Tropical Rainforest Animals
There are a lot of different animals that can be found in the tropical rainforest. You will find various different types of amphibians, arthropods, birds, mammals, reptiles and aquatic animals. These animals are mostly found in the rainforest because it is the environment in which they are able to get everything that they need. Lets take a closer look at some of these animals, and you may be surprised to find out just how many unique species you can find in the tropical rainforest.
Poison Dart Frog
The poison dart frog is found mainly in South America, but can also be found in certain parts of Central America. It eats termites, flies, ants and crickets. It can lay eggs in the water and reproduce in just about 12 days.
Red Eyed Tree Frog
The red eyed tree frog is actually found in Central America, but it can also be found in the northern parts of South America. It is carnivorous, and it usually eats insects like crickets, but sometimes will eat other types of frogs. They are found in the lowland rainforests, and like to stay near the streams and ponds.
Blue Morpho Butterfly
The Blue Morpho butterfly is found in Central and South America, and can also be found in some parts of Mexico. It usually eats fruit that has started to rot or ferment. They live up high in the canopy of the tropical rainforest, and they also grow to be about 5-6 inches wide. They are beautiful.
Leafcutter Ant
The leafcutter ant is found in the Southern United States, but can also be found in parts of Central and South America. They will usually eat leaves, grass and other plant matter- including fungus. They are found in nests in the rainforest and are mostly in the tropical environments.
Queen Alexandras Birdwing Butterfly
The Queen Alexandras Birdwing butterfly is found in the tropical rainforests of New Guinea. They eat a toxic plant known as the Aristolochia schelcteri. This is actually the plant in which these butterflies hatch. They also can feed on the liquid nectar that is found in various types of flowers in the rainforest. They will usually get to be very big, even up to 12 inches in width.
Great Hornbill
The Great Hornbill can be found in certain parts of Asia, and they will usually eat insects, lizards, fruits and sometimes small mammals. They are birds that help to garden the rainforest and help to ensure that the plants are spread throughout the environment so that they can continue to grow and flourish.
Harpy Eagle
The Harpy Eagle is an eagle that is found in the rainforests in Central and South America. They eat sloths and several other types of small mammals. They are found in the large areas of rainforest that have clearings, because it is easier for them to stalk their prey.
Toucan
Toucans are generally found in tropical and sub-tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Toucans can grow to be about 33 – 65 centimeters in height and live in holes of hollow trees. They normally eat small fruits and rarely insects.
Bengal Tiger
Bengal tigers can also be found in the rainforest. They eat mainly antelopes, monkeys, and sometimes even elephants. They like to stalk their prey in the rainforest, and they get to be very large- up to 600 pounds or more!
Other Mammals that you may find in the tropical rainforests may include:
- Capybara
- Common Chimpanzee
- Gorilla
- Jaguar
- Lar Gibbon
- Lemur
- Okapi
- Orangutan
- Siamang
- Spider Monkey
Some of the reptiles that you find in the tropical rainforest include:
- Anaconda
- Black Caiman
- Boa Constrictor
- Gaboon Viper
- Reticulated Python
You will find the following aquatic animals in the rainforest as well:
- Manatee
- Piranha
Piranha
Piranha are found in rivers and streams of rainforest of South America. Piranha generally eat smaller fish and can reach up to 1 ft in length. They reproduce by laying groups of eggs in rivers and lakes.
Anaconda
The Anaconda is mostly found in Amazon river basin but can also be found in other parts of South America. Anacondas can reach over 37 feet in length. They swim in rivers and lakes of South America and live near the water. Anaconda generally live on rodents, fish, birds, caiman, turtles and even larger mammals.
Gorilla
Gorillas live in the tropical forests of West Central Africa. They mostly eat leaves, fruit and bark. Gorillas live in the forests and mountains of Central Africa, sometimes at very high altitudes.
Jaguar
Jaguar aka Panthera is found in Central and South America. Jaguars can be found in rainforests, deserts and grasslands. They eat variety of animals including turtles, deer and reptiles.
Python
Python are generally found near water including ponds or lakes. The length of Python can range from 15-25 feet making it the longest snake and reptile in the world.
There really are a lot of different species found in the rainforests of central and South America. It is really important for you to understand that the majority of these species are not found in other parts of the world, which is why it is so important that we are able to preserve the natural rainforests in the world. If we don’t, then many of these species will actually become extinct- and that is never a good thing.
As you can see, most of these animals can be found in your local zoological parks, but in the wild you just don’t see them around your local town. It is because they don’t belong there naturally. When they are taken out of their natural habitat, you have to be careful to ensure that they get everything that they need- which is why they need specialized zoologists to care for them when they have been taken from the wild.