Term
|
Definition
| The tallest trees are the emergents, towering up to 200 feet above the forest floor. Most of these trees are broad-leaved, hardwood evergreens. Sunlight is plentiful up here. Animals found are eagles, monkeys, bats and butterflies. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| This is the primary layer of the forest and forms a roof over the two remaining layers. Most canopy trees have smooth, oval leaves that come to a point. Many animals live in this area since food because there is so much food. Some of those animals include: snakes, toucans and treefrogs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Little sunshine reaches this area so the plants have to grow larger leaves to capture the sunlight. The plants in this area rarely grow to 12 feet! Many animals live here including jaguars, red-eyed tree frogs and leopards. There is a large concentration of insects here. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| It's very dark down on the floor. Almost no plants grow in this area, as a result. Since hardly any sun reaches the forest floor things begin to decay quickly. A leaf that might take one year to decompose in a regular climate will disappear in 6 weeks. Giant anteaters live in this layer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| These frogs are the size of a thumbnail. Its poison is one of the most powerful known and can cause paralysis or death. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Leaf-cutter ants have powerful jaws which vibrate a thousand times a second to slice off pieces of leaf. Size for size, their bodies are amazingly powerful. They are able to carry pieces of leaf that weigh at least 20 times their own body weight![image] |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A toucan's bill is very light because its hollow. There is a different pattern on each bill which helps toucans tell from the other. They live in small flocks and are very playful. Toucan like playing catch with fruits.[image] |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Sloths are very slow moving and live in the canopy layer. They feed on fruit, leaves, buds, and young twigs. Some sloths stay in the same tree for years. They are nocturnal animals. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The caiman is a very large reptile growing up to 4 yards long! The name of this species comes from the bony ridges across its snout. The caiman is nocturnal. It lives in fresh water, such as the lakes and rivers around the Amazon rainforest. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The tapir spends most of its time near water and is a great swimmer and diver. They can run fairly fast on land. Tapirs are most active at night. These animals are about two yards long when full grown and can weigh over 500 pounds! |
|
|
