A tropical rainforest is defined as an area located 28 degrees north or south of the equator. They can be found in Asia, Africa, Australia, South and Central America, and Mexico. They are also located throughout the Pacific Isles. The average temperature for a tropical rainforest exceeds 20 degrees Celsius for all months of the year, and the normal annual rainfall has a minimum of cm.

The tropical rainforest consists of five main layers, each of which contains different plants and animals. The animals found are adapted for life in this area. The first layer, is the Emergent Layer, and it consists of a few large trees that outgrow the canopy layer. The second layer is the canopy layer, and it is the main layer of the forest, as it forms a roof for the remaining layers. Most canopy trees have large oval leaves that come to a point, and the layer is a maze of leaves and branches. The next layer is the understory layer. Little sunlight reaches this layer, so the plant life grows larger leaves in order to obtain it. The plants here don’t grow very large. The last layers are the shrub layer, and the forest floor and such little sun reaches this area that almost no plants grow in these layers.

Due to the differences in layers of the rainforest, the animals and plants found also differ in each area. Emergent Layer- Eagles, bats, butterflies, and certain monkeys. Canopy Layer- Snakes, toucans, and tree frogs. Understory Layer- Jaguars, red-eyed tree frogs, leopards, and large quantities of insects. Shrub Layer/Forest Floor- Giant Anteaters.

The rainforests account for more then two thirds of Earths plant species, and some of the strangest in the world are found here. Due to the lack of light on the forest floor, certain plants have evolved to grow on the branches of other plants, or to even wrap around and “strangle” any competition. Plants found in the higher layers use things called “air roots” to gather nourishment directly from the air itself. There is also a number of carnivorous plants, like the Venus flytrap, and the pitcher plant. Both eat small insects, but the pitcher plant is known to eat small mammals and reptiles that try to steal insects from the plant. There are many decomposers found within the rainforest, including, a type of plant called a saprophyte, and different types of fungi. It also includes many animals, such as snails, slugs, beetles, and ants.