Layers of the Rainforest

• Lesson Up
• Special Education

Layers of the Rainforest

What is one thing you know about rainforests?

We are going to look at the layers of the rainforest.

The rainforest is made up of four different layers:

the emergent layer

the canopy layer

the understory layer   &

the forest floor layer.

The EMERGENT layer

is the top layer of the rainforest.

Not many animals live in the EMERGENT layer.  

It is hot, wet and windy here.

Hummingbirds, macaws, butterflies and bird-eating tarantulas are some of the animals that can be found here.  

Under the emergent layer is the CANOPY layer.

The CANOPY layer is home to most of the animals and plants in the rainforest.

The CANOPY layer has plenty of food and shelter.

Sloths, toucans and tree frogs are some of the animals that live her.

The UNDERSTORY layer is the next one down,

 after the canopy.

It is inhabited by creatures such as jaguars, snakes, and insects.  They like the lower light here and find lots of plants to eat and find shelter in.

 The FOREST FLOOR is at the bottom

 of the rainforest.

It is dark, humid, and hot. Only 5% of the sunlight makes it to the FOREST FLOOR.

Anteaters, armadillos and scorpions are some of the animals that live in the FOREST FLOOR layer.

Emergent Layer                                              Forest Floor

                                   Drag the animals 

                                   to where they live.

What is the top layer of the rainforest called?

1. the urgent layer
2. the emergency layer
3. the emergent layer
4. the high layer

What is the bottom layer of the rainforest called?

1. The forest patio
2. The forest floor
3. The forest carpet
4. The forest ground

How many layers are there in the rainforest?

1. 2
2. 6
3. 10
4. 4

What have you found out about the layers of the rainforest?