8 Interesting Facts About Amazon Rainforest for Kids (2024 Updated)
The Amazon rainforest is home to thousands of plant, animal, bird, and insect species, and is one of the most biodiverse and interesting places on this planet. It plays a hugely important role in the way natural life on this planet functions, and it is hugely important that we protect the nature contained within this forest.
In this article, we’re going to look more closely at some fun and interesting facts about the Amazon rainforest, so let’s dive right in!
8 Interesting Facts About the Amazon Rainforest
1. There is a species of manatee that is found only in the Amazon rainforest.
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and is home to thousands of different creatures, one of which is the Amazonian manatee. This manatee is the smallest member of its family, and is the only one that lives in freshwater, as opposed to other members that live in saltwater bodies. The Amazonian manatee is also a herbivore, eating plants found in the water, as well as fruits that sometimes drop from the trees above. It’s also sad to note that the number of Amazonian manatees is decreasing.
2. Deforestation is one of the Amazon rainforest’s biggest threats.
Based on data collected in 2022, around 26% of this rainforest has been deforested. There are several reasons for this, the main one being cattle ranching in the Brazilian portion of the Amazon. Cattle ranching in Brazil accounts for nearly 80% of the deforestation that occurs in the area, and around 14% of deforestation globally! Additionally, growing soybeans, drilling crude oil, building roads, and cutting trees to obtain logs of wood are also what causes deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
3. There are over 1,000 species of birds that live in the Amazon rainforest.
One of the most amazing features of the Amazonian rainforest is the number of creatures that live inside it. Among these creatures are the 1,500 species of birds! Did you know that these birds make up around a third of the total bird species in the world? Some of the species that you can find in the Amazonian rainforest include Scarlet Macaws, Toucans, Harpy Eagles, Laughing Falcons, and Plain-throated antwren.
4. There are four layers to the Amazon rainforest.
Did you know that the Amazon rainforest has four separate and distinct layers? Each layer has an ecosystem of its own, much like all rainforests. The topmost layer is called the emergent layer, and is typically dominated by the trees. In the Amazon forest, the emergent layer consists of Brazil nut and kapok trees. The second layer is called the canopy layer and consists of a thick and dense network made of branches and leaves.
This layer blocks the sunlight, rain, and wind. The third and fourth layers are called the understory and forest floor layers, respectively. The understory is humid and home to many flowering plants, animals, and even some birds. The forest floor is at the bottom of the rainforest and is the place where decomposition occurs. Organic waste from the trees typically falls to the floor and turns into nutritious matter that helps the trees grow.
5. The Amazon rainforest is home to the world’s largest snake.
The green anaconda is the largest snake species in the world, and it can be found in the Amazon rainforest. These huge snakes can grow up to 30 feet long and weigh over 200 kilos. It’s interesting to note that although the green anaconda is not a venomous snake, its immense strength is what gives it its power. Their strong and muscular bodies help them crush their prey instantly, making them one of the most feared predators in the forest. Pythons are also found in amazon Rainforest.
6. You can find pink dolphins in the Amazon rainforest!
Although pink dolphins might sound like something out of a storybook, these rare-sounding fish do exist! These dolphins are referred to as Amazon river dolphins. The reason that they are pink in color is because of how thin their skin is. Since their skin is so thin, their blood vessels are more clearly visible, and that is why they are commonly referred to as pink dolphins. It’s worth noting that the male dolphins are generally pinker than the female dolphins.
7. The Amazon rainforest is fertilized by the Sahara desert.
Did you know that the Amazon rainforest is fertilized by the sand from the Sahara desert? This is one of those facts that doesn’t sound completely true, although it is! Various studies have discovered that over 56% of the dust that fertilizes the Amazon rainforest is originally from the Bodélé depression.
This depression is located in the Northern region of Chad, in the Sahara desert. This dust is transported to the Amazon through the force of strong winds, and it contains phosphorus, which is incredibly crucial for plant growth.
8. The Amazon rainforest runs through nine different countries.
If you’re trying to wrap your head around how huge the Amazon rainforest is, let us help you out! This enormous rainforest spans nine different countries. These countries include Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, and French Guiana.
Conclusion
In this article, we took a closer look at some interesting facts about the Amazon rainforest. Although we knew that there would be lots to learn about this rainforest, we didn’t realize that there were so many interesting facts that we didn’t know about! Out of all the facts mentioned above, our favorite was learning that the Amazon rainforest is fertilized by the Sahara desert. We hope that you enjoyed reading this article, and that you learned lots of new and interesting facts from it.