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Explore the Rainforest! | Ecology for Kids

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Click on the link to learn more!

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There are 4 layers of the rainforest . The top layer is called the emergent layer. This layer has trees 200 feet above the forest floor layer. The second layer is called the canopy...

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This is a video of a caterpillar in the rainforest!

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This is a video of a caterpillar in the rainforest!

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So why did the caterpillar react this way? Scientists think the erupting tentacles are probably used for defense-but they aren't sure how it deters predators or parasites. It's possible that the tentacles' white tips direct attention away from the rest of the caterpillar's body, says Andrei Sourakov, collections coordinator at the Florida Museum of Natural History. He and others think the caterpillar detects approaching dangers using a set of vibration-sensitive hairs on the tips of its tentacles.

The truth is, not much is known about the caterpillar or its behavior-or how many other caterpillars might be similarly spring-loaded. But that just makes it easier for these mysterious animals to surprise their unsuspecting visitors!
Text from "Watch: Bizarre Caterpillar With Erupting Tentacles Filmed" by Nadia Drake for National Geographic News Adapted by Rose Davidson, NGS Staff

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So why did the caterpillar react this way? Scientists think the erupting tentacles are probably used for defense-but they aren't sure how it deters predators or parasites. It's possible that the tentacles' white tips direct attention away from the rest of the caterpillar's body, says Andrei Sourakov, collections coordinator at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

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Learn about the howler monkey! It lives in the rainforest!

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Learn about the howler monkey! It lives in the rainforest!

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These monkeys live in Central and South America. At home in the forest, they hardly ever leave the treetops. They don't move very far each day, feeding leisurely at the very top of the forest canopy. Howlers mainly eat leaves, as well as fruits, nuts, and flowers. Howler monkeys get almost all the water they need from the food they eat. One of the few times they can be spotted on the ground, however, is during very dry spells when they need to find extra water.

Howler monkeys have prehensile tails, or tails that can grip. The monkeys use their tails as a fifth limb to grip branches. Mostly it uses its tail to help grip branches as it eats and moves around high in the trees. Each family group is generally made up of 15 to 20 howlers. The leader is usually an old male. The head and body of adult howler monkeys range from 22 to 36 inches (55.8 to 91.4 centimeters) long and their tail can add 23 to 36 inches (58.4 to 91.4 centimeters).

Though most species are classified as least concern, the Yucatán Black is endangered.

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Howler monkeys are the loudest of all monkeys. They call to let others know where their territory is, alerting them to stay away. The calls sound like a loud whooping bark or roar. After one group of howlers call, another group answers. Howler monkeys usually do this in the morning and at the end of the day.

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Learn  about animals that live in the rainforest!

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Learn  about animals that live in the rainforest!

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Famous Rainforests

There are rainforests in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America. The biggest rainforest is the Amazon rainforest. It's about the size of the contiguous United States, which doesn't include Alaska or Hawaii. More than half of it is in Brazil, but parts are in several other South American countries, including Ecuador and Bolivia. The next biggest rainforest is the Congo in Africa. Parts of the Congo can be found in several other countries too, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon.

Most rainforests are found along or near the Equator, where it tends to be hot. But some rainforests grow in temperate regions where it's cooler. Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park on the Pacific northwest coast of North America is an example of a temperate rainforest. Like tropical rainforests, temperate rainforests get lots of, well, rain.

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Famous Rainforests There are rainforests in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America. The biggest rainforest is the Amazon rainforest. It's about the size of the contiguous United States, which doesn't include Alaska or Hawaii. More than half of it is in Brazil, but parts are in several other South American countries, including Ecuador and Bolivia.