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Where do you find rainforests?

Tropical rainforests are found across the world near the Equator in South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

The largest rainforest, the Amazon, is located in South America.

More than half of the Earth's species of animals and plants live in tropical rainforests, even though rainforests only cover a small part of the Earth.

So why do so many animals and plants choose rainforests as their habitat?

Rainforests as habitats

A habitat is a home. Habitats for animals and plants are homes where they can find everything they need to survive, such as food, water, and shelter.

Rainforests make excellent habitats for several reasons:

• They get a lot of rain (hence the name RAINforests!), which helps plants grow, giving animals plenty of food and shelter.

• They are hot and humid, making it a comfortable place for many animals and plants.

• They have lots of trees, which can provide a safe place for animals to hide from predators.

Rainforests are great habitats because they are home to many different animals and plants that can't be found anywhere else.

What animals live in a rainforest?

The wildlife in rainforests live at different levels. Many live at the top of the trees with lots of sunlight, warmth and food.

The biggest animals live on the forest floor. Most rainforest animals have unique features which help them move through the rainforest.

For example, birds have short, broad wings, which means they can twist and turn easily through the branches of the trees.

Here are some examples of animals we might find in the rainforest:

• Toucan: A colourful bird with a large beak that lives high up in the trees and eats fruit.

• Sloth: A slow-moving mammal that eats leaves and hangs upside down from branches.

• Jaguar: A large carnivorous cat that hunts for prey on the ground and in trees.

• Poison dart frog: A brightly coloured amphibian that lives on the forest floor and uses its toxic skin to deter predators.

• Anaconda: A giant, non-venomous snake that lives near rivers and swamps and feeds on fish, birds, and mammals.

• Macaw: A colourful parrot that lives in the canopy layer of the rainforest and eats fruit and seeds.

Deforestation

Deforestation is when humans cut down, clear or burn down large areas of forests.

Due to deforestation, half of the world’s rainforests have been destroyed over the past 100 years.

There is a concern that if people are not careful that in the next 100 years, rainforests may vanish altogether.

What can people do to help?

Humans must take action so that rainforests, their plants and animals continue to live.

We can help by planting more trees, using sustainable forestry practices, and reducing our consumption of wood and paper products.

Other ways in which people can help are by supporting conservation organisations, and following laws that protect our forests and wildlife.