The Texas Horned Lizard
Animals of the rainforest
LO: 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 rainforest
Most of you will be able to identify some adaptations that would
allow species to cope with these issues
Some 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.
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
HOATZIN
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
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.
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.
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
SPIDER
MONKEY
JAGUAR
HOWLER
MONKEY
AYE AYE
Adapting to the environment…
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…
Large fin on back of
fish to help swim in
the right direction
Large tail to help
propel fish
through the water
Gills so that the
fish can breathe
under water
Big eyes to
see all
around,
under water
Animals of the rainforest
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.
Anteater (vested)
Huge paws with
claws allow it
to open nests.
Lives in the canopy
and on the ground.
Long tail helps to
climb trees and
balance.
Long Sticky tongue to get ants or
termites out of their nests.
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
Large horn for
defensive
purposes.
Very hard
protective shell.
Very loud hissing to
frighten off predators.
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
After 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!
Your Task
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.