Rain Forest Layers

Emergent Layer (90 - 120 ft.)

    A few giant trees grow as tall as a 15-story building. This layer gets lots of hot sun, wind, and rain.  Harpy eagles and morpho butterflies live here.

Canopy Layer (60 - 90 ft.)

    The canopy forms a thick roof over the rain forest layers below.  This roof is made of lots of leafy green trees.  Many animals live here, like sloths, monkeys, bats, and birds.

Understory Layer (30 - 60 ft.)

Forest Floor Layer (0 - 30 ft.)

    Small plants, like mosses and ferns, grow here.  The ground is covered with rotting trees and leaves.  This layer gets very little sunlight.  The forest floor is home to poison dart frogs, caimans,
giant armadillos, and more.

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