Page 107 - One Million Things: Animal Life - The Incredible Visual Guide

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EMERGENT LAYER
The tallest trees, which can reach up to
200 ft (60 m) or more in height, protrude above
the rest of the rain forest to form the emergent
layer. Here the treetops are in full sunlight, but
are also sometimes exposed to strong winds and
torrential rain. The emergent layer is home to
monkeys, bats, butterflies, and birds of prey.

Wingspan of the
harpy eagle can CANOPY LAYER
reach 6 ft (2 m) This is where most animals and the greatest
variety of species are found. The canopy consists
4 of a dense “roof” formed by the leaves and
branches of tall trees, 50–130 ft (15–40 m) above
the forest floor. Food is so abundant here that
few animals need to venture to the forest floor.
Animals that live here include monkeys, birds,
lizards, and tree frogs, but also incredible numbers
8 11 of insects, many yet to be identified and named.

9 10
UNDERSTORY
Little light penetrates this layer, which extends
12 downward from the canopy to the forest floor. Its
many shade-loving shrubs and small trees often
have large leaves to capture scarce light.
Birds, snakes, lizards, and insects are
among the animals found here. Some
predators, including jaguars, climb into
the understory from the forest floor.

FOREST FLOOR
It is dark, hot, and humid here,
and there are few ground-
covering plants. Ants, beetles,
and a multitude of other small
creatures feed on leaves, fruits,
and dead animals that have
fallen from the canopy,
releasing nutrients that are
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recycled for tree growth.
Animals that feed on
these recyclers are,
in turn, hunted by
larger predators.

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