DECIDUOUS FOREST

1. Spring ephemerals- are a certain type of plant that literally times its growth to you guessed it
the spring. By focusing growth on this short period, these flowers take advantage of the warmer
weathers and moisture of spring, while still accessing the light from a sparser tree canopy.
2. Orchids- have adapted over the years to reach light in different ways when the canopy is full in
the summer months. Some of these plants are able to use others to reach out of the way light,
and others have adaptations that allow them to collect light as it moves across the floor.
3. Cardinals- Changes in habits caused by humans have made more areas available to the cardinal
and made it easier for it to survive in colder climates. Cardinals tend to live at the edge of
woodlands and in the vegetation near houses and gardens.
4. Pileated woodpecker- The pileated woodpecker lives in coniferous and deciduous forests.
Although the pileated woodpecker is adapted to clinging to the sides of trees, it is a strong flyer
and it will even sometimes hop around on the ground. The pileated woodpecker "drums" on
hollow trees with its bill to claim territory.
5. European Red Squirrel- lives in the European Deciduous Forest. The red squirrel prefers to live in
the forest but in some places they live in gardens and parks. To keep safe, the squirrel climbs to
the end of a branch. Since the branch can't hold much weight, the predator leaves. In the
autumn, squirrels bury seeds and nuts. In the winter if these supplies run out, the squirrel may
die.
6. Coyote- Coyotes can live almost anywhere. They will stay together only as long as they need
each other. Coyotes are very intelligent. They have a terrific sense of smell which they use to
locate prey. Their hearing is very sharp too. They use their ears to tell other coyotes how they
feel and what rank they are in the pack.
7. White-tailed deer- The fur of the white-tailed deer is a grayish color in the winter then more red
comes out during the summer. They graze on green plants in the summer and nuts and acorns
during the winter. During the winter white-tailed deer will form herds to keep warm. The whitetailed deer has protective coloring, or camouflage, that allows it to hide in the undergrowth.
When they are disturbed they make a snorting sound and stamp their hooves to alert other deer
to danger.
8. Duckbill Platypus- The duckbill platypus lives in the deciduous forests of Australia. The platypus
uses many things to survive in its environment such as webbed feet and a flat tail used to swim.
Thick fur keeps them dry and warm. Their tails store fat for energy, and broad nails help them
for digging and walking. Their bill has electroreceptors which are used to find its prey. Venom
can be injected into a predator and is strong enough to cause a lot of pain in a human, and could
kill a dog. Scientists think it is used for fighting other males for females.
9. Eastern Chipmunk- Chipmunks live in forests and edges of forests. Although people think
chipmunks hibernate, they don't go into deep hibernation. They actually move around during
warmer weather. They live on the food they have brought into their burrows. Most chipmunks
come out of their hibernation in March. Chipmunks are valuable forest creatures because they
move seeds around and store them underground. Some of these seeds sprout and become new
trees.
10. Fat Dormouse- The fat dormouse is at home in European deciduous or mixed forests. The
dormouse mates in June, after waking from hibernation. The fat dormouse got its name by
eating a lot before going into hibernation. As autumn approaches the dormouse eats more to

have fat and energy for hibernation. By the end of summer, their weight is nearly doubled. At
this time the fat dormice will dig a tunnel about 2-3 feet long and 6-24 inches deep. Here they
spend the winter safe from frost. Some dormice have been found hibernating in hay lofts or
under logs.

RAINFOREST
1. Green Anaconda- Green anacondas are the worlds heaviest type of snake. Anacondas are cold
blooded animals (as are all reptiles). This means that, unlike humans, whose bodies can control
their own temperatures, anacondas rely on the sun to warm them up.
2. Iguana- Iguanas live in the canopy layer of the rainforest. Green iguanas vary in color, from pink
to black, often depending on where they come from. Their color allows them to blend in to their
environment, protecting them from predation. Iguanas have a special third eye on the top of
their heads. This eye, called a parietal eye, doesnt see images like normal eyes, instead, it
senses lightness / darkness, and movement. Iguanas use this third eye to detect predators.
3. Jaguars- Jaguars are solitary creatures, each living in its own area, called a territory. Jaguars
protect their territories from other jaguars. jaguars are mainly forest creatures, and prefer the
dense rainforests of South America. They are also found in wetlands and grasslands. Jaguars
dispatch their prey with a strong bite to the neck that suffocates the animal. Jaguars can also
use their strong jaws to crush the skulls of smaller prey animals, killing the prey instantly.
4. Orangutan- Orangutans also walk along the ground of the forest to find food. If they dont find
anything on the ground, they swing from branch to branch in the forest trees looking for fruit.
Orangutans are members of the great ape family. They are found in the rainforests of Borneo
and Sumatra. The name orangutan means man of the forest in local languages. Orangutans are
endangered, mainly due to deforestation.
5. Sloth- Sloths are slow-moving mammals that live in the rainforests of South and Central
America. Sloths are the slowest moving mammals on Earth. The sloths long, shaggy hair is home
to many small plants and bugs. This is due to the sloths slow speed and the warm, damp
rainforest environment. The algae and other small plants in a sloths fur often give the animal a
green colour. This is actually beneficial to the sloth, as it provides camouflage. Sloths have the
lowest body temperature of any mammal, and cant shiver to keep warm.
6. Harpy Eagle- Harpy eagles live in the rainforests of Central and South America. Harpy eagles
usually inhabit the canopy layer of tropical lowland rainforests. Harpy eagles store food that
they are unable to eat, and are able to eat meat that is slightly rancid. After a big meal, harpy
eagles can go several days without food.
7. Vampire Vat- Vampire bats live in colonies, forming roosts in dark places which are warm and
humid such as caves, hollow trees and old buildings. Vampire bats use heat sensors in their nose
to detect a site where the blood is close to the surface, then pierce the animals skin with their
teeth and peel away a small flap. Their saliva contains a substance which stops the blood
clotting, allowing them to lap at the blood. The bats feed for about 30 minutes and drink so
much blood they can barely fly. They mark the animal with urine and will often return to the
same animal on several consecutive nights.
8. Jesus Lizard- This reptile is not really bizarre in terms of performing miracles, but is called Jesus
Lizard for being able to run on water! Catholic explorers found it similar to the Gospel story of

Jesus who walked on the waters of the Sea of Galilee. When fleeing from predators, it can
literally run on the surface of water such as a pond or stream at a speed of 5 miles per hour, and
for up to a distance of 20 meters. This common basilisk can do this incredible stunt with its toes
that possess a special webbing, allowing it to stand upon its two hind feet.
9. Poison Dart Frog- The poison dart frog, contrary to its name, may not be deadly at all, as only 3
species are actually lethal, of which the golden poison arrow frog is the most dangerous. Set
aside this possibility, they look vibrant and attractive arriving in a myriad of colors including the
aforementioned gold, yellow, red, copper, green, black or blue which they utilize in a tactic to
ward off predators called aposematic coloration.
10. Peanut Head Bug- Also known as the lantern fly, flying snake, alligator bug, or snake cicada,
among many other names, the peanut head bug is deemed a mysterious creation. Weird as it
looks, this insect has a head that closely resembles an unshelled peanut! It has an enlarged head
with a bulbous protuberance popping on it, which even scientists are uncertain of what it does.
They believe that it can possibly mimic a lizard's head to pave the way towards escaping
predators. It's wings are unique in a way that the spots appear like an owl's eyes. Some myths
say that it's bite can be deadly depending on the mood of these wings. Truth is, the peanut head
bug would be apparently defenseless in itself and is simply a harmless plant-hopper.