Hobbies And Interests
Piranhas
Piranhas are one of the most famous rainforest animals due to their reputation as fearsome killers. However, most species of piranhas are not aggressive, although they are all meat eaters. Piranhas live in schools and will eat alive any animal down to the bone in a few minutes. They live in rivers, lakes and streams throughout the Amazon basin. They can reach lengths of two feet as adults, and their teeth are so sharp they are used as tools by jungle inhabitants.
Poison Dart Frogs
Poison dart frogs are colorful but deadly amphibians living in the rainforests of Central and South America. Their bright colors are meant to warn off predators. They are one of the most poisonous animals on Earth. One frog the size of a paper clip contains enough poison to kill 10 men or 20,000 mice.
Golden Lion Tamarins
Golden lion tamarins are small monkeys that live in the forests of Brazil. They get their name from their long deep reddish golden fur and and mane. Golden lion tamarins are about eight inches high and weigh about a pound as adults. They live in small troops, and feed on insects, fruit, lizards and small birds. Like all New World monkeys, they have a prehensile tail, which allows them to swing effortlessly through the trees.
African Forest Elephants
Scientists have only recently discovered that the African forest elephant and the African elephant of the savannas are two distinct species. They generally reach only nine feet tall as adults and also have smaller tusks to allow them to move among the trees in the rainforest of Central Africa. African forest elephants are endangered due to poaching for their ivory tusks, which are harder than African elephants, and to habitat loss.
Chlamydosaurus
Despite its name and appearance, the chlamydosaurus not a modern-day dinosaur. It is a small lizard that inhabits the trees of Australia and New Guinea. It also is known as the frilled lizard, because it can frill out skin around its head to make it appear larger. The frill can reach widths of 14 inches, while the chlamydosaurus itself is only about eight inches long.
Ocelot
Ocelots are small wild cats, about twice as big as the average housecat, that live in the rainforests of the Amazon basin. They are nocturnal and prey on smaller jungle animals. Unlike most species of cats, ocelots enjoy water and are good swimmers. Ocelots used to be hunted for their beautiful fur but now their primary threat is habitat loss
Sloths
Sloths are nocturnal mammals that live their entire lives in the trees of the South American rainforests. Sloths are slow movers --- their average climbing speed is about 480 feet per hour and average ground speed is 53 feet per hour. Moss actually grows on their fur. However, their long arms make them good swimmers . Sloths spend most of their time hanging upside down, even giving birth to their young in that position. There are two different types of sloths, two-toed and three-toed.
Gorillas
Gorillas are the largest primates and, despite their theatrical reputation, are peaceful, gentle animals unless they are threatened. Gorillas are seriously endangered. As few as 700 mountain gorillas remain in their native habitat of central Africa. The smaller western lowlands gorilla is more populous but still endangered. Gorillas live in troops dominated by an older male, known as the silverback due to the color of fur on his back. Their diet consists of fruits, grass, tree bark and plant roots.
King Cobras
King cobras are large snakes found in the rainforests of southeast Asia. They can reach lengths of 18 feet and weigh up to 20 pounds. King cobras kill their prey with venom from their teeth. Baby king cobras have venom just as lethal as adults. When threatened, the king cobra can form a hood around its face, making it appear larger.
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Butterfly
The Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly lives only in a lowland coastal rainforest on the island of New Guinea. It is the rarest and also the largest butterfly on Earth, with a wingspan of up to one foot. Female Queen Alexandra's birdwings are brown with an off-white body. and are larger than males, which are more colorful, with blue and green wings and a yellow body. This butterfly also is poisonous, to protect it from predators.