Producers and Consumers

According to the Rainforest Alliance, in the tropical rainforest biome, bananas grow on large trees with upright, with large fleshy and smooth leaves. The tree produces bundles of bananas which are the fleshy fruit with seeds. These trees are usually ranging from 6 feet to 30 feet. These trees are the life-line of the ecosystem because they provide the food, nutrients, and energy for its consumers, such as monkeys and macaws. This image was provided by the Rainforest Alliance.

Based on research from the Rainforest Alliance, Bromeliads are bright colorful flowers that normally bloom fruit. The Bromeliads in the rainforest normally absorb nutrients and water from the air around them. These bromeliads only bloom once a year when they disperse their fruits around the springtime. According to The Living Rainforest, these producers play a large role in the tropical rainforest biome, such as by providing "water pools" for other species, such as the poison dart frog. Bromeliads are also an important part of pollination. This image was provided by the Rainforest Alliance.

According to The Living Rainforest, tropical rainforest ecosystems consist of a vast variety of different orchid species. These producers tend to be fragrant and colorful. Blue Planet Biomes writes that orchids are one of the many types of epiphytes of tropical rainforests, such as the lowland rainforests in Malaysia. Orchids create symbiotic relationships with the trees that they grow on. The Rainforest Action Network has found that orchids contribute to the biodiversity of the tropical rainforest biome, and as a source of nutrients for many consumers. This image was provided by the Voyagers.

Based off of the research from Rainforest Alliance, jaguars are large spotted feline cats, and carnivores in the tropical rainforest. They normally have short and strong legs which have been adapted in order to swim and climb. The diet of these animals consist of fish, capybara, and monkeys. Furthermore, although they are usually binaural they can also be nocturnal at times. This image was provided by the Rainforest Alliance.

The capybara is a large rodent that is often found in the tropical rainforest biome. According to National Geographic, capybaras have several adaptations that allow them to survive in the aquatic ecosystems of marshes and forests. They have partially webbed feet that allow them to move around in the water, as well as reddish brittle fur that allows them to dry fast on land. Unlike other rats, their teeth continue to grow. They are herbivores and eat aquatic plants, grasses, and other abundant vegetation. They also devour their own feces, which are protein-rich due to the many microorganisms they ingested the day before. This image was provided by the Animal Corner.

According to National Geographic, a kinkajou, also known as a honey bear, is related to the raccoon, however, it has many characteristics with primates. They can turn their feet backward for faster mobility among branches and tree trunks. They also have a prehensile tail that can be utilized as an extra arm to help with balance and as a blanket high up in the canopy. Kinkajous eat fruit, honey from hives (the reason they are often honey bears), and small mammals, which is why they are omnivores. This image was provided by the San Diego Zoo.