Plants and Animals
Tropical rainforests are the most diverse places on Earth when it comes to plants and animals. Did you know that over 50% of all the animals on Earth live in the rainforests? One reason for all this plant and animal life is that rainforests get lots of sunlight. Plants convert this sunlight into energy during photosynthesis. This energy is stored in plants which is then eaten by animals. All of this energy from sunlight helps the rainforests to support lots of different animals and plants. Also, the canopy of plants in rainforests provides lots of places for plants and animals to grow and live. This structure gives plants and animals food and shelter; and, it allows ways for plants and animals to interact. For example, the bromeliad plant's leaves store water; and, animals like frogs can use this water for hunt and lay eggs. Keep reading to find out more about the plants and animals of the rainforests. I went to Disney World this Spring Break, and the pictures are from Disney's Animal Kingdom. It was neat to see some of the plants and animals I am learning about there!
Plants
- 170,000 species of plants (out of 250,000 known on Earth) can be found in rainforests.
- Rainforest plants produce much of our planet's oxygen.
- Many plants from the rainforest are used in medicines and vaccines.
- Plants provide food, shelter, and protection for rainforest animals.
Epiphytes
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Bamboo
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Animals
- Rainforests are full of animal life from insects, arachnids, worms, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals.
- Different types of animals live in different levels, or strata.
- There are more insects that any other type of animal in the rainforest.
- Each year, new species of mammals, birds, frogs and reptiles are found in rainforests.
Macaw
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Lowland Gorilla
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