Animal Environments

What is an Environment? An environment, or habitat, is the natural home of an animal or a plant. An animal’s environment must meet its four basic needs in order for it to survive: Food Water Air Shelter

Types of Environments Tropical Rainforests Swamps Rivers and Streams Oceans Deserts Polar Regions

Rainforests Called Rainforests because of the large amount of RAIN Hot and humid Located on the Equator Lots of plants grow because of heat and water Animals are very colorful

Rainforests Two seasons: Rainy season and Dry season There are more plants found in Rainforests than anywhere in the world.

Rainforests Around the World

Layers of the Rainforest

Emergent Layer The Emergent Layer is the very top layer of the rainforest (reaching above the canopy). Made up of overlapping tree branches. Conditions in the Emergent Layer include: Much sunshine Open air Plants in the Emergent Layer: Hardwood evergreen trees

Animals in the Emergent Layer Eagles Hawks Butterflies

The Canopy The Canopy is the area at the top (the “crown”) of the trees. Contains most of the rainforest animals. Conditions in the canopy include: Hot sunshine Heavy rainfall Plants in the Canopy: - Canopy of leaves and branches from trees, Tied together with vines. - Fruit and flowers

Animals in the Canopy Lemurs Sloths Toucans Monkeys Parrots

The Understory The Understory is between the Canopy and the Forest floor. Made up of small trees. Very little light reaches the Understory. Conditions in the Understory include: Dark Cool Plants in the Understory: Small trees, vines, Leafy plants

Animals in the Understory Insects Spiders Frogs Snakes Lizards

Forest Floor The Forest Floor is the bottom layer of the rainforest. Made up of small plants and shrubs that are able to grow in the dark. Conditions in the Forest Floor include: Wet Dark Cool Plants on the Forest Floor: Small shrubbery bushes and plants/flowers

Animals in the Forest Floor Beetles Jaguars Bengal Tigers Armadillos Gorillas