The branches shake and dark objects scatter across the treetops. If you are standing in the tropical forest you probably just heard monkeys over your head. Agile and acrobatic monkeys easily leap through the forest but are often difficult to see and study. Most monkeys live in tropical regions in the Americas, Africa, and Asia and spend much of their lives in treetops. Monkeys belong to a larger group of mammals called primates. Primates have large brains, grasping hands and include lemurs, apes and humans.

The rainforest is an ideal place for many types of animals to live. There is plenty of water, shelter and food, and it is warm all year.

Many reptiles and amphibians also live in the forest. The most spectacular is the anaconda which can measure 9 metres. Others include the colourful, but deadly poisonous coral snake, the python and the carpet snake (a delicacy according to the natives who eat it