Here in the Zoo, we found many interesting animals.

1. Basilisk

Its an omnivore

They call it the "Jesus Christ Lizard", for its ability to run on the surface of water

Basilisk lizards are excellent swimmers and are capable of remaining underwater for up to 30 minutes

Lives throughout Central America, as far south as Panama and Columbia

They are not an endangered species, but they are considered at risk due to pollution and habitat destruction

To help save these animals, is to stop polluting

This animal is a diurnal

It is a green lizard with green eyes, and a tail

Its diet consists of insects, flowers, and small vertebrates such as snakes, birds, eggs, and fish

The difference in this animals living standards is that in the Rainforest, the average living temperature for these lizards should be 62 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit. This shows that Miami, is a bit of a good place for the lizards to live here, except that in July, the lizards must receive around 92 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Black Howler Monkey

Mammal

Lives in South America; Lives in dense, shadowy forest

It relies on hearing more than seeing

Diet: Leaves, Fruits, Flowers

Characteristics: Light brown to a black color, with a tail

It is an endangered animal

They re also one of the loudest land animals on Earth because of their call, used to mark out territory, that can be heard for three miles

But the species is finding it increasingly difficult to find food as a result of deforestation, which is the reason so many of them are dying

Its branches and trees make it ideal as this monkey environment, because it allows the monkey to swing from tree to tree, and to be able to snatch food quickly and easily

The difference is that Howler monkeys prefer to live in the rainforests of the Americas. They prefer because they are able to swing from tree to tree, grabbing their food, and its a tradition that monkeys do that. They live in tall rainforest trees in groups of between 4 and 19 members. While not particularly perky primates, they are most active during the day (diurnal), sleeping high in rainforest trees at night. This shows that since there is hardly any space in the zoo for the monkeys to swing, in the Amazon Rainforest, they are given more freedom, and can move to any area. Also, in the zoo in Miami, they are segregated from their friends and family, which makes it a harsh living condition for monkeys.

3. Jaguar

Diet: Deer, Peccary, Crocodiles, Snakes, Monkeys, Sloths, Tapirs, Turtles, Eggs, Frogs, Fish and anything else they can catch

Live in wet lowland habitats, swampy savannas or tropical rain forests. Their favorite habitat is in the tropical and subtropical forests. Jaguars also live in forests and grasslands, living near rivers and lakes, in small caves, marshland, and under rock ledges; they live in shrubby areas as well

Characteristics: Orange and white, with black spots, and razor sharp teeth and claws

The Jaguars that inhabit the Amazon live in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, and Brazil

They are near endangered, too many are being killed

Using its increased speed and biting force, it can kill almost any animal

The difference with the Rainforest and Miami, is also that the Jaguar, is unable to roam around wherever it likes when it is in Miami, since it is caged, and it sleeps more than it does hunting. While in the Amazon, it can freely kill whoever it desires, and it can go anywhere, much like the monkeys who need to move a lot.

4. Glass Frog

Also known as the "See Through Frog"

Amphibian

Glass Frogs is a carnivore (meat-eater). It eats insects with soft bodies and different types of spiders. Glass frogs are important part of the ecosystem because they keep the number of insects under control. Due to their small size, glass frogs are easy target of large predators.

Characteristics: Green with tiny dots, and black eyes

Glass frogs are endangered due to habitat loss

There are 60 different types of glass frogs. They live in southern Mexico, in Central and South America. Glass frogs prefer life in the tropical rainforests, usually high in the treetops above the water.

The difference is that Glass frogs live in and among the trees and plants of humid mountain forests in Central and South America. Therefore, the Zoo in Miami, does not offer humid mountain forests, because Miami only has flat, land with oceans. Also they are deprived of their freedom which is to roam around.

5. Sloth

Sloths have a four-part stomach that slowly digests the leaves with bacteria. It can take up to a month for a sloth to digest one meal. Their leafy diet isn't very nutritious though, so they don't get much energy from it. This may be why sloths are so slow.

Critically Endangered

Characteristics: it has long nails, and these sloths sleep almost the whole day

Mammal

Live in all of South America

The difference is that there is not a lot of space for the sloths to sleep, since when we observed, there were not a lot fo trees for the sloths that were there, therefore the Rainforest is ideal for them to live.

Heliconia Flower

This beautiful amazonian flora is known as the Hanging Lobster Claw. This flower is bright through its color and varies in its structure. They require warm and humid conditions to grow, thus being prominent in the tropical regions of the world. The heliconia flower is a very popular exotic flower that gives it the ultimate tropical feel. It can be found in every part of the Amazon Rainforest. The difference between how this plant lives in Miami compared to the Rainforest, is that the Rainforest has more sunlight and water that weighs heavily on the plants, because many plants grow at extraordinary rates.

Rubber Tree

In the wild, the rubber tree can grow from heights of 100 to 130 feet, and can live up to 100 years. Its most famous feature is the milky white sap, known as latex, which flows freely from the tree when a sliver of bark is removed. A rubber tree, can be referred to as rubber wood, can be tapped for latex once it reaches approximately six years of age. In order to reproduce, the fruit of the rubber wood burst open when ripe, scattering its many seeds in an area spanning up to 100 feet from the tree. Amazon region of South America, including Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. These trees are generally found in low-altitude moist forests, wetlands, riparian zones, forest gaps, and disturbed areas. The difference in how this plant lives between the Rainforest and Miami is that in the Rainforest, the climate is much more suitable since in the Rainforest, it rains way more than it does in Miami, and its better, since it rains, because the plants receive their nutritional needs, which consists of water and sunlight.

Orchids

Cacao

Venus Fly Trap