Rainforest Layers
This is the highest layer of the rainforest, where the tallest trees grow and eagles, monkeys, and butterflies live.
What is the emergent layer?
This bird, known for its bright beak, helps spread seeds by eating fruit and dropping the seeds as it flies.
What is a toucan?
Not all rainforests are the same! This type of rainforest is warm and humid all year, while another type has milder temperatures and fewer tree species.
What are tropical and temperate rainforests?
Many trees are cut down to make space for farms, buildings, and roads in a process called this.
What is deforestation?
A) Canopy
B) Understory
C) Desert
D) Emergent Layer
What is C) Desert?
(A desert is not a rainforest layer.)
Most of the rainforest’s animals, like sloths and toucans, live in this leafy, middle layer.
What is the canopy?
This rainforest monkey, known for its long tail and quick movements, swings through the trees in search of fruit and seeds.
What is a spider monkey?
Rainforest plants release this gas, which humans and animals need to breathe.
What is oxygen?
Farmers sometimes clear rainforest land by setting fires to remove trees and make room for crops in a process called this.
What is slash-and-burn farming?
Rainforest Animals
​A) JaguarWhat is C) Penguin?
(Penguins live in cold climates, not rainforests.)
Jaguars, snakes, and insects hide in this shadowy layer beneath the canopy.
What is the understory?
This tiny, colorful rainforest creature warns predators not to eat it with its bright skin.
What is a poison dart frog?
Many of the foods we eat come from the rainforest, including chocolate, bananas, coffee, and this popular nut from Brazil.
What is the Brazil nut?
The people who have lived in the rainforest for centuries are losing their land because of disease and deforestation.
Who are Indigenous rainforest tribes?
What is C) Thick Fur?
(Thick fur is an adaptation for cold environments, while the others help animals survive in the rainforest.)
This layer is home to decomposers like fungi and insects, and large animals like tapirs and anteaters.
What is the forest floor?
This large, spotted rainforest predator is the only big cat found in South America.
What is a jaguar?
Trees absorb this gas, which is a major cause of global warming.
What is carbon dioxide?
Some governments allow companies to cut down large areas of rainforest trees for this valuable resource, which is sold and used to make paper, furniture, and buildings.
What is timber (or logging)?
What is C) Reforestation?
(Reforestation helps forests grow back, while the others harm the rainforest.)
Each rainforest layer is home to different animals. Match the animal to where it lives:
A) Harpy Eagle
B) Red-Eyed Tree Frog
C) Sloth
D) Jaguar
What is:
A) Emergent Layer (Harpy Eagle)
B) Understory (Red-Eyed Tree Frog)
C) Canopy (Sloth)
D) Forest Floor (Jaguar)
This reptile uses its ability to change colors to blend into its surroundings.
What is a chameleon?
Losing rainforest plants means less oxygen, less medicine, and fewer homes for animals. What is this problem called?
What is deforestation?
When trees are removed, animals lose _____, making it harder for them to find food and shelter.
What is their habitat?
What is D) Coal?
(Coal is a fossil fuel, not a rainforest product.)