Rain Forest Layers

There are four layers of leaves within a rain forest. The tallest is called the emergent layer. Only a few of the trees emerge from the forest to tower above the rest. These trees are exposed to harsh sun and strong winds. They are mostly hardwoods like teak and mahogany, with waxy leaves. Eagles, monkeys, flying insects, insect-eating snakes, and bats live up here.

The next layer is the canopy. The canopy is made up of plants with large leathery leaves that block 80% of the sunlight. There is a warm, humid habitat here with abundant fruits, nuts and leaves. Monkeys, sloths, tree frogs, the margay cat, ants, beetles, bats, toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, snakes and lizards live here. Many never touch the forest floor in their lifetime.

The next layer is called the understory. These plants receive little light. Many of these plants love shade and continue to grow, but some will shoot up taller when a canopy tree falls and will take its place in the canopy when the opportunity presents itself. Some of our popular house plants live in this layer and provide homes for butterflies, termites, toads, frogs, snakes, lizards, beetles and parakeets.

The rain forest floor receives only scattered rays of light. There are few flowering plants here, but edible roots and tubers abound. Tapirs, armadillos, peccaries, slugs, centipedes, cockroaches, termites, beetles, and many decomposers live here where they devour a dead leaf in a matter of weeks.

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