Plants of the tropics. Where do tropical forests grow? Wildlife of the rainforest
The author, in love with his science - zoogeography, claims and proves that it is as interesting as everything connected with the life of animals in the wild. He talks surprisingly clearly about biological properties animals that help them exist in a certain environment, about the connections of fauna with plant formations, about the distribution of animals around the globe and about the factors limiting their settlement, about the history of the development of fauna on various continents.
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Near the equator, the sun remains high in the sky all year round. The air is highly saturated with water vapor rising from the damp earth. Seasons of the year are not expressed. It's stiflingly hot.
In such a climate, lush vegetation develops, the most exotic formation of our earth - the tropical forest. Due to the large role of rain in the formation of this formation, it is also called tropical rain forest.
There are three large tracts of tropical forests in the world: in South America they occupy almost the entire vast Amazon River basin; in Africa they cover the Congo River basin and the coast of the Gulf of Guinea; in Asia, tropical forests occupy part of India, the Indochinese Peninsula, the Malacca Peninsula, the Greater and Lesser Sunda Islands, the Philippines and the island of New Guinea.
The rainforest seems fabulous to everyone who enters it for the first time. Abundance of moisture, mineral salts, optimal temperatures create conditions under which plants form dense thickets, and deep shadow makes them stretch upward, towards the light. No wonder the tropical forest is famous huge trees, raising their crowns high.
Plants that are extremely characteristic of tropical forests are epiphytes, which appear on the trunks and branches of other plants. These include both flowering plants and many species of ferns, mosses and lichens.
Some epiphytes, such as numerous orchids, draw nutrients exclusively from air and rainwater.
Under the canopy of the tropical forest there are no grasses, only rotting remains of leaves, branches and huge trunks of dead trees lie here. This is the kingdom of mushrooms. In conditions of heat and moisture, the decomposition and mineralization of dead remains of plants and animals quickly occurs, which determines the high speed of the biological cycle of substances.
If in deciduous forest In a temperate climate, three or four tiers are clearly defined, but here, in tropical thickets, we immediately get lost in a multitude of tiers and half-tiers.
The richness of the flora is stunning. If in European mixed forests While there are five to ten species of trees, there are many times more species per hectare of forest here than grow in all of Europe. Here you need to spend a lot of effort and time to find at least two identical trees. In Cameroon, for example, there are about 500 species of trees and another 800 species of shrubs.
Tree wood equatorial forest, where seasons are not expressed, has no rings and is highly valued in industry, for example, ebony (ebony) wood and mahogany.
At any time of the year, the tropical forest blooms and bears fruit. It happens that on the same tree you can simultaneously see buds, flowers, ovaries and ripening fruits. And even if the harvest from one tree is completely harvested, there will always be another nearby, all hung with fruits.
In this amazing environment lives no less amazing world animals. Air saturated with water vapor allows many invertebrates that usually live in aquatic environment, live here on land. For example, Ceylon leeches are widely known (Haemadipsa ceylonica), which stick to the leaves of trees and lie in wait for prey (warm-blooded animals), a number of species of crustaceans, centipedes and even amphipods.
All invertebrate animals, whose skin is not covered with a dense chitinous shell, feel really good only in the tropical forest, but elsewhere they are constantly in danger of drying out. Even an experienced zoologist can hardly imagine how many gastropods, for example, live in any corner of the tropical forest. Only one family Helicarionidae in Africa there are more species than all the mollusks in the whole of Poland. Gastropods live everywhere: underground, in fallen trees, on trunks, among branches and leaves, in various layers of the forest. They do not even descend to the ground to lay eggs. Some gastropods of the Philippines (Helicostyla leucophthalma) They build wonderful nests for their eggs from leaves glued together with mucus.
Here ideal conditions for amphibian habitat. In tropical forests there is a huge variety of species of frogs, tree frogs, and toads. Many species lay their eggs in the axils of huge leaves, where water accumulates. Other species lay their eggs directly on the leaves, and their tadpoles undergo accelerated development inside the gelatinous shells of the eggs. There are also species in which the eggs are carried by the male or female on the back. This lasts more than ten days, whereas in our conditions the caviar would dry in a few hours.
Insects in the tropical forest reproduce continuously and live here in huge numbers.
Perhaps it is in the insect fauna that one can most clearly see how the fauna of the tropical forest differs from the tundra. In the tundra, a few species create a population of billions. In tropical thickets, large zoomass is created due to the abundance of species. In the tropical forest it is much easier to catch a hundred specimens for collection various types than the same number of representatives of the same species. A large number of species and a small number of individuals is the main feature of both the flora and fauna of the tropical rain forest. For example, on the island of Barro Colorado in the Panama Canal, as a result of many years of research, about 20 thousand species of insects were discovered on several square kilometers, while in some European country the number of insect species reaches only two to three thousand.
In this diversity, the most fantastic-looking animals arise. Tropical forests are the homeland of all praying mantises that imitate the body shape of tree knots, butterflies that look like leaves, wasp flies and other skillfully camouflaged species.
Wasps and bumblebees form permanent swarms, living in huge and constantly growing nests. Ants and termites are as widespread in tropical forests as in savannas. There are many predators among ants, for example the famous Brazilian ants (Ecitony), not building anthills and migrating in a continuous avalanche. On their way, they kill and devour any animal they encounter. They can create a kind of nest from own bodies, crowding into a tight ball. In the tropics there are rarely anthills or termite mounds on the ground. They are usually located high up - in hollows, in curled leaves and inside plant stems.
The year-round abundance of flowers explains why only in the tropics do birds live that feed exclusively on nectar or small insects, found in the calyxes of flowers. These are two families: hummingbirds South America (Trochilidae) and African-Asian sunbirds (Nectariniidae). It’s the same with butterflies: in the rainforest they fly by the thousands throughout the year.
The continuously ripening fruits serve as food for many groups of frugivores typical of the tropics. Among the birds, the most numerous are parrots and large-billed American toucans. (Rhamphastidae) and hornbills (Bucerotidae), which replace them in Africa; and in Asia - turaco (Musophagidae) with bright plumage and many others leading a similar lifestyle. Dozens of monkey species compete with birds. Frugivores spend their lives in the crowns of trees, in the upper tiers of the forest. Large fruit bats are typical here (Megachiroptera)- flying dogs and flying foxes.
In a tropical forest, the higher the level, the more life there is.
The arboreal lifestyle is typical of many species of tropical forest animals. Because of this, animals predominate here. small size. Thus, various small monkeys - macaques and monkeys - live in trees, and large gorilla(up to 200 kilograms in weight) is terrestrial, while chimpanzees, which are of medium size, lead a terrestrial-arboreal lifestyle.
Of the three Brazilian anteaters, the pygmy anteater is the smallest (Cyclopes didactylus) leads an arboreal lifestyle, and the large anteater (Myrmecophaga jubata)- exclusively terrestrial animal. The average-sized anteater is the tamandua. (Tamandua tetradactyla) It moves awkwardly on the ground and along the branches and forages for food both here and there.
Everyone is familiar with the tree frog, the tree frog. (Hyla arborea), which, thanks to the suction cups on its fingers, feels confident both on the branches and on the smooth surface of the leaf. In the tropics, tree frogs are extremely widespread. But they are not the only ones who have suction cups on their fingers. They are also found in frogs of three other families: true frogs (Ranidae), copepods (Rhacophoridae) and whistlers (Leptodactylidae). The Indonesian tarsier also has suction toes. (Tarsius), arboreal porcupines and some bats from different parts light: from America (Thyroptera), Asia (Tylonycteris) and from Madagascar (Myzopoda). When moving along branches, the safest thing is to grasp the branch on both sides like pincers. Monkey hands and feet good, but not the best best device this type. It is better if half of the fingers wrap around the branch on one side, and the other fingers on the other side. This is exactly how the legs of the African snapping frog are designed. (Chiromantis), in some lizards and chameleons. Tree-climbing birds - woodpeckers, toucans, parrots and some cuckoos - have two toes turned forward and two back. Tenacious paws and suckers do not exhaust all possible adaptations to movement in trees. American sloth (Bradypus)- This is another fruit- and leaf-eating animal that lives in the crowns. Elongated, hook-shaped claws allow it to hang in the thickest branches without expending effort. Even when dead, the sloth does not fall to the ground, and its remains hang on the tree for a long time until the skeleton crumbles into separate bones. Parrots use their large curved beak to climb, clinging to tree branches like a claw.
Many animals use a spirally coiled tail for clinging. Chameleons, some lizards and mammals use such a “fifth paw”. American monkeys: howler monkeys (Alouatta), capuchins (Cebus), coats (Ateles), woolly monkeys (Lagothrix), as well as American tree porcupines (Erethizontidae) They make excellent use of their tail when climbing.
Another method of arboreal movement is used by Asian gibbons. (Hylobatidae). The animal, swinging strongly on one arm, flies forward and clings to another branch, then again swings pendulum-like and again flies to the next branch. These jumps sometimes reach 10–20 meters. With such movement, the legs do not work at all, and therefore the gibbons have short and weak ones. But the arms are very long and strong: after all, what longer arm, the stronger the scope. The palms themselves have undergone corresponding changes: thumb small and hardly used, and the remaining four fingers are unusually elongated. These fingers form something like a movable hook that can catch on a passing branch when jumping.
Tropical birds are poor flyers. Both parrots and toucans fly slowly, but are able to maneuver well in the complex interweaving of branches. Nowhere in the world are there so many gliding animals, a kind of “parachutists,” as in the tropical forest. There's a flying frog here (Rhacophorus), making multi-meter jumps, during which it soars with the help of huge membranes, a flying lizard (Draco volans), in which the protruding processes of the ribs are connected by skin that serves for hovering. Flying squirrels (Sciuridae), dormouse (Aliridae) and some other animals glide on skin stretched between their limbs. When jumping, the front legs are stretched far forward and to the sides, and the hind legs are stretched back, while the skin stretches, increasing the load-bearing surface. The flying cat also uses gliding flight (Cynocephalus ) - strange creature, from the order of woolly wings, or kaguans (Dermoptera), somewhat similar to a lemur and partly like insectivorous mammals tropical forests of Indochina, Indonesia and the Philippines.
In the dense vegetation of the tropical rain forest, orientation becomes a serious problem. Here, in front of a dense wall of trees, vines and other plants, vision is powerless. In the upper tiers of the forest it is difficult to see anything further than five meters away.
The sense of smell doesn't help much either. The air is still day and night. No wind penetrates the wilds or carries smells throughout the forest. However, the smell of decay and the heavy, intoxicating aroma of tropical flowers drowns out any other smell. In such conditions, hearing is most useful. Small groups of animals wandering in the treetops owe it only to hearing that they do not lose each other. Travelers often mention noisy flocks of parrots and monkeys. They are really very noisy, they constantly call to each other, like children picking berries and mushrooms in the forest. But all solitary animals are silent, silent and listening to see if the enemy is approaching. And the enemy silently circles around and listens for possible prey to rustle somewhere.
Due to the dense tree canopy, the ground is not visible from above; In addition, the earth does not heat up much, and no upward currents form in the air, so soaring birds of prey are not found in the tropical forest.
A huge number of animals inhabit the upper tiers of the tropical forest, but at the very “bottom” of it, on the ground, life is also in full swing. In addition to numerous invertebrates, ungulates, predators and large anthropoid monkeys live here. It is in vain to look here for large deer with spreading antlers: it would simply be difficult for them to move in the thicket. Tropical forest deer have small antlers, often not branched at all. Most antelopes are also small, about the size of a chamois or hare. An example is the pygmy antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus) height at the withers about 30 centimeters, antelopes of the genus Cephalophus, or red-chestnut, with light stripes and spots, the size of a chamois bushbuck antelope (Tragelaphus scriptus). Of the large ungulates, the bongo antelope lives in the African forest. (Boocercus eurycerus) red-chestnut color, with thin sparse vertical stripes and, of course, with small horns.
Or finally okapi Okapia johnstoni- a species first discovered only in 1901 and more or less studied twenty years later. For many years this animal has been a kind of symbol of the mysteries of Africa. This distant relative giraffes are approximately the size of a donkey, with a body higher in front than in the back, compressed laterally, with a red-chestnut body, and legs black with white stripes.
Please note: again red-chestnut color with white spots and stripes. This type protective painting It makes sense only in the depths of the forest, where against the reddish background of rotting vegetation, the sunlight breaking through the dense arch of the tropical forest lies in white spots and sliding highlights. All these are relative large animals lead the night hidden image life. If we meet two animals here at the same time, then it is either a couple or a mother and baby. Forest ungulates do not have a herd life. And this is understandable: in the forest nothing is visible even twenty steps away, and the herd loses its protective biological significance.
The elephant is the only animal that passes through the thickets, leaving behind a corridor cut through the living body of the forest. Where a herd of elephants feeds, a vast trampled space appears, like an arena under the arch of the crowns of untouched huge trees.
The Kaffir buffalo lives in the forests of Africa (Syncerus caffer), in Asia - gaur (Bibos gaurus). Both of these species readily use paths made by elephants.
The influence of the tropical forest also affected appearance elephants and buffalos. A subspecies of forest elephants, undoubtedly shorter than elephants living in the savannas, and the forest buffalo is not only smaller than the savanna buffalo, but its horns are disproportionately small.
Just as in the savannah lions are constantly followed by jackals, feeding on the remains of the lion's prey, in the tropical forest many animals accompany elephants. Different types of wild boars from the genus Hylochoerus And Potamochoerus perfectly adapted to life in the forest. Low, narrow, with a wedge-shaped forehead, with a powerful snout, they feel great in dense thickets. In places where elephants have knocked down trees or uprooted them, wild boars find edible roots and rhizomes, insect larvae, etc. When the elephants' feeding area is completely dug up by wild boars, herds of forest baboons appear on it. Among them are sphinx mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) with brightly colored muzzles and buttocks and smaller black-snouted mandrills (M. leucophaeus), which dig in the dug up ground in search of food.
A special group of great apes here are gorillas and chimpanzees. The former lead a terrestrial, the latter a terrestrial-arboreal lifestyle. They move easily in the rainforest, wandering in small groups and eating a variety of plant and animal foods.
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Rainforests- biomes are located approximately 10 degrees north and south of the equator. Biome is a biotic environment with homogeneous characteristics, which has its own special types plants, animals and climate. Tropical forests are divided into tropical rainforests and tropical dry deciduous forests (subtropics). They are widely distributed in Asia, Australia, Africa, South and Central America, Mexico and many islands Pacific Ocean. The temperature in these forests ranges from 20 °C to 35 °C, with no hot or cold seasons. A average humidity reaches 77% - 80%. The Amazon rainforest is the most famous of the various rainforests in the world. Wet and warm tropical forests are home to 80% of all animal and plant species on the planet. These forests in the world are called "the world's largest pharmacy" because more than a quarter of modern medicines are made from plants growing in these forests. Understory growth in the humid tropics is limited in many areas due to the lack of sunlight at ground level. This fact makes tropical forests passable for people and animals.
If the crowns of trees are destroyed or broken for some reason, it reaches the ground and then everything very quickly becomes overgrown with vines, bushes and small trees - this is how the jungle appears. They are also called “the lungs of the Earth,” since the humid climate promotes effective air filtration due to the condensation of moisture on microparticles of pollution, which has a generally beneficial effect on the atmosphere.
The struggle for existence in these forests led the vegetation to the point that the forest began to be divided into separate layers. These include:
Emerging or new layer: it is formed from tree crowns reaching 30 - 70 meters. They are dome-shaped, umbrella-shaped, which receive maximum sunlight when they reach high levels of the rainforest. The trees of this layer are home to large number animals and birds such as eagles, monkeys, bats and.
Upper tier: forms a dense "ceiling" of evergreen trees with broad leaves that grow close together. It is because of this layer that sunlight cannot penetrate into the lower levels and onto the ground. The growth of trees in this region is from 20 to 40 meters. This layer constitutes the main life support of the rainforest and is home to most tropical animals - leopards, jaguars and exotic birds.
Lower tier- undergrowth. It is located immediately below the upper tier and consists of tropical plants that grow up to 20 meters. There is little air movement in this layer and the humidity here is constantly high. Due to the lack of sunlight, this layer is constantly in the shade, and grasses, shrubs, trees and woody vines grow here.
And the last thing - forest floor. She barely gets any sunlight. It is unlikely that any vegetation can be found in this layer, but it is rich in microorganisms. This layer is rich in animals and insects. Giant anteaters, beetles, frogs, snakes, lizards and a variety of insects live on the forest floor.
How do animals and plants survive in such warm and humid climate, typical for these forests. Here are some examples of adaptation:
- Trees in tropical rainforests should not have thick bark to prevent moisture loss. Thus, they have a thin and smooth bark.
- These forests are characterized big amount precipitation and tree leaves, developed a “drip drain” to allow rainwater to drain quickly. These are grooves made from a waxy coating on the leaves.
- Tree leaves on more low levels wide, and at higher levels narrow, in order to transmit sunlight to lower levels.
- There are vines that climb tree trunks and reach the very top layers in search of...
- There are plants such as that grow directly on trees.
- Plants in lower layers tropical rainforests have spectacular blooms and attract insects for pollination as there is not much wind at these levels.
- Carnivorous Plants: Many tropical plants obtain their nutrition by eating animals and insects.
Other commercially important plants: cashew, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, cocoa, mango, bananas, papaya, peanuts, pineapple, nutmeg, sesame, sugarcane, tamarind, turmeric, vanilla are just a few of the many plants with which we have to encounter in everyday life and which grow precisely in tropical rainforests.
Among the most common ones we have indoor plants grow here: monstera, spathiphyllum, stromantha, ferns (dendrobium, cattleya, vanda, oncidium, phalaenopsis, paphiopedilum, etc.), anthurium, medinilla, acalypha, selaginella, pineapple, banana, bromeliad, vriesea, heliconia, arrowroot , gloriosa, gusmania, dipladenia, dieffenbachia, jacaranda, philodendron, zebrina, ixora, calathea, caladium, ctenantha, clerodendrum, episcia, koleria, codiaum, coconut, columnea, costus, crossandra, neoregelia, nepenthes, passionflower, pachystachys, plectranthus, polyscias , saintpaulia, sinningia, scindapsus, Robelin date, aeschynanthus. All of them need high air humidity in room conditions.
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The tropics occupy less than 2% earth's surface. Geographically climate zone goes along the equator. The limit of deviation from it in both directions is considered to be a latitude of 23.5 degrees. More than half of the planet's animals live in this belt.
This also applies to plants. But today in the spotlight rainforest animals. Let's start with the Amazon. The area covers 2,500,000 square kilometers.
These are the largest tropics of the planet and, in combination, its lungs, whose forests produce 20% of the oxygen in the atmosphere. There are 1,800 species of butterflies alone in the Amazon forests. There are 300 species of reptiles. Let's focus on unique ones that do not live in other areas of the planet.
river dolphin
In addition, they differ in color. The backs of the animals are gray-white, and the undersides are pinkish. The older the dolphin, the lighter its top. Only in captivity the endemic does not become snow-white.
Amazon dolphins live with humans for no more than 3 years. Puberty occurs at 5. So, zoologists did not expect any offspring in captivity and stopped torturing the animals. As you understand, there are no Amazonian endemics in any third-party dolphinarium in the world. In their homeland, by the way, they are called inia, or buto.
river dolphin or inia
Piranha trombetas
Trombetas is one of the tributaries of the Amazon. What animals are in the rainforest inspire terror? In the series of names, there will probably be . There are known cases when they gnawed people.
A lot of books have been written and films have been made on this topic. However, a new species of piranha prefers grass and algae to flesh. On diet food, fish can eat up to 4 kilograms. The Trambetas piranha reaches half a meter in length.
Trambetas piranha
Red-bearded (copper) jumper
It is included in interesting animals of the rainforest only 3 years ago. A new species of monkey was discovered in the Amazon jungle in 2014 during an expedition organized by the World Wildlife Fund.
In the “lungs of the planet” they found a 441-in new species. There is only one mammal among them - the red-bearded jumper. classified as broad-nosed. Presumably, there are no more than 250 jumpers in the world.
Animals are monogamous; once they form a pair, they do not cheat and live separately with their children. When the jumpers are happy with each other, they purr, which makes them stand out from other monkeys.
In the photo there is a copper jumper monkey
Possibly lost
In Latin, the name of the species is Alabates amissibilis. This is the smallest one. The species is on the verge of extinction. The difficulty of detecting it is also related to its size. Alabates are frogs the size of your pinky fingernail.
They are beige-brown with stripes on the sides. Despite their tiny size, frogs of this species are poisonous, so they are not suitable for French cuisine, even if not protective status.
The smallest frog Alabates amissibilis
Herbivorous dracula bat
Looks scary, but he's a vegetarian. Dracula is a flyer. On its muzzle there is a skin outgrowth called the nasal leaf. Combined with wide-set, slanted eyes, the growth creates an intimidating appearance.
We add large and pointed ears, compressed lips, bluish coloring, and bonyness. It turns out to be an image from nightmares. Actually, herbivorous devils are active at night. During the day, animals hide in the crowns of trees or caves.
Herbivorous bat Dracula
Fire Salamander
The name of the species, so far, generalized, refers to. It was their relative who was discovered in the tropics near the Amazon. The scientific name of the species is Cercosaura hophoides. The lizard has a red tail.
The body is dark with thin yellowish veins. Scientists have long suspected the existence of the species. A clutch of eggs of an unknown reptile was found on the lands of Colombia.
However, neither father nor mother could be found. Perhaps the one found in 2014 is the parent of the clutch. Zoologists suggest that Cercosaura hophoides is no more than a hundred years old.
Pictured is a fire salamander
Okapi
The population is also on the verge of extinction. This rare view giraffe. It was shown to Western zoologists by pygmies. This happened in 1900. However, this conversation is already about endemics African jungle, in particular, the forests of the Congo. Let's go under their canopy.
Externally, this giraffe resembles a horse with an elongated neck. Compared to the neck of an ordinary giraffe, it is, on the contrary, short. But okapi has a record-breaking language. The length of the organ allows you not only to reach the succulent foliage, but also to wash your eyes animals. Rainforest World Okapi also had a blue tongue.
As for the coat color, it is chocolate. Transverse white stripes are visible on the legs. In combination with dark brown, they are reminiscent of the colors of zebras.
Okapi are gentle parents. These animals living in the tropical forest, They love children dearly, do not take their eyes off them, and protect them to the last drop of blood. Considering the number of okapi, it is impossible to do otherwise. The species is listed in the Red Book and each cub is worth its weight in gold. Several giraffes are not born. One pregnancy - one child.
Tetra Congo
This is a fish of the characin family. There are almost 1700 species. Congo is found only in the basin of the river of the same name. The fish has a bright blue-orange coloring. It is expressed in males. Females are “dressed” more modestly.
The fins of the species resemble the finest lace. The Congo reaches 8.5 centimeters in length and is peaceful. Description ideal for aquarium fish. The endemic is indeed kept at home. Congos love dark soil. One fish needs about 5 liters of soft water.
Tetra Congo fish
Bales shrew
Belongs to the shrews, lives in the east. The range is 500 square kilometers. The animal's burrows are not found throughout their entire length, but only in 5 localities. All of them are destroyed by man.
The animal has a cone-shaped nose, an elongated body, a bare tail, and gray short fur. In general, for most, yes a mouse. The problem of its survival is that without food the animal does not last longer than 11 hours. In conditions of danger and hunger, the latter wins. While the shrew catches the insect, others catch it.
Bales shrew mouse
African marabou
Refers to storks. The bird was nicknamed adjutant for its peculiar gait. He is ranked among the most large birds. This refers to flying species. African grows up to 1.5 meters.
The weight of the animal is about 10 kilograms. A bare head lightens the figure a little. The absence of feathers reveals wrinkled skin with a massive outgrowth on the neck, where the bird, when sitting, puts its equally massive beak.
Appearance, as they say, is not for everyone. It is not for nothing that the animal is made the hero of many phantasmagoric books, where the bird inspires, at a minimum, awe. As an example, let’s take “Nightmares of the Marabou Stork” by Irvine Welsh.
Now, let's move on to the Asian tropics. They are also filled with rare animals. The names of some of them are familiar at first glance. On the island of Sumatra, for example, they are proud. The fact that it is unusual is indicated by the prefix to the name of the beast.
Pictured is an African marabou
bearded pig
The animal looks like a cross between a wild boar and an anteater. The elongated nose, reminiscent of a trunk, helps to reach leaves, pick fruits and fish fallen fruits from the forest canopy.
Swims great while spearfishing also uses the nose. Its main function is also appropriate. The sense of smell helps to find mating partners and recognize danger.
Tapirs are known for their long periods of bearing their young. They give birth approximately 13 months after conception. More than one offspring is not born. At the same time, the lifespan of tapirs is a maximum of 30 years.
It becomes clear why the species is dying out. Despite their protected status, tapirs are desirable prey... for,. Deforestation is also decimating the population.
Panda
Not a single list can do without it." names of rainforest animals" Endemic to China, it lives in bamboo groves and is a symbol of the country. In the West they learned about it only in the 19th century.
Zoologists in Europe argued for a long time whether to classify them as raccoons or bears. Genetic tests helped. The animal is recognized as a bear. He leads a secretive lifestyle in three provinces of the PRC. These are Tibet, Sichuan, Gansu.
Pandas have 6 toes on their paws. One of them is just appearance. It is actually a modified carpal bone. Number of teeth grinding plant foods, is also off the charts.
A person has 7 times less. That is, pandas have more than 200 teeth. They are active about 12 hours a day. Only 1/5 of the leaves eaten are absorbed. Considering that pandas do not hibernate, the only thing that saves the rainforests is fast growth bamboo a couple of meters per day and the small number of bears themselves.
Let's complete the journey. Its tropical zone is also affected. The continent is deserted. Tropical forests grow only along the coasts. Their East End included in World Heritage UNESCO. Let's find out what these wonders are for.
Helmeted cassowary
This is a bird of the ostrich order and does not fly. The name of the species is Indonesian, translated as “horned head”. The skin growth on it resembles a comb, but is flesh-colored. There is also a semblance of earrings under the beak. They are scarlet, but thinner and more elongated than those of a rooster. The feathers on the neck are indigo, and the main color is blue-black.
Colorful appearance combined with power. There have been recorded cases where a person was killed with a kick. It is because of cassowaries that a number of Australian parks are closed to the public.
Birds are not aggressive normal conditions. Protective reflexes make themselves known. The impact force is predictable with a weight of 60 kilos and a height of one and a half meters. The legs are the strongest part of cassowaries, like other ostriches.
Helmeted cassowary
Wallaby
The second name of the species is woody. At first glance it looks more like a bear. Thick, dense fur covers the entire body. The bag is not immediately noticeable. The cub, by the way, can linger indefinitely.
During periods of danger they are able to postpone childbirth. Physiologically, they should pass a maximum of one year after conception. It happens that a child dies before his time. Then, a new embryo comes to replace it, the first to become stillborn, without obliging it to take care of itself.
Scientists pin their hopes on tree kangaroos to save humanity. The stomach of the endemic is capable of processing methane. In the event of global warming, this will come in handy not only for wallabies, but also for people.
They also puzzle over the thermoregulation of tree kangaroos. The species manages to maintain a comfortable body temperature in hot weather. Not a single individual has yet died from overheating, even without shade and plenty of drink.
Tree wallabies are called tree wallabies due to their lifestyle. Observations of animals have shown that most of them die on the same plant where they were born. Hunters found wallabies here.
The hunt for the endemic was announced because of a legend that the beast once attacked a child. This has not been documented, however, the population is in danger.
The animal's protective status helped stop the extermination. To save humanity, a few tens of thousands of individuals are not enough. Therefore, first they will save and multiply them.
Tree kangaroo wallaby
Koala
Without her, just like in Asia without the panda, the list would be incomplete. - symbol of Australia. The animal belongs to wombats. These are marsupials with two incisors. Colonizers of the continent mistook koalas for bears. As a result, the scientific name of the species, phascolarctos, is translated from Greek as “bear with a bag.”
Like bamboo-dependent pandas, koalas only eat eucalyptus. Animals reach 68 centimeters in height and 13 kilograms of mass. The remains of a koala ancestor have been found that was almost 30 times larger.
Like modern wombats, the ancients had two thumbs on each paw. Fingers positioned to the side help to grasp and strip branches.
Studying the ancestors of koalas, scientists came to the conclusion that the species is degrading. The head of modern individuals contains 40% cerebrospinal fluid. At the same time, the weight of the brain does not exceed 0.2% of the total mass of marsupials.
The organ doesn't even fill the cranium. This is exactly what happened to the ancestors of koalas. Zoologists believe that the reason is the choice of a low-calorie diet. Although, many animals that are distinguished by their intelligence feed on leaves.
I remember the beginning of the article, where it is said that the tropics are less than 2% of the earth's surface. It seems like little, but so much life. Likewise, koalas, although they are not distinguished by intelligence, inspire entire nations.
And, who knows, in the presence of animals about their mental abilities It’s better not to speak, in case you offend. Koalas are blind, and therefore have excellent hearing.
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Tropical forests are forests that grow in tropical and subtropical regions. Tropical forests cover about six percent of the Earth's land surface. There are two main types of tropical forests: tropical rainforests (such as those in the Amazon or Congo Basin) and tropical dry forests (such as those in southern Mexico, the plains of Bolivia and western regions Madagascar).
Tropical forests typically have four distinct layers that define the structure of the forest. The tiers include the forest floor, understory, canopy (forest canopy), and overstory. The forest floor, the darkest place in the rainforest, receives little sunlight. The undergrowth is the layer of forest between the ground and up to a height of about 20 meters. It includes shrubs, herbs, small trees and trunks of large trees. Forest canopy - represents a canopy of tree crowns at a height of 20 to 40 meters. This tier consists of binding crowns tall trees which are home to many tropical forest animals. Most food resources in the rainforest are found in the upper canopy. The upper layer of the tropical forest includes the crowns of the tallest trees. This tier is located at an altitude of about 40-70 meters.
Main Characteristics of the Rainforest
The following are the main characteristics of tropical forests:
- tropical forests are located in the tropical and subtropical regions of the planet;
- rich species diversity flora and fauna;
- falls out here a large number of precipitation;
- tropical forests are under threat from logging for timber, agriculture and livestock grazing;
- The structure of a tropical forest consists of four layers (forest floor, understory, canopy, overstory).
Classification of tropical forests
- Tropical rainforests, or tropical rain forests- forest habitats that receive heavy rainfall throughout the year (usually more than 200 cm per year). Rainforests are located close to the equator and receive sufficient quantity sunlight to maintain average annual temperature enough air high level(between 20° and 35° C). Tropical rainforests are among the most species-rich habitats on Earth. They grow in three main areas around the world: Central and South America, West and Central Africa and South-East Asia. Of all the tropical rainforest regions, South America is the largest in the world: it covers about 6 million square kilometers.
- Tropical dry forests are forests that receive less rainfall than tropical rain forests. Dry forests typically have a dry season and a rainy season. Although rainfall is sufficient to support adequate vegetation growth, trees must be able to withstand long periods of drought. Many species of trees that grow in tropical dry forests are deciduous and shed their leaves during the dry season. This allows trees to reduce their water needs during the dry season.
Rainforest Animals
Examples of several animals that inhabit tropical forests:
- (Panthera onca) is a large representative of the cat family that lives in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Jaguar the only kind panthers living in the new world.
- The capybara, or capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is a semi-aquatic mammal that inhabits the forests and savannas of South America. Capybaras are the largest representative of the order of rodents living today.
- Howler monkeys (Aloautta) are a genus of monkeys that includes fifteen species inhabiting tropical forests throughout Central and South America.
You can find out more information about the animals of the Amazon rain forest in the article "".
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The rainforest is a very special forest. In such a forest it is always very humid and warm. Trees and various other plants grow very densely in it, often intertwining with each other. This makes the rainforest almost impossible to navigate. And due to the fact that there are so many plants and they all strive to get through to the sun, it is always twilight in the tropical forest.
On our planet, tropical forests occupy a very small area - only about 7% of the land. Central American rainforests Madagascar rainforests Congo River rainforests Southeast Asian rainforests Where are the rainforests? Australian rainforests Eurasia Australia Africa North America South America Amazon rainforests
Why is the air always humid in the tropical forest? Because in tropical forests it rains very often, almost every day. About 2 meters of rain falls there per year. That's almost 4 cm per week. And in some forests, 4 meters of rain per year is not uncommon. Do you want to compare with the amount of rain we have? Get a straight-sided jar and place it in your backyard in a shady but open area. In a week we'll see how much water collects in it. In addition, in tropical forests there is almost no soil - and there is nowhere for water to soak. Therefore, almost all of it remains on the surface. And since the air is quite warm, the water evaporates. The soil layer in a tropical forest is only about 10 cm. You can dig a hole that deep very quickly. But here, in order to get to a place where it becomes impossible to dig deeper, you need to dig a very, very deep hole. You see in this photo the roots of the trees lie right on the stones.
How hot is it in the rainforest? The temperature in the tropical forest is the same all year round - about degrees. This is the same amount as we usually have in the summer, in July-August. There is never frost in the tropical forest, but the temperature does not rise above 27 degrees.
How do they live in tropical forests? Living in the rainforest is not easy, but both animals and plants have adapted well. A real tropical forest resembles a multi-story building. Because plants grow in it different heights- from terrestrial and aquatic to tall and slender trees, then animals have the opportunity to choose which tier they prefer to live on. And it so happened that certain types animals prefer certain tiers. True, in search of food, they often wander from one level to another. Different types of plants also prefer to live at different levels - some settle on the trunks of other trees, some prefer to live on the ground, and some even in the water.
The cover level is the upper part of most medium-sized trees (about meters in height). This level is full of life - insects, spiders, many birds and some mammals prefer this level. The litter is the habitat of a wide variety of animals - insects, snakes, spiders and the habitat of a huge number of plants. This is also where the largest animals usually live. The outer level is the tops of the tallest trees, significantly higher in height than the rest of the trees. Such trees can reach 60 m in height. This real paradise for birds. The understory is a dark, cool place under the canopy of trees, but above the ground. This is an area of growing trees. And how many floors are there in a tropical forest?
More than half are found in tropical forests known to people animals, birds, insects, spiders and plants. And each new expedition finds more and more new species. Who lives in tropical forests? Since tropical forests are scattered throughout the globe and on all continents except Antarctica, each of these forests is home to very special and unique animals.
But grass can be found in clearings and forest edges where it grows as tall as your dad. What plants live in the tropical forest? But, unlike grass, ferns are very fond of tropical forests and willingly live there, reaching enormous sizes. Unlike our forest, the tropical forest has almost no grass at all. Carpets of moss and lichen spread underfoot. In addition, the ground is covered with a thick layer of broken branches, fallen leaves and fallen trees.
And what unusual and amazing plants are there in the tropical forest? In the forests of South America you can see giant water lilies. An adult can easily ride on such a water lily. There you can also find bromeliads, the same ones that grow in our home. Only ours grows in a pot, and this one grows in the forest.
Among the plants of the tropical forest, vines occupy a special place. Lianas do not have their own strong trunk; they grow by clinging to other plants - either twisting around them, or attaching themselves with special roots. Lianas can weave around a tree so tightly that they can even strangle it and the tree will die.
How do animals manage to hide in the rainforest? The rainforest is filled with a wide variety of animals, many of which are predators. Animals had to adapt to remain invisible. Most animals have mastered the art of camouflage. This caterpillar, a tropical silkworm, masquerades as a snake. The eyes on her back aren't actually eyes at all, but just a design to distract enemies.
People and the Rainforest In some rainforests live tribes who know no other life than life in a forest full of dangers. They have adapted well and have all the necessary knowledge - they know how to avoid encounters with predators, they know what plants can be eaten, how to hunt properly. These kids don't have a TV to watch cartoons, don't have a computer, don't have the toys you have, and most likely they'll never have the opportunity to go to a real school. But they know how to make their own toys, how to drive a boat and fish. They will be able to find jaguar tracks in the grass and distinguish poisonous snake from non-poisonous.
Why are tropical forests needed? Tropical forests are very necessary for our planet. Despite the fact that they do not take up too much space, the plants growing in them absorb carbon dioxide and provide oxygen most our Earth. As you already know, tropical forests are home to a huge number of different inhabitants of the Earth. If the tropical forests disappear, then all these living creatures will lose their home and simply die out, just as the dinosaurs went extinct in their time. Tropical forests, due to their ruggedness, keep many different secrets from people. And when there are secrets that have not yet been discovered by anyone, life in the world is much more interesting. And suddenly, you will one day be lucky enough to discover an animal similar to Cheburashka in the depths of the tropical forest. This will be great! In the meantime, people need to keep their forests safe and sound.