VISUALIZE IT
Branching Out The Amazon is a vertical mosaic of layered habitats, each packed with extraordinary wildlife. Many move up and down through the stories to find what they need for survival. This creates an interconnected ecosystem—one that impacts our entire planet, and one that San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is working to protect. By Abigail Karkenny | Illustration by Amy Blandford
E M E RGE NT L AYE R
Bright, spacious, and unprotected from the elements
Are we there yet?
CANOPY L AYE R Crowded treetops that control light and moisture reaching the layers below
U N DE RSTORY L AYE R
Damp, tangled maze of trees, bushes, and vines that tolerate low light and high humidity
It takes 10 minutes for rain to drip from the thick canopy to the forest floor.
FOREST FLOOR
Dark (receiving less than 2 percent of light that the canopy does) and blanketed by decomposing matter
RIVE R
The world’s second-longest river, stretching 3,977 miles long with thousands of winding tributaries
40 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
Harpy eagle These massive raptors are perched at the top of the rainforest food chain.
Brazil nut tree Heavy, baseballsized fruits sprout from this massive tree.
Bald uakari Bright red faces are thought to signal good health to other monkeys. Scarlet macaw Strong, curved beaks help them crush nuts and seeds. Heliconia Only hummingbirds can reach the tucked-away nectar of these “lobster claws.” Goliath birdeating spider Insects, mice, frogs and more are on its menu— not just birds.
Amazon river dolphin Their shade of pink varies, depending on age and water clarity.
Greater bulldog bat These bats prey on fish by using echolocation to detect water movement. Agouti An oily substance on their coarse hair repels water like a raincoat. Green anaconda These whopping 550-pound snakes can swallow large prey whole.
