BRAZILIAN RAINFOREST
Rio de Janeiro
By: Sarah O'Leary 7-6
Poisonous Dart Frog
This red and blue Frog is one of the many rare species found in the rain forest. It's a poison arrow dart - frog! Poison-arrow frogs are social frogs found in Central and South America. They are known by their bright colors, which warn other animals that they are poisonous. Its poison is one of the most powerful known and can cause paralysis or death. It is so potent that one millionth of an ounce can kill a dog and an amount smaller than a grain of salt can kill a human. One frog carries enough poison to kill about 100 people. Native hunters use it on the tips of their arrows, which is how the frog got its name. Poison-arrow frogs are beautiful to look at. Their colors vary from red to yellow to blue. The enemies they encounter are large animals (including humans) who may step on them. Though poison-arrow frogs carry a deadly poison, they are usually harmless if left alone.
Toucan
The Toucan is on of the many tropical birds found in the rainforest, Brazil is known for their beautiful wildlife especially their exotic birds. Toucans are found in South and Central America in the canopy layer of the rainforest. When they sleep, they turn their heads around and tuck their bills under their wings and tail. The toucan is very important to the rainforest because they help to disperse seeds from the fruits and berries they eat. A toucan's bill is sharp and has saw-like edges. The bill is used to squash the many kinds of fruit and berries he eats. He may also use the saw-like edges to tear off parts of larger fruits. Also included in their diet are small birds and lizards.
Anaconda
The Anaconda is one of the largest snakes in the world! This type of Snake can swallow a crocodile whole, this is because it is able to open its mouth really wide and fit the animal it wants to eat inside. Also the Anaconda can live on land and in the water, sometimes to sneak up on a crocodile it hides in the mud until the right moment and attacks by biting the prey so its injured and cant escape only then will the predator swallow their large catch!