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Because tropical rain forests are some of the oldest ecosystems on earth, they are home to a diverse population of plants and animals. In fact, around 50% of the world's land-dwelling plants and animals can be found here - with new species still being discovered.

Rain Forest Animals

Throughout all the different layers of a tropical rain forest, you'll find a wide variety of animals. Most of us think of monkeys when we think of rain forests. Other rain forest mammals include sloths, tapirs, jaguars, ocelots, kinkajous, lemurs and agouti.

The warm, moist environment is also an ideal habitat for reptiles and amphibians. Many types of frogs, salamanders, snakes and lizards can be found in almost every layer of the forest.

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

Bullock's Oriole

This bird can be found in deciduous woodlands, shade trees, riparian forests, parks, and towns up to 8,000 feet in elevation.

Great numbers winter in Mexico. Sometimes they can be seen in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
More Birds

Rain Forest Birds

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

Others are temporary residents. Many of the songbirds we enjoy in our yards every summer spend their winters in the rain forests of Mexico, Central America and South America-relying on the forest 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:

All of the rain forest plants work to provide food and shelter for rain forest animals as well as convert carbon dioxide to oxygen.

Competition at ground level for light and food has led to some unique plant evolution. Some plants live on the branches of other plants and use "air roots" to draw nourishment from the air. Others, like the strangler fig, will wrap themselves around (and ultimately strangle) large trees 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 today come from plants found only in tropical rain forests. This includes treatments for a variety of cancers, malaria, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, high blood pressure and more. But there is still so much untapped potential. According to Michael Blalick, director of the Institute of Economic Botany (part of the New York Botanical Garden), of all the known plant species, "less than 3 percent have been tested for their medical applications."

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Tropical rain forests exist in a belt ranging from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn around the earth's equator. Rain forests cover only 2% of the Earth's surface, yet they provide habitat and nutritional support for almost half of the Earth's known living species. You can help save them!

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Animals of the Savanna - Learning Ecosystems for Kids

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A new improved video of animals from the arctic tundra including some of the most well known animals from the region including polar bears, arctic foxes, arctic wolves, snowy owls and more. Read more at : http://tundra-animals-plants.blogspot.com Cheers

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Desert Plants and Animals adaptations -For Kids

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25 Facts About the AMAZON RAINFOREST | 25 FACTS

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Desert Plants

Most desert species have found remarkable ways to survive by evading drought. Desert succulents, such as cacti or rock plants (Lithops) for example, survive dry spells by accumulating moisture in their fleshy tissues. They have an extensive system of shallow roots to capture soil water only a few hours after it has rained. Additionally, many cacti and other stem-succulent plants of hot deserts present columnar growth, with leafless, vertically-erect, green trunks that maximize light interception during the early and late hours of the day, but avoid the midday sun, when excessive heat may damage plant tissues.

One of the most effective drought-survival adaptations for many species is the evolution of an ephemeral life-cycle. An ephemeral life cycle is characterized by a short life and the capacity to leave behind very hardy forms of propagation. This ability is found not only in plants but also in many invertebrates. Desert ephemerals are amazingly rapid growers capable of reproducing at a remarkably high rate during good seasons.

Desert Animals

Birds and large mammals can escape critical dry spells by migrating along the desert plains or up into the mountains. Smaller animals cannot migrate but regulate their environment by seeking out cool or shady places. In addition to flying to other habitats during the dry season, birds can reduce heat by soaring. Many rodents, invertebrates, and snakes avoid heat by spending the day in caves and burrows searching out food during the night. Animals active in the day reduce their activities by resting in the shade during the hotter hours.

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Most desert species have found remarkable ways to survive by evading drought. Desert succulents, such as cacti or rock plants (Lithops) for example, survive dry spells by accumulating moisture in their fleshy tissues. They have an extensive system of shallow roots to capture soil water only a few hours after it has rained.

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Location

Tropical grasslands are located near the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. They cover much of Africa as well as large areas of Australia, South America, and India.

Plants

Tropical grasslands are dominated by grasses, often 3 to 6 feet tall at maturity. They may have some drought-resistant, fire-resistant or browse-resistant trees, or they may have an open shrub layer. They develop in regions where the climax community should be forest, but drought and fire prevent the establishment of many trees.

Animals

Tropical grassland animals (which do not all occur in the same area) include giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, kangaroos, mice, moles, gophers, ground squirrels, snakes, worms, termites, beetles, lions, leopards, hyenas, and elephants. The world's greatest diversity of ungulates (hoofed mammals) is found on the savannas of Africa. The antelopes are especially diverse and include eland, impalas, gazelles oryx, gerenuk and kudu. Buffalo, wildebeest, plains zebra, rhinos, giraffes, elephants and warthogs are among other herbivores of the African savanna. Carnivores include lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, wild dogs and hyenas. Termites are especially abundant in the tropical grasslands of the world.

Climate

Tropical grasslands are found in tropical wet and dry climates. These areas are hot year-round, usually never dropping under 64 degrees Farenheit. Although these areas are overall very dry, they do have a season of heavy rain. Annual rainfall is from 20-50 inches per year. It is crucial that the rainfall is concentrated in six or eight months of the year, followed by a long period of drought when fires can occur. If the rain were well distributed throughout the year, many such areas would become tropical forest.

Soil

The soil of tropical grasslands is porous, with rapid drainage of water. It has only a thin layer of humus (the organic portion of the soil created by partial decomposition of plant or animal matter), which provides vegetation with nutrients.

Threats

Poaching, overgrazing and clearing of the land for crops are the main threats. About 16 percent of tropical grasslands have been converted for agriculture or urban development. Desertification is also a significant threat.

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Tropical grasslands are located near the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. They cover much of Africa as well as large areas of Australia, South America, and India. Tropical grasslands are dominated by grasses, often 3 to 6 feet tall at maturity.

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Plants & Animals That Live in the Tundra

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At first glance, the treeless tundra might appear lifeless by winter. But during the summer, the plants and wildlife of the tundra region explode into life. These diverse flora and fauna have developed a number of special adaptations that help them make the most of the short, intense summer season.