The rain forest is made up of several different layers. The canopy is the main layer in the jungle, extending more than a hundred feet vertically.
Unlike many other forests, the canopy of the jungle has leaves that are extremely smooth. This allows rainwater to flow quickly, which prevents the buildup of moss and other contaminants.
In dense canopies found in the rain forest, animal life can adapt to live entirely in the top layer of the trees. The diverse areas of the canopy allow a wide variety of animals to thrive.
Because the canopy is so dense, many additional plants are able to grow on and around the large trees comprising the top layer. These additional plants are called "epiphytes," and include orchids and ferns.
The top layer of the canopy is filled with leaves that are extremely efficient at collecting the energy from sunlight. This results in a leaf density that blocks sunlight from reaching the jungle floor.
