Eyes on Science
- Trivia Tuesday: Sloth and Toucan
- Scarlet’s Adventure: Branching Out
- Scarlet’s Adventure: Hanging with Sloths
- World Binturong Day
- Meet Dusty, the African Grey Parrot
- Leachianus Gecko
- Rainforest Roaches
- Giant African Millipede
Fin-tastic Activities
Discover Rainforests
Rainforests are Earth’s oldest living ecosystems, full of diverse animals and plants. It is estimated that over half of the world’s plant and animal species can be found in rainforest habitats! The animals of these ecosystems are adapted to survive in the complex layers created by about 400 billion rainforest trees, including the emergent, canopy, understory, and forest floor. Each layer has unique characteristics based on the different amounts of water, sunlight, and air movement. The heavy rainfall of a tropical rainforest ranges from about 80 to 400 inches per year. The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest. It is home to around 40,000 plant species, nearly 1,300 bird species, 3,000 types of fish, 427 species of mammals, and 2.5 million different insects. Rainforests are critically important to the well-being of our planet.
More Ways to Explore
Learn more about the plants and animals that live in the world’s rainforests at National Geographic.
*External links are provided for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement by LLPA nor is LLPA responsible for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site.