Scientists divide the rain forest into layers based on the living things. There are four layers.

Starting at the top:

EMERGENT: The tallest trees of the rain forest make up this top layer. These trees get lots of sunlight. Many birds and insects live here. Some animals never go below this area.

CANOPY: This is the main layer of the rain forest. Trees are tall here. They form a ceiling for the rainforest. Lots of fruits and flowers grow here. Many different animals live here, including birds, reptiles, mammals. Some animals always stay up in the canopy and never go to the ground.

UNDERSTORY: This layer of the rainforest does not get much light. It is under the leaves of the canopy but above the forest floor. The plants do not grow to be very tall. Many different kinds of animals live here.

FOREST FLOOR: Almost no sun reaches this layer. It is very wet and warm. Most of the largest animals live here. Lots of insects live here, too.