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www.GOALias.blogspot.comwetlands of north east and some otherparts of India (Fig. 7.6).(ii) The tropical rainforestsThe tropical region has generally a hotclimate because of its location aroundthe equator. Even in the coldest monththe temperature is generally higher thanabout 15°C. During hot summers, thetemperature may cross 40°C. Days andnights are almost equal in lengththroughout the year. These regions getplenty of rainfall. An important featureof this region is the tropical rainforests.Tropical rainforests are found inWestern Ghats and Assam in India,Southeast Asia, Central America andCentral Africa. Because of continuouswarmth and rain, this region supportswide variety of plants and animals. Themajor types of animals living in therainforests are monkeys, apes, gorillas,lions, tigers, elephants, leopards, lizards,snakes, birds and insects.Let us read about the adaptations ofthese animals to a hot, humid climate.The climatic conditions in rainforestsare highly suitable for supporting anenormous number and variety ofanimals.Since the numbers are large, thereis intense competition for food andshelter. Many animals are adapted toliving on the trees. Red-eyed frog(Fig. 7.7) has developed sticky pads onits feet to help it climb trees on which itlives. To help them live on the trees,monkeys (Fig. 7.8) have long tails forgrasping branches. Their hands and feetFig. 7.7 Red-eyed frogFig. 7.8 A new world monkeyare such that they can easily hold on tothe branches.As there is competition for food, someanimals are adapted to get food noteasily reachable. A striking example isthat of the bird Toucan (Fig. 7.9), whichpossesses a long, large beak. This helpsa toucan to reach the fruits on brancheswhich are otherwise too weak to supportits weight.Many tropical animals have sensitivehearing, sharp eyesight, thick skin anda skin colour which helps them tocamouflage by blending with thesurroundings. This is to protect themfrom predators. For example, big cats, CWEATHEREATHER, , CLIMATEAND ADAPTATIONSOF ANIMALSTO CLIMATE7575