the importance of conserving the local habitat.
Weighing between 15 and 25 kg, the brown brocket deer is herbivorous and feeds on leaves, fruits, and shoots, playing an important role in seed dispersal. It is a very shy animal and uses its agility to quickly escape predators.
The brown brocket deer is known for its ability to remain motionless for long periods when it senses danger, blending in with the surrounding vegetation. Additionally, it has a curious behavior: upon detecting a threat, it can emit a sound similar to a short bark to alert other deer nearby. Despite being shy, it is extremely territorial and tends to use fixed paths to move around its habitat.
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The crab-eating raccoon is a mammal from the Procyonidae family, easily recognized by its fur, which ranges from dark brown to grayish, sometimes reddish or tawny, and by its distinctive black facial mask. It is found across various regions of South America, including forests, mangroves, and areas near water bodies, with a wide distribution that covers all of Brazil.
In addition to being solitary and nocturnal, the crab-eating raccoon spends a significant amount of time in trees, where it builds shelters in tree hollows, bromeliads, and grass clumps. Highly adaptable, it has an omnivorous diet that includes fruits such as embaúba and jerivá, as well as amphibians, fish, mollusks, arthropods, eggs, and small vertebrates. It is also an excellent swimmer, often hunting crabs and other aquatic animals, and may take advantage of human-origin food when available. Studies show its home range can reach up to 6.95 km², with overlaps between individuals, as it is not territorial.
At La Cupula, the preserved habitat provides an ideal refuge for the crab-eating raccoon. Its presence is crucial for seed dispersal and controlling populations of smaller animals, playing an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
The crab-eating raccoon is also known for its unique ability to wash food before eating, especially when living near water sources. This behavior, although not fully understood by scientists, is attributed to its natural curiosity and possibly to the removal of dirt or sand from its food, such as crabs and other crustaceans.
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