Introduction
Compared to tropical rainforests fewer animals live in temperate rainforests. Temperate rainforests also do not have the incredible variety of animals as that found in tropical rainforests. However there are numerous amazing and interesting animals that live in these temperate regions that are well adapted for survival there. In this section of Temperate Rainforest Facts we list numerous facts about temperate rainforest animals. There is information about what animals live there, how they survive, and where in the forest most of them live. This information is written for both kids and adults.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about temperate rainforests.
Temperate Rainforest Interesting Facts
- Most of the animals that live in the temperate rainforest live on the forest floor. The forest floor has plenty of food such as small plants, grass, and plenty of insects. Some animals have even adapted to eating the tough conifer needles that litter the floor.
- The huge trees towering over the forest floor provide shelter from wind, sun and rain for the animals that live there.
- The animals that live in temperate rainforest must be able to survive winters that can get very cold. Some have thick fur coats, some hibernate, where as others avoid the cold weather by migrating to warmer regions during the winter. Many birds in these regions migrate.
- Tropical rainforest are full of colorful plants and flowers and therefore, in order to camouflage themselves from predators, many of the animals that live there are also colorful. Temperate rainforest on the other hand are not full of colorful plants and flowers therefore the animals that live there blend into their surroundings by having plainer colors such as browns and grays.
- The largest carnivores found in temperate rainforest are bears. Many different species of bears can be found in the various temperate rainforests of the world; they include black, brown, and grizzly bears.
- You may not expect to find large hoofed animals in the temperate rainforest but the huge Roosevelt Elk thrives in North Americas temperate rainforests.
- The most abundant life forms in the temperate rainforest are insects. The moist forest floor filled with decomposing organic matter is a breeding ground for insects. Mosquitoes, ants, butterflies, and beetles are just a few of the insects you will find living there.
- Although not nearly as plentiful as in tropical rainforest, many reptiles can be found in temperate rainforests. Snakes, small lizards, and turtles can be found feeding on the numerous insects on the forest floor.
- Amphibians such as frogs, toads, and salamanders are common in these forests. They thrive in the moist and mild weather and the plentiful supply of insects found in the forest.
Temperate Rainforest Animal List
Temperate Rainforest North American Animals
- Moose
- Elk
- Black-tailed deer
- Grizzly Bears
- American Black Bears
- Otters
- Rabbits
- Raccoons
- Clarks Nutcracker
- Blue Grouse
- Gray
- Bobcats
- Bald Eagles
- Beavers
- Muskrats
- Skunks
- Owls (such as Horned and Spotted)
Temperate Rainforest Asian Animals
- Siberian Tiger
- Snow Monkeys
- Snow Leopards
- Eastern Leopards
- Egrets
- Shrews
- Brown Bears
Temperate Rainforest European Animals
- Brown Bears
- Wolves
- Ibex
- Stoats
- Hares
- Wild Boar
- Elk
- Lynx
Australia and New Zealand Animals
- Kangaroos
- Wombats
- Wallabies
- Tasmanian Devils
- Black Cockatoos
- Thornbills
- Spotted-tailed Quolls
- Ringtail Possums
- Eastern Pygmy Possums
- Tasmanian Pademelons
- Tree frogs
- Rosellas