Rainforest Animal Information

Rainforests are located across the world. They generally lie around the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The regions covered with rainforests are: Central and South America, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, parts of Indonesia and Australia. We find a variety of species of plants and animals in the rainforest. Studies indicate that half of the population of animal species is found in rainforest. Another estimate reveals that 25 percent of the world's medicines are obtained from rainforests plants. Experts suggest that rainforest are disappearing, because of slash and burn farming techniques. This indeed is a thing to worry. The information on rainforest animals will help us know the animal life found in this region and how important these forests are for their existence.

A few examples of the animal life found in rainforests are:

1. Amphibians:

   • Poison Dart Frog: They are located in South America and a few parts of Central America. They eat termites, crickets, flies and ants. They live near marshes, streams and rivers. They grow up to 7 centimeters in length, depending upon the species it belongs to. They lay a group of eggs in water, which takes 12 day to hatch

   • Red Eyed Tree Frog: They are located in Southern Mexico, Central America and South America. They are carnivorous and mostly eat insects. They inhabit near ponds, streams and rivers. It is well known for its bulging red eyes and blue streaks with orange toes

2. Mammals:

   • Bengal Tiger: It is found in south East Asia, in parts of India, China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, as well as few Southeast Asian countries. Their diet consists of antelopes, boars, monkeys, pigs, birds and occasionally elephants.

   • Gorilla: They are found in West Central Africa, along the Congo River. They mostly east leaves, fruits and bark. They live in forests and mountains; sometimes at very high altitudes.

3. Birds:

   • Harpy Eagle: They are found in and near the rainforests of Central and South America. Their diet consists of sloths, monkeys, and other small mammals. They live in large areas of rainforests and the clearings next to it.

   • Parrot: They are found everywhere, especially in tropical areas. Most of them eat fruits, nuts and seeds. They nest in trees in tropical and sub-tropical areas.

4. Reptiles:

   • Anaconda: They are mostly found in the Amazon River Basin, but they are also located in other parts of South America. Its diet consists of rodents, fish, birds, caiman, turtles and even larger mammals, if the snake is large. It can reach up to 37 feet in length. It has a very slow acting digestive system, which takes several weeks or longer to digest its meal.

   • Black Caiman: They are located in South America in the Amazon. It grows upon 5 to 6 meters in length. They eat fishes, turtles, birds, and even large mammals.

5. Arthropods:

   • Blue Morpho Butterfly: They are located in Central and South America and some parts of Mexico. They generally eat rotting and fermenting fruits using their proboscis. They lay eggs, which in turn becomes caterpillars.

   • Leafcutter Ant: They are located in Southwestern United States, Central and South America. They are amazing creatures, who cut pieces of leaves or grass with their strong jaws, then use the plant matter to grow its own fungus, which they eat.