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amazon rain forest

Amazon Toucan Study Guide for Kids Who Love Animals

January 15, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have an Amazon toucan study guide. Also, look at my pages Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon, Rain Forest – Amazon, and Rainforest Activities for Kids for more ideas.

My study guides are the best bite size chunks of information for various topics.

You’ll want to use books alongside the guide to learn about birds and the Amazon toucans.

Amazon Toucan Study Guide for Kids Who Love Animals at Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

But one of the best things about my toucan study guide is that important information is highlighted.

Not all kids like the dense amount of information on topics found in books.

So use the study guides alone or as part of a deeper dive into the world of toucans.

BOOKS ABOUT TOUCANS FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these books about toucans.

8 Books about Toucans

Add some of these books about these fascinating birds to your home library.

Explore My World Rain Forests

Drip, drop. Rain falls softly on the forest canopy. You peer into the mist. What wild creatures emerge? In this charming picture book, curious kids will learn all about the majesty of the rain forest, from jungle predators to colorful treetop birds to plants that thrive in this lush landscape.

Toucans

This book introduces readers to the large-billed bird of the rain forest: the toucan. Readers learn about the life cycle, behavior, physical characteristics, and habitat of toucans. Vivid photographs and easy-to-read text aid comprehension for early readers. Features include a table of contents, an infographic, fun facts, Making Connections questions, a glossary, and an index. QR Codes in the book give readers access to book-specific resources to further their learning.

All the Birds in the World

What makes a bird a bird? All birds have feathers, wings, and beaks. But birds come in many varieties of colors, shapes, and sizes, with different habits and homes. Take a beautifully illustrated journey -- with an adorable kiwi bird as your guide -- through the vast and colorful world of birds, with its tapestry of textures, sounds, and sights. Even the kiwi chick -- who struggles to see at first how he fits in -- finds that he too belongs to this fascinating family of feathered friends.

Toucans (Elementary Explorers)

An interesting and informative look into the life and behavior of toucans for young readers.This book covers the physical characteristics, habitat, family life, behavior, and conservation of toucans.

Bird Feathers: A Guide to North American Species

  • Over 400 photos of representative feathers from 379 species
  • How to identify not only what bird a feather came from but also what kind of feather it is
  • Range maps and wing type given for each bird
    This guide teaches birders to use the characteristics of wing types and feather morphology to identify feathers--not only by species but also by their place on the bird's body.
  • Toucans: A Comprehensive Guide to Toucans and Their Impact Throughout History

    Have you ever paid attention to the Toucan? I hadn't until I was on vacation in Costa Rica and became captivated by this beautiful bird one morning as it was perched in a tree just a few feet away from me while drinking coffee. This experience would lead me to a much deeper curiosity that would later evolve into an obsession with learning everything I could about its history and impact on surrounding cultures. Upon returning home, I spent hours researching all the information I could find about this bird from its history to taxonomy to science. It is merged into one place to make it easy to see the beauty of the Toucan through the eyes of the early naturalists to now. The information will both educate and surprise you. The pictures will amaze you to the beauty that exists in our rainforests just a short plane ride to Central and South America.

    Toucan Chicks

    In Toucan Chicks, emergent readers learn how baby toucans grow up in the rain forest and use their large, colorful beaks to eat.

    Mystery of the Troubled Toucan:

    Nine-year-old Sofia Diaz’s world is coming apart. So is the rickety old boat that carries her far up the Rio Negro river in Brazil. Crocodiles swim in the dark waters. Spiders scurry up the twisted tree trunks. And a crazy toucan screeches a warning. It chases Sofia and Júlia, her new friend, deep into the steamy rainforest. There they stumble upon a shocking discovery.

    Next look at these topical study guides.

    MORE STUDY GUIDES FOR KIDS

    • Horse Study Guide For Kids Who Love Animals
    • Narwhal Study Guide
    • Penguin Study Guide
    • Flamingo Study Guide

    And then look at these hands-on activities to include for studying about toucans.

    • How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall
    • Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts
    • Check out my 3 free Rainforest Lapbooks.
    Amazon Toucan Study Guide for Kids Who Love Animals

    Then, look at what’s inside the toucan study guide.

    ABOUT THE AMAZON TOUCAN STUDY GUIDE

    This printable is a 31 page pdf. Look at some of the topics

    • What are toucans
    • Toucan species
    • Anatomy of a toucan
    • Toucan life cycle
    • Habitat and environment
    • Diet and feeding habits
    • Communication and behavior
    • Role in the Rainforest ecosystem
    • Conservation and threats
    • Toucan food activity
    • Anatomy of a toucan activity
    • Life cycle activity
    • Name the toucan activity
    • Quiz time activity
    • Fill in the blanks activity
    • True or false activity
    Amazon Toucan Study Guide for Kids Who Love Animals

    HOW TO GET THE TOUCAN PRINTABLE INFORMATION PACKET

    You can get it now!

    TOS
    Important: READ THIS FIRST.
    Before you email me asking where your download link is or tell me that it is not working, read this to ensure that you get your pretties timely and that you don’t pay for something and not get it.
    • All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store. A digital physical year calendar does not mean a physical product or calendar.
    • Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later,etc.
    • The email with the download link will go to the email you used for paypal. If you used your husband’s paypal, your downloads will go to that email. Please check that email and your spam before emailing me telling me you can’t find it.
    • Please put my email tina @ tinasdynamichomeschoolplus dot com (of course substitute the right symbol for dot) in your address/contact list so that your product does not go to spam.

    • Dynamic and Amazing Toucan Study Guide For Young Learners

      Dynamic and Amazing Toucan Study Guide For Young Learners

      $4.00
      Add to cart

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Do Unit Studies Tagged With: amazon rain forest, study guide, toucan

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    September 18, 2024 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    Today is all about fun facts about Kapok trees. Also, look at my pages Rain Forest – Amazon, Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon, and Rainforest Activities for Kids for more ideas, crafts and activities.

     And this is a super easy learning activity with things you should already have on hand.

    For preschoolers you will want to keep this activity very simple.

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    But older kids can add more detail and even label the different layers of the rainforest.

    Rainforests are like giant, green umbrellas that cover about 6% of the Earth’s land surface.

    They’re found near the equator in South America, Africa, and Asia.

    They are full of tall trees, lush plants, and amazing animals.

    In fact, over half of the world’s plant and animal species live in rainforests.

    Kapok trees are towering, important parts of rainforests.

    They have been brought to our front door by wonderful classic books like The Great Kapok Tree.

    The beautiful images make it more real to children and show how they are a central part to the flora and fauna there.

    I love using literature as a base for unit studies.

    While we cover a lot of great rainforest information we are going to focus on Kapok trees with our chosen story.

    BOOKS ABOUT THE RAINFOREST FOR KIDS

    First, look at some of these fun books about the Amazon to add to your reading day.

    I choose living books when I can find them.

    21 Rain Forest Animals For Kids Books and Resources

    Add these rain forest animal books, games, and toys to round out your study of the animals of the rain forest.

    Wildlife Animal Model Toy Red Eye Tree Frog Figure

    It is a great way to expand the growth with children through physical science.

    All the Way Down: Amazon Rainforest

    This book explores the rainforest layer by layer and the creatures that make their home in each part of the rainforest.

    Rainforest Animals (Who Am I?)

    Which rainforest animal is a frog that uses its eyes to help it swallow its food? Which rainforest animal is a bird with a big, colorful bill? Let's learn more about rainforest animals such as sloths, poison dart frogs, toucans, and more! Read With You's Who Am I? series encourages children to be more curious about the world around them as they learn fun facts about animals from across the globe.

    Over and Under the Rainforest

    Part of the critically acclaimed Over and Under series that includes Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt and Over and Under the Snow!Under the canopy of the rainforest hundreds of animals make their homes, but up in the leaves hides another world. Turn the pages of this beautiful and educational book to discover in words and mesmerizing illustration:

    Animals like the slender parrot snake and the blue morpho butterfly.

    The canopies where toucans and pale-billed woodpeckers chatter and call.

    Capuchin monkeys who swing from vines and slow-moving sloths who wait out daily thunderstorms.

    Wild Animal Jungle Sloth Toy Figurine

    Sloth Toy Figurine

    In the Rainforest (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

    The rainforest is home to millions of plant and animal species. Some animals live high up in the trees, some crawl across the forest floor, and some tunnel underground, but they all depend on one another and the rain to survive. With colorful illustrations and fascinating diagrams from author-illustrator Kate Duke, In the Rainforest is a lively look at the most vibrant ecosystem on our planet. 

    Anacondas (Rain Forest Animals)

    This book introduces readers to the largest snake in the world: the anaconda. Readers learn about the life cycle, behavior, physical characteristics, and habitat of anacondas

    Learn to Draw Rainforest & Jungle Animals

    Expanding the popular collection of animal books in the Learn to Draw Series, Learn to Draw Rainforest & Jungle Animals will teach kids how easy it is to draw a variety of exciting and exotic creatures from around the world. Each project starts with a basic shape and progresses with simple-to-follow steps to a finished realistic final colored artwork. While they’re learning, kids will also discover fun facts about each featured animal.

    The Rainforest Grew All Around

    Imaginations will soar from the forest floor, up through the canopy and back down again, following the circle of life in this clever adaptation of the song “The Green Grass Grew All Around.” The jungle comes alive as children learn about a wide variety of the animals (jaguars, emerald tree boas, leafcutter ants, sloths, poison dart frogs, toucans, and bats) and plants (kapok trees, liana vines, and bromeliads) living in the lush Amazon rainforest. Delve even deeper into the jungle using sidebars and the three-page “For Creative Minds” educational section.

    Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

    While it covers more than just the rainforest this is a fabulous resource to have on your shelves. You will find plenty of great pictures and information on many animals that live there- crocodiles, harpy eagles, monkeys, tapir , sloths,Jaguarundi, and the food web.

    Rainforest Glow-in-The-Dark Puzzle, Rainforest Animals, Birds, Plants and More

    COLORFUL ARTWORK: Kids will love the colorful puzzle artwork showing the animals, plants, trees and birds that call the rainforest home. The storage box shows the completed puzzle artwork and is an ideal place to keep pieces safe and free from damage.

    The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest

    Tells a story of a man who came to cut down a kapok tree and encounters many of the beautiful and exotic native creatures who make their home in the Amazon Rainforest.

    Professor Noggin's Reptiles and Amphibians Trivia Card Game

    FUN FACTS: How about Reptiles versus Amphibians?!  That's just one of the topic cards in this kids card game.  Find out more fun facts from Eggs to the Komodo Dragon!

    Rainforest Gummi Frogs Candy

    How fun!

    FRESH & FRUITY: Fruidles single-flavor gummies pack giant taste into one delicious flavor. After one bite of these fruity gummies, you'll taste the difference of giant fresh fruit flavors & a deliciously soft chew you won't find with other gummy candies.

    Hello, World! Rainforest Animals

    This bright and exciting Hello, World! board book teaches toddlers all about the amazing world of a rainforest—with easy-to-understand facts about the incredible animals who make their home there.

    Where Is the Amazon?

    Human beings have inhabited the banks of the Amazon River since 13,000 BC and yet they make up just a small percentage of the "population" of this geographic wonderland. The Amazon River basin teems with life—animal and plant alike.

    Canopy, Card Game, Features 25 Unique Species of Rainforest Animals and Plants

    Compete to grow the most bountiful rainforest! Carefully select what grows in your forest, and give rise to a thriving ecosystem.

    LEGO Creator Rainforest Animals

    Features a frog, a fly and a parrot with articulated wings and tail, opening mouth and rotatable eyes 3-in-1 model: rebuilds into a chameleon or a tropical fish

    Afternoon on the Amazon

    Vampire bats and killer ants? That's what Jack and Annie are about to run into when the Magic Tree House whisks them away to the Amazon River. It's not long before they get hopelessly lost. Will they be able to find their way back to the tree house? Or are Jack and Annie stuck forever in the rain forest?

    Red-eyed Tree Frog (Scholastic Bookshelf)

    NatureI n a tropical rain forest in Central America, a red-eyed tree frog spends the night looking for food while avoiding potential predators. Award-winning photographer Nic Bishop's larger-than-life, gorgeous images document the hunt, which ends happily with the frog settling down in the leaves to spend his daylight hours sleeping! Joy Cowley's simple, readable text makes the frog's story fun, interesting, and accessible to young readers.

    Protecting the Amazon Rainforest (Saving Earth's Biomes)

    Explores the richness of the Amazon rainforest, how humans have damaged it, and efforts being taken to protect it. Clear text, vibrant photos, and helpful infographics make this book an accessible and engaging read.

    Then look at facts about Kapok trees.

    10 FUN FACTS ABOUT KAPOK TREES FOR KIDS

    The kapok tree is also a symbol of strength and resilience, and it is often used in art and literature to represent these qualities.

    Kapok trees are native to tropical rainforests in Central and South America.

    They can grow to be over 200 feet tall, making them one of the tallest trees in the rainforest.

    Kapok trees have large, buttressed roots that help to support their massive trunks.

    The bark of the kapok tree is smooth and gray, and it is covered in small, sharp spines.

    The leaves of the kapok tree are large and compound, with each leaf divided into several smaller leaflets.

    The flowers of the kapok tree are large and white, and they bloom in clusters.

    The fruit of the kapok tree is a large, brown capsule that contains hundreds of small, fluffy seeds.

    The seeds of the kapok tree are used to make a variety of products, including stuffing for pillows and mattresses, insulation, and life jackets.

    Kapok trees are an important part of the rainforest ecosystem, and they provide food and shelter for many animals.

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    Before we began our craft, we read The Great Kapok Tree to learn all about the animals of the rainforest.

     It was also a wonderful reference throughout to know where to place them.

    We also pulled out our Professor Noggin Wildlife Safari game to explore the animals and pulled out those that live in the rainforest which led to matching them with our plastic animals.

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    Do you need a few more ideas to round out your rainforest study?

    Here are ideas for Kapok trees as well as the amazing animals that make their home there.

    KAPOK TREES AND OTHER SYMBOLS OF THE RAINFOREST

    Here are 7 Cool Rainforest Science Activities and Create Rainforest Floor Slime for a wonderful sensory experience.

    Take a virtual field trip into the fascinating Rainforest among thick greenery and past flying exotic birds with these 25 Facts About The Amazon Rainforest.

    Learn about and make some of these 20 Tropical Rainforest Foods and Make an Acai Bowl for hands-on learning.

    Beautiful And Colorful Amazonian Rainforest Animals Lapbook For Kids

    Use your plastic animals to create a Rainforest Sensory Bin for hours of open ended play and investigation.

    How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids

    Find out questions like Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles and make a replica of a Turnip Tailed Gecko too.

    Fun Easy Amazon Rainforest Crafts and Make a Bubble Wrap Pattern Anaconda

    This is a great idea for turning our book  into an interactive and fun The Great Kapok Tree Lapbook Project.

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    Finally, look at how to make this easy Kapok tree activity.

    HANDS-ON KAPOK TREE ACTIVITY

    You will need:

    • 1 brown construction paper
    • 2 blue construction paper
    • 2 green construction paper Plastic rainforest animals
    • Glue stick
    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    First, we’re keeping this easy and use a minimum of supplies.

    Start by tearing brown paper in half to create the trunk and ripping up the green into large irregular pieces for the tree’s foliage.

    We also tore off a strip to create the forest floor.

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    Slightly overlap and glue together two blue pieces of construction paper to create a tall blue column.

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    Stack the two halves of torn brown for the trunk of your tree and glue into place.

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    Glue down a forest floor from one or several strips of paper.

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    Place your large pieces of greenery all over the top of the tree to create the canopy, gluing into place.

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    Create a thick canopy with lots of leaf layers.

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    Once the glue is dry the animals can be placed while you talk about where in the tree each of the animals might live within the layers.

    10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: amazon rain forest, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, life science, rainforest, trees

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    June 4, 2024 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    Today we are creating a toucan habitat diorama. Also, look at my page Rain Forest – Amazon, Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon and Rainforest Activities for Kids or more ideas, crafts and activities.

    Our diorama resembles the rainforest canopies of Central and South America where the toucan make their home.

    High above the ground, where the covering is lush and thick, Toucans build their nests.

    They build them in hollowed out tree cavities sleeping in groups of 5 or 6.

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    They very rarely fly down to the forest floor.

    Also, they are prey for forest eagles, hawks, owls, boas, and jaguars.

    We are creating a tropical rainforest paradise that is perfect for a bright toucan to hide out in.

    It is complete with a unique waterfall just like you might find in the Lacandon Jungle, Mexico or Kaieteur Falls in the Amazon.

    This is a pretty safe hot glue craft even for younger kids as they only have to squeeze the glue gun to create their piece and do not touch the glue until it’s completely cooled.

    They may just need a little bit of help attaching the waterfall.

    What better way to learn about this fascinating and beautiful bird than to study its habitat with a unique rainforest diorama.

    5 Fun Facts About Toucans

    1. Toucans use their massive beaks to attract mates, intimidate predators, to reach food that would otherwise be out of reach, and to control their body temperature by regulating blood flow through it.
    2. Vocabulary alert- They are ‘monomorphic’ which means that there is no color difference in males and females, both are equally colorful.
    3. Toucans range in size from the toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) that can be up to 24” down to the tawny-tufted toucanet (Selenidera nattereri) at just 12.5”.
    4. Toucans hang out in groups of 3 to 12, but also as large as groups of 20.
    5. They are very important to the biome of the rainforest. They eat a variety of native fruits and spread the seeds via their droppings, which helps keep the plants growing and maintains the forest’s diversity.
    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    Next, add a few more ideas to bring your toucan habitat diorama to life.

    Toucan Habitat Resources

    • Toucans! My Incredible World Picture Book
    • If you want another toucan activity that is especially great for younger kids make these. Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts
    • Watch All About Toucans to see the big beaked beauties in action.
    • You can include toucans or any rainforest creature in this unique and easy Rainforest Triorama with kids project
    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    Finally, look at how to make this fun toucan shoebox diorama.

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    You will need:

    • Glue gun/sticks
    • Box/shoebox
    • Greenery
    • Plastic toucan figure
    • Green and blue craft paint
    • Rocks and sticks
    • Paintbrushes
    • Silicone mat

    These messy mats are a must for any project, and they work well to contain paint, glue, playdough, or any other mess.

    Perfect for glue gun “sculptures”, they allow you to peel it away so easily.

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    First, decide which way you want to design your box.

    We opted to put our box vertically so that we could maximize our waterfall and canopy height.

    Paint the inside with thick blobby layers of different greens to create a thick full background, leaving some space for the blue of the waterfall.

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    Let the paint dry (or use a blow dryer to move it along a little faster).

    Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    Then paint your blue waterfall from the top down and on the bottom inside of the box to create a little pool.

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    Allow the paint to dry completely, while you are waiting you can create the waterfall

    Lay out your silicone mat and drizzle hot glue in continuous motions up and down as tall and as wide as you like.

    Be sure to overlap each of the layers so that each strand of glue is touching in multiple areas.

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    Allow glue to cool and harden, add more to the base of the waterfall for where it splashes up as it hits the pool.

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    Once your glue is hardened you can dab a bit of blue on the glue or leave it clear.

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    When the paint is dry inside your habitat you can begin to assemble it.

    Place some hot glue along the top and bottom of your waterfall and layer over where you painted it in the box.

    Drip additional hot glue to attach it into place and fill it out as you like.

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    Next, glue in some rocks around the pool and secure some sticks from the yard to use as tree trunks.

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    Then, attach greenery to the “trees” as well as on the ground to create a thick dense rainforest

    Finally, add in your toucan and other animals if you would like to represent various parts of the rainforest.

    How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: amazon rain forest, bird, birds, diorama, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, toucan

    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    December 7, 2023 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    Do geckos live in the rainforest? Asking questions and discovering the answers are wonderful ways for kids to learn about the world around them. Too, you’ll love my Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon page.

    What is the largest reptile? Let’s answer some of those questions for them.

    Reptiles are fascinating and can be found on every continent except Antarctica.

    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    So, wherever you are there are amazing reptiles to observe and learn about. Most kids are fascinated with this topic.

    I have learned that kids get so much more out of a lesson when they do rather than just listen.

    For example, today we’re creating a replica of a real lizard like the Turnip Tailed Gecko from the Amazon Rainforest.

    I can tell you that years from now they will remember facts they learned about it, like how their mouth is black inside, or that they sacrifice their tail to escape predators and the funny-looking way it regenerates.

    Questions and Answers About Reptiles

    First, look at some facts about reptiles.

    1. What defines a reptile? Reptiles are air-breathing, cold-blooded vertebrates that have scaly bodies rather than hair or feathers; most reptile species are egg-laying (but not all).
    2. What kinds of animals are reptiles? Lizards, snakes, turtles, alligators, and crocodiles.
    3. Do Geckos live in the rainforest? Yes! You will find geckos like the Turnip Tailed Gecko, Bridled Forest Geckos, and the Amazon Lava Lizard to name a few.  In fact, geckos live on all the continents except Antarctica.
    4. What is the world’s largest reptile? That title goes to the saltwater crocodile, one was even recorded at over 20’ long.
    5. How many different types of reptiles are there? There are more than 8,200 different species of reptiles, most of these are snakes and lizards.

    5 More Questions and Answers About Reptiles

    1. Do all snakes lay eggs? No only about 70% do, but snakes in colder climates have live births because the eggs would not survive the cold.
    2. What is the biggest species of lizard in the world? That would be the Komodo dragon, it can grow as big as 10 feet long.
    3. What are turtle shells made of? A turtle’s shell is made of bone and is a part of the turtle’s spine. It is made out of two pieces, the carapace (top) and the plastron (bottom), and covered in scoots that are made of keratin.
    4. How fast can alligators run? Alligators can run up to 35 mph for very brief periods, which is faster than Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world.
    5. Do chameleons really change colors to blend in? Blending in is not the main purpose. Their natural appearance allows them to blend in well with their habitat and evade predation. Another reason is that chameleons can’t regulate their own body temperatures, they change their skin color to reflect or absorb sunlight and thereby deflect or absorb different amounts of heat. Yet another reason for the color change is that changes in the chameleon color may also signify a chameleon’s mood.
    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    Also, add one of these books to your lists.

    Note I prefer living books more than textbooks. So, I know you’ll find some of them helpful.

    Reptile Books and Resources

    Add some of these books and resources about reptiles to your library.

    Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles

    A fascinating picture book biography of a pioneering female scientist who loved reptiles!While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere--she even brought a crocodile to school!When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children's tea parties--with her komodo dragon as the guest of honor.

    Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

    See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.Nature Anatomy is the second book in Rothman's Anatomy series – you'll love Nature Anatomy Notebook, Ocean Anatomy, Food Anatomy, and Farm Anatomy, too!

    The Ultimate Book of Reptiles: Your guide to the secret lives of these scaly, slithery, and spectacular creatures!

    Sink your fangs into the hidden worlds of these scaly and sensational creatures with leading reptile scientist and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Ruchira Somaweera as your guide.Meet the coolest cold-blooded animals ever. From lizards to snakes, turtles to crocodiles, something called a tuatara, and even enormous prehistoric reptiles (think real-life sea monsters!), you’ll discover what makes a reptile a reptile; how these creatures live, hunt, hide, and raise their young, and the wild adaptations that make them so unique. Learn which snake is the most venomous on the planet and which are surprisingly gentle creatures, which reptile is born with a highly developed third eye in its forehead, and which one is so tiny it could balance on the tip of your finger—plus loads of super important conservation information and impactful ways to join the fight to save endangered reptile species right from home!

    Professor Noggin's Reptiles and Amphibians Trivia Card Game

    • PLAY & LEARN: Professor Noggin’s series of educational card games encourages kids to learn interesting facts about their favorite subjects.
    • FUN FACTS: How about Reptiles versus Amphibians?!  That's just one of the topic cards in this kids card game.  Find out more fun facts from Eggs to the Komodo Dragon!

    Reptiles do the Strangest Things

    A great book that parents could read for kids and also includes fun trivia!!

    Album of Reptiles

    Dramatic incidents preface descriptions of reptiles ranging from crocodiles and cobras to turtles and tuataras

    Additionally, I have more hands-on ideas for learning about reptiles.

    Hands-On Reptile Activities

    Besides our Turnip Tailed Gecko craft, grab a few more of these hands-on reptile activities to supplement your study.

    • Gila Monster Craft
    • Fun Easy Amazon Rainforest Crafts and Make a Bubble Wrap Pattern Anaconda
    • Paper Roll Frilled Neck Lizard
    • Popsicle Stick Crocodile
    • 10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana
    • A Color of His Own: Chameleon Watercolor Project
    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    Finally, look how to make this foam turnip tailed gecko.

    Make a Turnip Tailed Gecko Craft from The Amazon Rainforest

    You can copy my directions or use the general idea and choose a different lizard, adding its own unique features to your steps.

    You will need:

    • Craft foam-green, pink
    • Google eyes
    • Black paint/marker
    • Scissors
    • Pencil
    • Tacky glue
    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    First, we found an image of the gecko we wanted to recreate on Google.

    Draw your lizard onto craft foam with a pencil.

    I found it easiest to draw the abdomen, head, and tail, leaving space for the legs that were a little more difficult.

    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    Then I drew in the legs and toes, erasing and redoing them quite a bit.

    Those little feet and toes are tricky to get right.

    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    Cut out your outline once you are happy with your lizard shape.

    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    Trace and cut out the head onto another small scrap of craft foam.

    Then your child can create an open mouth showing off the turnip-tailed geckos’ important feature of a black mouth interior and pink tongue.

    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    Color with a permanent marker or paint one side of this piece as well as the underside of the head on the main lizard shape black.

    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    Cut a small pink tongue from craft foam.

    Once dried completely glue the mouth and tongue into place, only at the back so it can open.

    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    Draw slits over the googly eyes to give them a bit more of a lizard look and glue them into place.

    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    Finally, add the skin coloration details with markers or paint.

    To give it a more subtle look I painted random squiggles and dots on a scrap of foam and stamped it on the lizard.

    Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: amazon rain forest, crafts, elementary science, geckos, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, homeschoolscience, life science, science, spring crafts

    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    August 10, 2023 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    There are more than 100 different Amazon Rainforest lizards. Too, you’ll love my Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon page.

    Today we are focusing on 10 of the more well-known ones.

    There are fierce hunters, those with beautiful changing skin, swimmers, stalkers, night creepers, and fascinating.

    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    One thing you know about the Amazon rainforest is that it is going to have the most beautiful and amazing creatures in its lush greenery.

    We are doing a super fun craft as well, taking a few discarded items and turning them into a cute replica of the beautiful and fascinating green iguana found in the Amazon Rainforest.

    I highly suggest taking a field trip to a larger pet store and seeing just how many of the Amazon lizards below you can spot. 

    5 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts

    1. Green Iguana – Iguana can grow as large as 6 feet long and weigh almost 18 pounds, with an average of around 9-12 pounds. They are the largest of all the lizards in the Amazon. They can be brownish, orange, gray, lighter or dark green, or even black.
    2. Amazon Bark Anole  – Ambush predators that feed on insects found on the trunks and large limbs of large trees like ants, wasps, beetles, and roaches. Their skin closely resembles the markings of tree bark and can change color on top to help blend in more, this is their main defense mechanism.
    3. Crocodile Tegu- A semi aquatic lizard that has a flattened, paddle-like tail and is found in the Amazon Basin. This lizard feeds on arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
    4. Bridled Forest Gecko- Scurry around the base of trees and in the tree litter. They can be diurnal if they have artificial lighting at night.
    5. Collared Tree Runner- AKA Plica umbra, AKA Jewel of the Amazon is a beautiful species of lizard that looks very chameleon-like, with its array of green, tan, and brown scales. Males have a bright yellow throat, and they are found on branches and tree trunks.

    5 More Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts

    1. Basilisk Lizard-These amazing Amazon dwellers can run at speeds of up to 15 mph and can run on the surface of the water without sinking.
    2. Chameleons- These famous reptiles are known for their ability to change their skin color. They have prehensile tails and feet that split at nearly a 180-degree angle which allows them to have a superior grip on the branches where they live.  
    3. Caiman Lizard- Can grow to2 to 4 feet and up to 10 pounds. They are a semiaquatic species and spend part of their time in the water, an interesting adaptation is a third, clear eyelid that acts like a goggle when submerged.
    4. Banded Tree Anole- These lizards are found at the tops of the tallest Amazon trees and are strictly arboreal and have excellent skin camouflage.
    5. Turnip Tailed Gecko- At not quite 5 inches these lizards are one of only 2 nocturnal lizards. It has flaps of skin that act as a parachute when they jump from trees.
    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    Then, look at some of these resources for a fun study about lizards.

    Amazon Rainforest Lizards Resources

    Grab a reference book like Lizards of the World to find out more about Amazon Rainforest Lizards and others.

    Lizards of the World: A Guide to Every Family (A Guide to Every Family, 1)

    A lavishly illustrated overview of the world’s lizards. Lizards are one of nature’s great success stories: survivors from the time of the dinosaurs, they have taken advantage of almost every habitat on earth, from tropical rainforest to Arctic tundra and even our homes. From chameleons and skinks to geckos and iguanas, there are close to 7,000 species of lizards around the world. This expert guide explores their extraordinary diversity and adaptations.Lizards of the World features an in-depth introduction covering the evolution, anatomy, and lifestyle of lizards, followed by profiles of species from every family, accompanied by stunning color photographs. This invaluable guide highlights the enormous range of habitats, appearance, and activity among lizards. Many thrive in extreme conditions, and have adapted to keep cool, warm, or hydrated. Some can protect themselves by changing color to blend in with their surroundings, while others have fringed toes enabling them to run across sand, or can parachute out of a predator’s reach. Covering diet and reproduction as well as defense strategies and conservation, Lizards of the World showcases the unique natural history and beauty of these remarkable creatures.

    Iguana M Reptile Collection

    Check out this gorgeous Iguana statue for the garden.

    Plastic Lizard Toys

    MULTIPLE SHAPES: These wild reptile lizard toys come in 12 styles and colors and measure 3.1-5.2 inches.

    GET TO KNOW NATURE: Each toy lizard toy has a detailed texture and unique pattern, the lifelike shape can well let children feel the magic and beauty of nature.

    Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

    Nature Anatomy and Wildlife Anatomy are wonderful resources for many nature topics, I did find lovely illustrations with chameleons and anoles included as well as a bit on the rainforest itself.

    Amazon Rainforest Animal Activities

    Also, look at more Amazon Rainforest animal activities.

    • How to Make A Fun Origami Frog Amazon Rainforest Craft
    • Fun Easy Amazon Rainforest Crafts and Make a Bubble Wrap Pattern Anaconda
    • Learn About Mammals In The Amazon Rainforest & Make an Adorable Sloth Craft
    • Blue Morpho Butterfly Adaptations In The Tropical Rainforest and Fun Symmetry Craft
    • Amazon Rainforest Predators and Make a Fun Pasta Emerald Tree Boa
    • Beautiful And Colorful Amazonian Rainforest Animals Lapbook For Kids
    • Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts
    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    Finally, look at this fun Amazon Rainforest lizards iguana craft.

    How to Make an Iguana Lizard Craft

    We are making an iguana with some beautiful orange and green coloring, but you can opt for any of the iguana colors that you wish for your craft.

    You will need:

    • One paper towel roll.
    • Two toilet paper rolls.
    • Orange craft foam
    • Green paint
    • Paintbrush
    • Scissors
    • 2 craft sticks
    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    Cut up the center of one end of the paper towel roll about five or 6 inches and wrap it around itself to create a tapered end.  Use hot glue to secure the taper in place.

    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    Hot glue the tail by inserting the intact end of your paper towel roll inside the first toilet paper roll. Repeat, adding the second toilet paper roll.

    Squeeze together the end of the toilet paper roll and glue it to create a mouth. 

    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    Cut two popsicle sticks into three equal pieces. Hot glue, the rounded ends onto the sides of your iguana for legs.

    Paint the entire thing green and set it aside to dry.

    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    While you’re waiting for your paint to dry, cut an orange fringe the length of the paper towel roll (dorsal crests) out of orange craft foam, four orange feet, and the dewlap hanging under its neck.

    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    Once the paint has dried you can hot glue the fringe on the back.

    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    Glue the dewlap under the neck portion into place.

    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    Add the orange feet that you cut onto the bottom of the green craft stick legs and glue.

    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    Use a black marker or paint to add more details like eyes, nostrils, stripes, etc.

    You can take your iguana on adventures outdoors or display him in the house as you learn about Amazon Rainforest lizards.

    10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: amazon rain forest, animals, crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, life science, lizards, rainforest, science

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