Hobbies And Interests
Monkeys
Most rainforest monkeys found in Southeast Asia and South America are adapted to living in trees and tend to have fruit-heavy diets. These include extremely large orangutans and gibbons of Southeast Asia. The howler monkey, the loudest and largest of the new world monkeys, as well as the spider monkey, and the golden tamarin are found in the Amazon region of South America. Gorillas and chimpanzees make up the largest primates living in the rainforests of West Africa.
Cats and Other Mammals
Tigers of Southeast Asia and jaguars of South America are the largest of rainforest-dwelling cats. Other large mammals of the rainforests include the manatee, the tapir with a proboscis similar to an elephant's trunk, the giant river otter in Amazon--which can grow up to six feet long and is the largest of the otter family, and the giant anteater. The capybara also exists in the Amazon and holds the record as the world's largest rodent, noted for its webbed feet and absence of tail. Hippopotamuses of West Africa also hold the top-spot as one of the rainforests' largest mammals.
Reptiles and Amphibians
The anaconda is the largest snake in the world and can only be found along the Amazon, which is also home to large caimans, boas and various species of iguanas. Large species of lizard found in the rainforests of Australia include the frilled lizard, so named for the large frill encircling its head. The Australian rainforests are also home to large amphibians, including the giant tree frog.
Birds
Cassowary, the largest bird in the world, together with the kookaburra and the cockatoo, can only be found in the rainforests of Australia. Large birds of the South American rainforests include harpy eagles and brightly colored parrots, macaws and toucans.