Plants And Animals of the Amazon Rainforest
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/5/5/40550873/3529153.jpg?250)
Jaguars are an apex predator (species with no natural predators) measuring from 5 feet long to 8 1/2 feet long, and weighing 90-300 pounds, this jungle cat is both the largest, and most dangerous wild cat of the western hemisphere. Although they are endangered (due largely in part to human activities) they prey on almost any animal, ranging from armadillo's, fish, and turtles, to wild pigs and many small rodents. Male and female jaguars only live together for the period in which the female is pregnant, jaguars have a pregnation period of 95-110 days and will then give birth to 1-4 babies, usually weighing under 2 pounds each at birth. Jaguars survival so far is largely in part to their stealth, and the camouflage of their spots protecting them from humans and allowing them to sneak up on prey. An incredible species such as the jaguar is truly one of the most dangerous species in the world.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/5/5/40550873/3110283_orig.jpg)
Toucans are birds that can be many combinations of colors, ranging from vibrant blues and greens, to reds and browns. The largest species of toucan, the toco toucan measures approximately 25 inches long, while the smallest toucans, the aracaris only reach about 12-14 inches long. Toucans eat many different species such as baby birds, frogs, large insects and lizards. These beautiful birds typically live in flocks, nesting inside of hollow trees. When toucans mate, approximately once per year, they lay 1-5 eggs, which hatch after about 15 days. We do not know if these unique birds are endangered, mainly due to their large territories but it is safe to say that if we do not stop destroying the rainforests, every species which reside inside will become endangered quickly, and soon become extinct.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/5/5/40550873/2607324.jpg?250)
Caimans are large reptiles, with close relations to alligators. Caimans live in wet areas around fresh water such as streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. The black caiman grows to about 20 feet long, and is the only caiman that poses a real threat to humans, due in part to its size. The other caiman species only grow to be about 6-8 feet long. Caimans take more care of their young than most reptiles do, caring for them for a year after they hatch and guarding their eggs before they hatch. This dangerous species feed on several different invertabrates including crabs, insects and snails, and as they grow they begin to feed on larger species such as birds, fish, mammals, and other reptiles. These phenomenal species are endangered, but as they are a protected species their size is starting to grow back. This species is not yet at its end.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/5/5/40550873/5284280_orig.jpg)
Anacondas are the among the biggest reptiles in the world and kill their victims with power rather than with venom like many other snakes do. Growing up to 30 feet long, and weighing up to 450 pounds, these snakes can prey on near anything they wish, and can even kill crocodiles. These fantastic animals are incredibly strong and capable of eating and digesting any animal they can find. Anacondas bear live young, and often reside in or near waters such as rivers. Although they are not poisonous these snakes can inflict terrible bites if cornered, their multiple teeth doing terrible damage. Anacondas may not be particularly large in number, but they are not an endangered species.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/5/5/40550873/8624459.jpg?250)
Strangler Fig is an often-used name for many tropical and subtropical plants. All which start as small seeds, dropped by animals into holes or branches on trees, where the seed takes root, and grows downwards to envelope the tree, at the same time reaching up to the sky to get nutrients from the sun. The Host tree can die from this process, sometimes making the strangler fig become a columnar tree with a hollow core.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/5/5/40550873/264372_orig.jpg)
The pitcher plant is the name of flora (plant life) which have pitcher shaped leaves that function as traps for insects, although pitcher plants are found in areas with little soil nitrogen, it is known that they make up for the necessary nitrogen by getting it from insects. Pitcher plants have an open top to allow rainwater to fall in, where the plant mixes the water with sugar to create a sweet smelling liquid, attracting insects which then get trapped when they crawl into the plant, as it has bristles in the mouth pointing in and down, forming a trap.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/5/5/40550873/5966815_orig.jpg)
Bromeliads are related to pineapple families, thick waxy leaves form a container for catching rain water, some bromeliads can hold several gallons of water and are ecosystems themselves, with tadpoles, salamanders, snails, beetles, and mosquito larvae making their lives here.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/5/5/40550873/1284028_orig.jpg)
An Epiphyte, also known as an air plant, is a plant that lives on a separate plant, but makes its own food, by sending roots in the ground and using them to obtain moisture and chemicals for growth. Air plants take most of the materials they need from the air or decaying plants, these are non parasitic plants, but may harm the host if they grow so much that they deprive the host of air and light. Many air plants may also find homes on stones, buildings, or timbers, and do not require trees to survive.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/5/5/40550873/2419864_orig.jpg)
Bamboo is a giant grass known for the usefulness of its wooden stems. Bamboo is related to wheats oats and other grains, but not like those crops, these are of giant proportionsThere are over 700 species of bamboo, most of which are grown in tropical forests or warmer temperate regions. Bamboo can grow extremely quickly, at a rate of up to 36 inches in 24 hours.