Different Rainforests

Hummingbirds and toucans, for example, only exist in the New World, i.e. in South and Central America. Their counterparts in Asia are nectar birds and hornbills. Orangutans, for example, are only found in South East Asia and gorillas only in Africa. There are no great apes in South America, only the much smaller New World monkeys. Instead, there are the primitive sloths and anteaters. Then there are the mountain rainforests, mystically shrouded in mist, where it can get quite cold at night. And of course there are the lowland rainforests, which are home to the most diverse communities from region to region. It is always hot and humid here. Then there are the so-called dry forests, where the trees lose their leaves in the dry season. In the rainy season, however, they look like normal rainforests. And finally, there are mangrove forests on the coasts. They have fewer species and the few tree species are adapted to salt water.

 

Costa Rica – Rich Forests

I like this small country for many reasons. There is hardly any other country with such a wealth of plant and animal species, which can also be experienced as you can cross the rainforests on your own. Costa Rica borders the Caribbean to the east and the Pacific to the west, separated by the Cordillera, which runs through the middle of the country. The habitats on the Pacific side are characterized by pronounced dry seasons, while the Caribbean side is constantly humid. The high mountains, on the other hand, have their very own flora and fauna. A third of the country is a nature reserve - let's hope it stays that way.