Tropical Rainforest I remember when I first learned about tropical rain forests when I was in school. We were doing a unit on tropical rainforest animals as part of our natural sciences class. You have to understand that I lived in a pretty urban environment. I had seen a few exotic animals at the zoo, but nothing more wild or out there than a lion or a tiger. Animals that lived in the tropical rainforest are something else entirely. Tropical animals are fascinating. The environment is so rich and varied that they can grow to large sizes and develop very special and interesting adaptations. Some of them have strange iridescent skin to blend in with the lush green scenery. Others have sticky feet, extremely well-developed eyes, or long snouts to fertilize and pollinate particularly strange looking flowers. When I first got the chance to go to a tropical rain forest a few years ago, I was absolutely overjoyed. Tropical rainforests had always seemed like some sort of strange fantasy land to me. I never realized that you could actually go to one. I guess I had never thought of it until one of my friends proposed a trip to me. He said that we should go down to Costa Rica together over summer vacation. I absolutely jumped at the chance. It seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime. You can't quite just go out in the tropical rainforest on your own. We would have liked to explored by ourselves, but we decided to give in to prudence and hire a guide. I'm glad that we did. Tropical rainforests have some pretty nasty critters in them. There are giant insects, poisonous snakes, and even large mammals that can injure humans. If you know what you're doing, the risks are pretty low. Still, that doesn't mean you should go in if you don't know what you're doing. Our guide showed us all around the tropical rainforest. He was particularly good, and by the time the trip was done I was pretty sure I knew enough to walk around by myself. We actually arranged to take a little hiking trip together without anyone else there. It was wonderful to be in the rainforest – just my friend and I. I've never seen anything quite so beautiful as that environment. It is definitely a trip that I will remember all my life, and certainly not the last tropical rainforests trip I will ever take. I'm already planning one for next year. Summary Tropical rainforests house many different types of plants and animals not seen anywhere else in the world. Due to the amount of many poisonous animals and insects, it is best to not venture exploring on your own. Always have a guide who is familiar with the environment. Visiting one is a trip you'll never forget. Related Articles Endangered Species Environmental Issues Save The Earth Related Sites