Anyone who grew up in the United States probably had to endure more
than a few classes dedicated to the rainforests and protecting them. For
that reason, you may be sick of hearing about them. But, get over it!
The rainforests are amazing, and the Amazon is perhaps the most amazing
of them all. Why is that? Well, it’s simple. There are things that
you’ll encounter in the Amazon that you won’t encounter anywhere else in
the world. What’s more is that there are things about this rainforest
that you may have never learned, and once you know them, you may never
look at the world the same way again. So, what are these amazing
animals, plants, and facts? Let’s take a look.
www.factzoo.com
1. The Jesus Lizard
No, we’re not talking about that band your hipster buddy in the thrash rock band enjoys, although we are talking about the animal from which that band derives its name. If you look at the picture above, we bet that you can figure out why these creatures have come to be known as Jesus lizards. That’s right! It is possible for these reptiles to literally walk (or, more accurately, run) on water. Although, they eventually have to swim… But, it’s cool while it lasts, right?
No, we’re not talking about that band your hipster buddy in the thrash rock band enjoys, although we are talking about the animal from which that band derives its name. If you look at the picture above, we bet that you can figure out why these creatures have come to be known as Jesus lizards. That’s right! It is possible for these reptiles to literally walk (or, more accurately, run) on water. Although, they eventually have to swim… But, it’s cool while it lasts, right?
www.mongabay.com
2. Hello, Darkness My Old Friend
In the lushest parts of the Amazon, the canopy is really thick. And, by really thick, we mean REALLY THICK. In fact, the canopy in these places can actually succeed in blocking out 99% of sunlight, leading to a very dark jungle floor where all kinds of interesting animals and plants thrive. This sun-blocking effect (which is, in truth, an absorbing effect) is perhaps the most important role the Amazon and other rainforests play in regulating the Earth’s temperature.
In the lushest parts of the Amazon, the canopy is really thick. And, by really thick, we mean REALLY THICK. In fact, the canopy in these places can actually succeed in blocking out 99% of sunlight, leading to a very dark jungle floor where all kinds of interesting animals and plants thrive. This sun-blocking effect (which is, in truth, an absorbing effect) is perhaps the most important role the Amazon and other rainforests play in regulating the Earth’s temperature.
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5. Dynamite Trees
Like we mentioned, the Amazon is home to a variety of strange plants an animals. One of the strangest may be the dynamite tree, which is also known as a sandbox tree. What makes it so strange? In order for these trees to spread their seeds, they bear fruit. Now, instead of dropping to the forest floor when it becomes ripe, the fruit actually explodes, which sends seeds hurtling as far away as 150 feet.
Like we mentioned, the Amazon is home to a variety of strange plants an animals. One of the strangest may be the dynamite tree, which is also known as a sandbox tree. What makes it so strange? In order for these trees to spread their seeds, they bear fruit. Now, instead of dropping to the forest floor when it becomes ripe, the fruit actually explodes, which sends seeds hurtling as far away as 150 feet.
www.livescience.com
3. Sun Halos
Sometimes it’s not what’s actually going on in the Amazon; it’s what going on high up above it. The northern hemisphere may have its northern lights, but the Amazon has something known as sun halos. These rainbows, which form around the sun, are the result of sunlight interacting with the ice crystals floating around high up in the atmosphere. You won’t always see them when you’re down there, but you just might!
Sometimes it’s not what’s actually going on in the Amazon; it’s what going on high up above it. The northern hemisphere may have its northern lights, but the Amazon has something known as sun halos. These rainbows, which form around the sun, are the result of sunlight interacting with the ice crystals floating around high up in the atmosphere. You won’t always see them when you’re down there, but you just might!
www.frogsaregreen.com
6. Glass Frogs
If you spend enough time in the Amazon, you’re sure to so a diversity of frogs like you never imagined. Some of them are colorful, some camouflaged, and some are even incredibly poisonous. The coolest of them all, however, may be the glass frog, which has completely translucent skin, allowing you to look directly at its internal organs. Seriously, look at that thing up above, how cool is that?
If you spend enough time in the Amazon, you’re sure to so a diversity of frogs like you never imagined. Some of them are colorful, some camouflaged, and some are even incredibly poisonous. The coolest of them all, however, may be the glass frog, which has completely translucent skin, allowing you to look directly at its internal organs. Seriously, look at that thing up above, how cool is that?
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