About Rain Forest Mammals

Rain forests, the Earth's oldest ecosystem, are home to numerous plants and mammals. The planet's rain forests can be found in Africa, Asia, Australia and Central and South America, with the Amazon rain forest being the largest. Many rain forest mammals are nearly extinct because of hunting, deforestation or disease. This is true for the Tasmanian devil, jaguar, African elephant and the orangutan. All are fighting for the survival of their species.

  1. Tasmanian Devil

    • Tasmanian devils eat all of their prey including the organs, hair and bones.

      The Tasmanian devil is making a comeback after facing extinction because of an infectious disease. As the world's largest carnivorous marsupial, Tasmanian devils spiral into a fit of rage when threatened by predators or fighting for a mate or food. They prey on small creatures such as birds, snakes and fish. They're intelligent and strong, weighing up to 26 pounds and growing to 30 inches in length. Devils sleep during the day alone in caves or burrows and emerge at night to feed. According to National Geographic, Tasmanian devils can only be found on the island state of Tasmania. They live up to five years in the wild.

    Jaguar

    • The name jaguar comes from the American Indian word "yaguar" that means "he who kills with one leap."

      Jaguars are an endangered species that once roamed from the southern part of South America to the United States/Mexico border. According to National Geographic, it's now the largest big cat in secluded areas of South and Central America, especially in the Amazon basin. Jaguars live alone. They can climb trees and swim, making them powerful hunters of fish, alligator, deer or capybaras. Jaguars weigh between 100 and 250 pounds. Their bodies are 5 to 6 feet long while their tails are between 27 and 36 inches long. Their lifespan is 12 to 15 years in the wild.

    African Elephant

    • The African elephant's trunk contains about 100,000 different muscles

      African elephants are still hunted for their ivory tusks, making them an endangered species. This herbivore lives in the rain forests of central and west Africa. It is the largest land animal on the planet, measuring 8 to 13 feet tall and weighing between 5,000 and 14,000 pounds. They eat massive amounts of plant life such as bark, grass, roots and fruit. Elephants don't need much sleep, so they spend most of their time eating. According to National Geographic, they can eat up to 300 pounds of food daily. The males like to be on their own, while the females live in herds with their young. African elephants can live up to 70 years.

    Orangutan

    • The Malay word orangutan means "person of the forest."

      Orangutans are very intelligent mammals. These primates spend most of their lifetime in trees, rarely ever touching the ground. An orangutan can stretch its arms nearly seven feet, making it an excellent tree dweller. Their diet consists of mostly fruit, leaves, insects and sometimes meat. Their standing height is about 5 feet and they weigh between 70 and 180 pounds. Orangutans live in Sumatra and Borneo but they're nearly extinct because of hunting, illegal pet trade and loss of habitat due to deforestation. Orangutans can live between 30 and 40 years.