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Rainforests are found across the world— from tropical America to Australia and from Africa to Asia. But each rainforest is slightly different to all the others, with different species of animals and plants living there.

Rainforests grow near the equator—an invisible line around the middle

of the world

Rainforest trees can grow to over

60m tall.

Rainforests are very important. They are home to thousands of plants and animals, and many people rely on them for food and medicine.

G Guida

E Wells

Rainforests are hot, wet places. At the equa-tor, there is a lot of sunshine, so it is very warm, but it also rains a great deal. The heat and the water make it a great place for trees and other plants to grow.

Rainforest trees are so tall, that as you move up from the

floor to the tops of the branches, the condi-tions change—it gets lighter and less wet. This means there are lots of different places for animals to live. The canopy (the tops of the trees) is a

great place for fruit-eating animals like

bats, insects monkeys and birds to live, while the

forest floor is home to other animals like frogs, snakes and

even elephants.

Many rainforests around the world are being burnt or cut down by people. Without our help, the plants and animals could become extinct.