Article Surfing Archive

Animals of the Tropical Rainforest

The tropical rainforest is a unique ecosystem that is home to many plants and animals, in fact more plants and animals than we even know about. The plants found in the tropical rainforest produce much of the oxygen that is essential for our planet. In addition, many of the plants have unique healing properties against illness and disease.

Tropical rainforest is home to many rare animal species such as the Brazilian Tapir, found only in some areas of South America . Brazilian Tapir is a mammal which likes to live near water swimming and diving, feeding on leaves and small branches. Being naturally afraid of anything larger than itself it is harmless to man. It likes to live mainly near the lakes and ponds that are present in the tropical rainforest. Besides this there are many other unique animals that have made this beautiful rainforest their home.

Besides the animals this tropical rainforest is also the abode of many different and rare bird species such as the Crested Guan. This bird is found mainly on the northern tip of South America. It feeds on the fruit and seeds and prefers to live mainly on the trees, walking between the branches. It comes down on the ground only in search of water. It also feeds itself by collecting fallen fruits and seeds from the forest floor.

Many reptiles can be found in the tropical rainforest. One of the reptiles that can be found living in the forests of Indonesia and the Philippines is the Flying Dragon. This reptile is called the "flying dragon" because he seems to fly from one tree to another using his skin flaps. You'll find this reptile eating ants and other insects. When it comes time to breed they'll bury their eggs in the fertile soil of the rainforest.

The Slow Loris is another animal that is unique to the tropical rainforest. This animal will spend most of his day in the tops of trees sleeping quietly. At night you'll find him feeding on shoots and leaves, small birds, bird's eggs, and insects that he finds on the ground. The Loris is a very slow mover but you'll rarely see him stumble as he makes his way from tree top to the forest floor. You might even see him hanging upside down from his feet.

There are many different types of snakes that can only be found in the tropical rainforest. One of these snakes is the Vine Snake, which lives in central and northern South America. This snake eats small birds which it steals from nests, as well as lizards that it finds on the ground and in the trees of the forest. This snake is called a "vine snake' because it very thin, approximately a half inch in diameter. When frightened by a predator the Vine Snake will stop what it is doing and swing gently from side to side, much like a vine in the wind.

There are many other animals that are indigenous to the tropical rainforests. Many of these animals have unique and different features that help them to survive in this beautiful, though sometimes harsh, environment. The wonders of the tropical rainforest continue to amaze us as more is learned about the plants and animals that live there.