Tropical rainforests are very wet places, they are close to the equator and get lots of sunlight. The temperatures are almost always high and this makes them an ideal place for trees to grow. Rainforest trees are very different from trees of the temperate forests. In the rainforest, trees grow to gigantic sizes. They are supported by strong buttresses at the base of the trunk that help to stabilize them in the shallow forest soils. Plants and vines grow on the tree trunks and provide food for herbivorous animals.
A mature lowland tropical forest consists of several layers. The Emergents layer consists of giant trees that are much higher than the average height of the trees in the next layer, the canopy. This layer is the home to many birds and insects. The next layer is the Canopy. This layer is the most beautiful and breath taking layer of the rainforest. It is home to many more animals than the Emergents layer. The animals include birds, insects, reptiles and mammals. Most of the flowers and the fruits bloom in the canopy, attracting a variety of creatures, including monkeys, bats and birds. The Understory, located below the Canopy, is formed by smaller plants. The dark and cool environment has so little light that the plant growth is limited. Reptiles mostly live here but there are some mammals and insects. Last is the Forest Floor that receives very little sunlight. On the forest floor, it is hot, dark and humid. Ferns, succulents and fungi grow on the forest floor. Usually the largest animals and varied insects live on the Forest Floor.
Tree Buttresses!