rainforest layers

​The emergent layer is the top of the rainforest. Huge trees, up to 200 feet tall, make up this uppermost portion of the forest. Sunlight is abundant in this layer. Flying animals, such as eagles and butterflies, as well as lightweight animals, like the Goliath bird-eating spider and some snakes, are some of the animals found here.

​Below the emergent layer is the canopy, the thick layer of vegetation that blocks most of the sunlight from reaching the forest floor. It forms a roof over the bottom two levels.








 Food is plentiful in this section, so many animals can be found here, including tree frogs, emperor tamarins, and sloths. 

​Below the canopy is the understory: a hot, humid environment made up of shrubs, young trees, and vines. There isn't much sunlight here, so the
leaves on plants are bigger to help them get
as much light as they can. Jungle frogs
and many insects can be found,
including bees, ants, and beetles. 

The forest floor is the darkest of all rainforest layers, making it extremely difficult for plants to grow. Leaves that fall to the forest floor decay quickly. Decomposers, such as termites, slugs, scorpions, worms, and fungi, thrive on the forest floor.