Life in the Asian Rainforest


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Sumatran Rhino



The Asian tapir.



Two truly Asian rainforest birds: the peacock () (left), and the Lesser Bird of Paradise (Paradisea minor) (right).





Some typical plants of the Asian rainforest. An epiphytic orchid (top left), and the giant flower of the Rafflesia (top right) that smells like rotting flesh attracting carrion flies who pollinate it. Bottom: The pitcher plants, like this giant pitcher (Nephentes maxima), are widespread and very diverse in the Asian rainforests (left). Several species of Ginger inhabit the rainforest floor (right).



The hornbills, such as this Great Hornbill, have the same ecological role than tucans in the American rainforests.



One of the many colorful parrots, the rainbow lori.



Wild banana (top left), and a spectacular orchid, Vanda (top right) in the rainforest. Bottom: Two other orchid species (Phalaenopsis cornucervi and ?) of the houndreds that found in the tropics of Southeast Asia.


One of the large herbivores is the wild cattle or banteng.



This parasitic Amorphophallus grows on the forest floor. The flowers of some species may be 6 feet tall.



Rainforest insects. Top left, the nocturnal Atlas moth; right, the spectacular Birdwing Butterfly. Bottom, the bizarre looking lanternbeetle (left), and one of the many kind of rhinoceros beetle (right).



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