Animals and Plants of the Rain Woods

Considering tropical rain forests are some of the oldest ecosystems on earth, they are dwelling to a diverse population of plants and animals. In fact, effectually 50% of the globe's state-dwelling plants and animals can be institute hither — with new species still being discovered.

Pelting Woods Animals

Throughout all the dissimilar layers of a tropical rain forest, you lot'll discover a wide variety of animals. Most of u.s.a. think of monkeys when nosotros think of rain forests. Other rain wood mammals include sloths, tapirs, jaguars, ocelots, kinkajous, lemurs and agouti.

The warm, moist environment is too an ideal habitat for reptiles and amphibians. Many types of frogs, salamanders, snakes and lizards tin be found in nearly every layer of the woods.

Butterflies and moths are plentiful in the tropics too. Many migrate, wintering in a rain forest and spending summers in our backyards.

Picture of a Anna's Hummingbird
Anna'southward Hummingbird

These little guys make their presence known with a abrupt "chip" followed past "chee-chee-chee-chee-chee."

They are commonly institute in California, and they spend the wintertime in Mexico."

More Birds

Rain Forest Birds

Rain forests are unequaled in their richness of bird species. Some birds—such equally hummingbirds, harpy eagles, spectacled owls, toucans, macaws, quetzals, hornbills and finches—make their abode in the forests year-round.

Others are temporary residents. Many of the songbirds we enjoy in our yards every summertime spend their winters in the rain forests of Mexico, Central America and Due south America—relying on the woods for refuge during the colder months.

Rain Forest Plants

Over 200,000 species of plants thrive in rain forests. This abundance is due to the warm, humid environment and includes some of the most beautiful and interesting flora:

  • orchids
  • rubber copse
  • poinsettias
  • cacao trees
  • Venus fly traps

  • passion flowers
  • peace lilies
  • brazil nut trees
  • mahogany copse
  • passion fruits

  • lianas
  • birds of paradise
  • strangler fig
  • quinine

All of the pelting woods plants work to provide nutrient and shelter for rain forest animals also as catechumen carbon dioxide to oxygen.

Competition at basis level for light and food has led to some unique plant evolution. Some plants live on the branches of other plants and apply "air roots" to describe nourishment from the air. Others, like the strangler fig, volition wrap themselves effectually (and ultimately strangle) large copse to fight for survival.

Beyond beauty and interest, tropical rain forest plants contribute to modern medicine. It is believed that approximately 25% of all Western medicines on the market place today come up from plants found only in tropical rain forests. This includes treatments for a variety of cancers, malaria, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's affliction, high blood pressure and more. But there is nonetheless then much untapped potential. According to Michael Blalick, director of the Plant of Economic Botany (role of the New York Botanical Garden), of all the known found species, "less than 3 percent have been tested for their medical applications."