The Botanical Society of America describes the pitcher plant as a carnivorous plant that lives in rainforest regions all over the world from Asia to North America, where there are more than 10 species. Broadly known as "Sarracenia," the pitcher plant is so nicknamed because of its resemblance to a partially filled water pitcher. In the rainforest, these plants can sprout up to 30 feet and the pitchers are nearly a foot long. The pitcher plant traps flies and other small insects by luring them in with the smell of the decaying prey inside. When a fly enters the "pitcher," its wings get covered in moisture from the plant, making it impossible to escape.
Because the rainforest is densely populated by plants, many varieties have adapted to grow wherever they can find better access to light. According to the Botanical Society of America, epiphytes, sometimes known as "air plants," grow above the surface of the earth, using other plants, tree branches or whatever is available for support. Since they cannot access soil, epiphytes must collect water from dew, rain and the air. Much like plants in the desert, epiphytes can go through dormant periods when water is scarce.
The strangler fig, as described by the Botanical Society of America, has a different way to ensure it receives enough light. Birds and animals eat the fig fruit and deposit the seeds high up in the rainforest canopy. The seed sprouts into a type of epiphyte that begins growing down toward the rainforest floor. As it grows larger, it wraps itself around the host tree. Eventually, it completely covers the host tree and kills it, taking over its valuable access to light. These fig trees are hollow in the center where the host tree once stood.
One of the animals that eats the fig plants is the sloth. The sloth is an incredibly slow-moving mammal that lives in the canopy of the rainforest. There are two varieties, two-toed and three-toed. Because sloths are awkward on the ground, and thus vulnerable to predators, they may stay in the same tree for many years. Sloths are mostly nocturnal and sleep between 15 and 20 hours a day. They feed on a diet of twigs, leaves and fruit.
Sharing the canopy with the sloth is the spider monkey. Reaching heights of two feet, these monkeys are some of the largest in the world. Spider monkeys are incredibly social and hang around in large groups of 20 to 30 monkeys. Unlike most monkeys, they have no thumb. They make up for their missing digit, though; spider monkeys can hang upside down using only their tails. They spend most of their time in the trees, away from predators, eating fruit and seeds. Mothers only give birth every three to five years. According to the World Wildlife Fund, due to hunting, spider monkeys are nearly extinct.
The jaguar is a large cat found almost exclusively in South American rainforests. They are easily identified by their light-colored coats that are covered in black spots. Jaguars are powerful predators that can weigh up to 250 pounds. They perch in trees and quietly await targets below, frequently killing prey in one leap. In addition, jaguars are excellent swimmers and feed on water-dwelling prey including turtles, fish and snakes. The World Wildlife Fund reports that jaguars were also widely hunted and are now considered threatened.
