The Understory

OMNIVORES of the RAINFOREST FLOOR

The most notable rainforest omnivores are the wild forest pigs which are found in both the New and Old World. These animals usually root in the forest soil for their food and in the process create pits that fill with water when it rains, providing a home to insect larvae, frog tadpoles, and even some fish species. Pigs are generally herd animals that move in groups ranging from 5-25 individuals. These herds are strongly territorial and some of the larger species will actually maim and kill larger animals (including humans) that attempt to pass through their territory.

New World pigs are represented by the peccaries which range from the Southern U.S. to Argentina. Peccaries have the uncanny ability to sense plant bulbs at depths up to 10 feet (3 m). They also feed on roots, insects, and small animals. Peccaries are active all day long, although mostly at dawn and dusk. The herd appears to lack a hierarchal structure and often seems to follow any adult member that makes a decision.

The Old World has a surprising diversity of forest pigs including the wild boar, warthog, and the bizarre babirusa. The babirusa is endemic to the Indonesian island of Celebes (Sulawesi) and is considered highly endangered. It has an arched back with long thin legs and strange tusks that rise for over one foot (30 cm) from the lower jaw. As they extend, they curve backward and downward to form partial semicircles. The babirusa is usually found in swamps and along streams.

Review questions:

• Why are large predators relatively rare in the rainforest?
• Why are tigers endangered?

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Continued / Next: Birds of the Forest Floor