The Texas Horned Lizard

Animals of the rainforestLO: To identify adaptations that animals in the rainforest have and use them to create your own rainforest creature

All of you will be able to describe some of the difficulties/ dangers facing animals in the rainforestMost of you will be able to identify some adaptations that would allow species to cope with these issuesSome of you will be able to design an adapted animal and justify your design choices.

This bird loves eating nuts and fruit and has a large strong beak to help it get into these. It sleeps in holes in the trees and to fit it turns itself into a feathery ball. TOUCAN

These creatures climb trees and cut small pieces of leaves. They carry them back to their nest and bury them. This helps a fungus to grow which is the only food they eat.

LEAF CUTTER ANT

This poor creature defends itself by giving off a foul smell to scare away potential predators.HOATZIN

This animal is not only cleverly camouflaged with green algae that lives in its fur, it also moves so slowly that predators on the ground don’t spot it

3 TOED SLOTH

This animal has a flexible neck and very long tongue to help it eat from branches up to 3m off the ground. It has excellent hearing so can escape quickly if anything is approaching. OKAPI

This creature is very brightly coloured so easily spotted by potential predators but the colour is a warning as it is also very poisonous so can kill anything that comes close

CORAL SNAKE

These primates almost never come down to the ground. They have strong, long limbs and a prehensile tail which can also grab onto branches. This makes it prefect for swinging through the trees

SPIDER MONKEY

These animals are quick on their feet as well as being excellent swimmers. They have strong jaws and sharp teeth which help them kill and eat their prey. They are also excellent climbers and can spend months in the canopy when the forest is flooded.

JAGUAR

These are the loudest land animals. Their distinctive call helps them scare off any other animals entering their territory and helps call their own packs together.

HOWLER MONKEY

This endangered animal is nocturnal and has very large eyes to help it see in the dark. It eats tree grubs and gets to them by gnawing tree bark away with its teeth before inserting one of its very long fingers and grabbing the grubs

AYE AYE

Gills so that the fish can breathe under water

Large fin on back of fish to help swim in the right direction

Big eyes to see all around, under water

Large tail to help propel fish through the water

Everybody adapts to their environment. For example, when you go on holiday (to a hot country) you may get a sun tan – this is actually protection against sun damage (something that your skin is not used to in the UK)

Look at how this GOLDFISH has adapted to its environment…

Adapting to the environment…

There are a variety of different animals that live in the rainforest. Each and every one of them has adapted to their environment. Different layers of the rainforest offer different environments for the animals to live. The next slides show what they are like, and how they have adapted to their environment.

Animals of the rainforest

Long Sticky tongue to get ants or termites out of their nests. Lives in the

canopy and on the ground.

Huge paws with claws allow it to open nests.

Long tail helps to climb trees and balance.

Anteater (vested)

Central American Squirrel Monkey

Huge tails for balance in the canopy where

they live.

Paws are like hands to eat fruit and nuts, and to help grip trees.

Squirrel monkeys leap through the

trees so have short, strong thighs to give them more

power when they jump.

Rhinoceros Beetle

Very hard protective shell.

Very loud hissing to frighten off predators.

Large horn for defensive purposes.

Poison dart frog

They spit out poison as a defence.

Suction pads on the toes help to cling to

trees and leaves when climbing.

Bright colour is used to warn off

predators.

1. Why do animals in the rainforest need to adapt? Give your answer using examples of the adaptations.

camouflage, defence, attack, attraction, hunting, collecting

food, transport, communication

Your TaskAfter looking at all of those animals of the rainforest, its your turn to design your OWN animal that could survive in the rainforest.HOWEVER, you MUST be able to say WHY you have designed your animal in such a way. For instance, if you have put a fish like tail on your animal, you must be able to say why!Add labels to your design (in detail) and remember to give it a name! It can be as weird and wacky as you like!

Things to think about:

•What is your animal called?

•Which layer of the rainforest does your animal live in?

•What does your animal like to eat?

•Who likes to eat your animal?!

•Is your animal at risk from people?

•How has your animal adapted to rainforest conditions?

•What does your animal look like?

Level 4

You have designed an animal that is suited to the rainforest ecosystem. You have added detailed annotations and started to suggest reasons for the animal’s adapted features.

Level 5 (as Level 4 +)

You have added detailed annotations explaining how your animal has adapted to its environment. You have used some key geographical terminology.

Level 6 (as Level 5 +)

You have added detailed annotations explaining how and why your animal has adapted to its environment. You have created unique features for your animal to survive in the specific conditions of its habitat. You have used a wide range of appropriate terminology.

Level 7 (as Level 6 +)

You have justified you choices explaining why e.g. your animal is adapted to be defensive and camouflage rather than to attack. You have linked your animals adaptations to the rainforest layer it lives in. You have used a wide range of appropriate terminology.