THE SECRETS OF TROPICAL RAINFORESTS
The rainforest ranks with dinosaurs as an enduring source of fascination for children, but has the advantage of still being around to be experienced - at least for now. In 42 color photographs, The Secrets of Tropical Rainforests introduces readers to this amazing environment, the unusual relationships between its animals and plants, and human interaction with rainforests. The book carries a strong ecological message as it explores the rainforest's crucial importance in the world ecosystem, and its extraordinary combination of resilience and fragility. Young readers learn, for example, that killing a rainforest may mean losing potent weapons against kids' cancer. Structured just as the rainforest itself is, from the roots up to the canopy, this title will amaze and delight young readers.
"This book stands out as an emergent tree from the welter of other rainforest
books. It is both highly readable and is based on sound scientific facts that are grounded in up-to-the-minute rainforest research." - Nalini M. Nadkarni, Rainforest Canopy Researcher and Member of the Faculty, The Evergreen State College
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Rainforest Secrets:
- Jaguars hunt prey from tapirs to turtles. They even fish for piranha. When jaguars use their tails as "bait," sometimes the piranha fish bites off the tip!
- The rainforest is home to the biggest snake in the world—the green anaconda, up to 30 feet long. It's also home to the most poisonous snake, the fer-de-lance.
- Rainforests specialize in super-sized creatures. The Goliath beetle, world's biggest, has a wingspan of one foot. So does the Queen Alexandra birdwing butterfly. One rainforest bat has a five-foot wingspan.
- Rafflesia, the world's biggest flower, can weigh 25 pounds and have fleshy petals three feet wide. Some people also call it the world's stinkiest flower.
- The Cuban bee hummingbird, the world's smallest, lives high in the Cuban rainforest.
- We get lots of caffeine from the rainforest. Besides coffee beans, the forest gives us cacao (where we get chocolate), and kola nuts—the main ingredient of cola drinks.
- The water lily, the world's earliest flower, grows on Amazon rivers. Its lily pad is six feet wide – roomy enough to sit on.
- The spider monkey can support its entire weight hanging from its tail. Its clever tail can even hold a piece of fruit.
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To Learn More:
- Rainforest Action Network. Clear writing and great teacher and student resources, including Kid's Corner. Excellent fact sheets, especially the one on Medicinal Treasures of the Rainforest. Website: www.ran.org
- Rainforest Alliance. Simple but information-packed website. This group certifies sustainable crops and products from farmers, foresters, and tour operators worldwide. Website: www.rainforest-alliance.org
- World Rainforest Movement. The written materials of this well-organised activist group are a good mix of science and clear language. Website: www.wrm.org.uy
- Earthwatch International, a science-based organization linking scientists with volunteers to carry out hundreds of fascinating research projects in more than 50 countries. The results provide solid data for conservation groups and sustainability efforts. Website: www.earthwatch.org
- The Audubon Society does outstanding work on a number of topics, but it is best known for its research on birds, such as songbirds that winter in rainforests. Website: www.audubon.org
- Sponsored by NASA and the National Science Foundation, this site offers much up-to-date information. Website: www.passporttoknowledge.com/rainforest
- Fauna & Flora International does international conservation and land purchase to protect diverse plant and animal life, in rainforests and other forests. Website: www.fauna-flora.org
- A global portal, with a directory of over 1,500 links: www.rainforestweb.org
- Another excellent portal: Website: www.rain-tree.com
- Conservation International. Website: www.conservation.org
- The Nature Conservancy. Website: www.nature.org
- Songbird Foundation. Website: www.songbird.org
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