Reptiles, Birds, Insects & Amphibians in the Temperate Rainforest

Insects in the Temperate Rainforest

The temperate rainforest has more insects than any other life form. Many dwell on the forest floor, in trees and on decomposing organic matter. The moist conditions make the temperate rainforest a breeding ground for many types of mosquitoes, of which human must be cautious when visiting. Feeding on organic matter, ants are rampant throughout the forest. Many types of butterflies also feed off the blooms of the flowering vegetation. A variety of beetles and stick-resembling insects are camouflaged in the temperate rainforest.

A variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles and birds live in temperate rainforests.Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images

The wet climate prevalent in temperate rainforests also creates ideal conditions for amphibians. Because frogs must always keep their skin moist, these forests are ideal for the many that dwell among the vegetation. Though not as common as they are in tropical rainforests, frogs in temperate rainforests can be found living close to bodies of water. Toads are extremely common in temperate regions, however. They live on the forest floor among leaves and feed on the many tiny insects that also live there. Salamanders also dwell under decaying trees or thick leaves on the forest floor, and they feed off other small organisms that live around them.

Though not as prevalent as they are in warmer tropical rainforests, many reptiles do live in temperate rainforests. Small snakes that climb among the trees and vegetation are common. Though most are nonvenomous, some snakes with poisonous bites can be found in these regions, such as pit vipers. Small lizards roam over the forest floor and on vegetation during the summer months. Box turtles are also common in temperate rainforests, feeding off insects and vegetation on the forest floor.

Birds are also common in temperate rainforests. In warmer regions, some types of parrots and cockatoos live among the trees and shrubbery. In cooler forests, ravens can be found. A variety of native hens, shrubwrens and thornbills feed off the insects and plant seeds in and around the forest floor and fauna. Various types of grouse feed on temperate rainforest insects and plant buds, while hummingbirds are common in warmer months and can be spotted feeding off the nectar of temperate rainforest blooms.