Let’s have a look at some of the amazing wildlife found in forests!
Forests are home to a wide variety of plants and animals. These often grow nowhere else in the world. Here are some examples of the biodiversity found in forests!
Flora
Tropical pitcher plant: These tropical vines grow in the shape of pitchers and are found in Southeast Asia and Australia. Unlike most plants, they are carnivorous – they literally EAT insects! The plants have a smell that they use to attract insects. When the insect lands, it slips inside and the plant uses it for food to help it grow.
Giant rafflesia: Known for having an unpleasant smell, the giant rafflesia grows in rainforests in Asia. It produces the largest individual flower on Earth!
Sausage tree: These unusual-looking trees grow in rainforests in Africa. At first, flowers grow on these trees. The flowers contain nectar which bats eat during the night, which are eventually replaced by fruits that look like big sausages! Sadly, you can’t use them for your next hot dog…
Fauna
Pangolins: These animals live in the rainforests of Africa. They have large scales which cover their whole skin. This has earned them the name “scaly anteater” as ants are one of their favourite foods.
Poison dart frogs: These tiny but deadly creatures live in Central and South America. They are brightly coloured, but don’t be fooled – they contain enough poison to kill anything that eats them! They got their name because hunters used their poison on darts.
