Hobbies And Interests
Invertebrates
By far the largest group of animals existing in the rain forest, insects fly high in the treetops, buzz around or crawl inside tree trunks and branches, linger in low-lying vegetation and burrow underground. Occupying the treetops and points below are butterflies such as the monarch; the blue morpho; the poisonous Goliath birdwing; and the world's largest butterfly species, called Queen Alexandra's birdwing. Other invertebrates calling the rain forest home include many species of ants, assassin bugs, dragonflies, moths, spiders, snails, beetles, termites and ticks.
Birds
About 2,500 different kinds of birds live in the rain forest. Predatory raptors such as eagles, hawks, vultures and kites build their nests in the tops of the tallest trees. More at home in the canopy of the rain forest -- the high branches and lower treetops -- are exotic birds such as parrots, toucans, cuckoos, owls, hummingbirds, birds of paradise and bowerbirds. Poor fliers such as the brightly colored but endangered quetzal, the human-sized cassowary and the flightless kagu also live in the rain forest.
Reptiles
Lizards and snakes of all sizes thrive in the warm, moist rain forest environment. Snakes, which may drape over branches, slither along the floor or swim in the water, include anacondas, boa constrictors, pythons, adders, vipers, coral snakes, cobras and harmless small tree snakes. Some four-legged rain forest reptiles include turtles and tortoises, crocodiles, alligators, caimans, geckos, iguanas, frilled lizards and tegu lizards.
Fish and Amphibians
At least 200 different breeds of fruit- and seed-eating fish swim in the Amazon River, which traverses the Amazon rain forest. These include brightly colored tropical fish, carnivorous piranha and the yard-long tambaqui. Also at home in the rain forest are water- and land-loving amphibians such as the poison-dart frog, the giant marine toad and the red-eyed tree frog.
Mammals
Many species of bats, including the legendary vampire bat and one called the flying fox, occupy the canopy and treetops. Prowling the forest floor are predatory cats such as jaguars, ocelots, servals, leopards and tigers. Rodents dwelling in the rain forest include the capybara as well as species of rats, paca, anteaters and squirrels. Other mammals calling the rain forest home include sloths, peccaries, a type of raccoon called kinkajous, deer, porcupines and opossums. About 90 percent of the world's primate species are represented in the rain forest. These include gorillas, chimpanzees, monkeys, gibbons, orangutans, siamangs, lemurs, tamarins -- and human beings.