Forest Plants & Animals

Knowing which plants and animals commonly inhabit forests could make woodland walks more interesting and satisfying and improve your understanding of the world. The variety of forest flora and fauna found in tree-dense areas depends very much on the type of forest and what part of the world it is in.

People in the U.S. are most familiar with deciduous forests, as these are commonplace in the eastern states as well as across Europe and parts of Asia. Deciduous forests grow in areas with temperate climates, so animals and plants that live there are adapted for colder conditions.

Deciduous Forest Animals**

Some of the creatures that inhabit deciduous forests include brown and black bears, foxes, raccoons and grey squirrels. Insects and arachnids are also quite common in these forests an include many species of spiders, ants, ticks, beetles, and more.

Many tree-dwelling animals call this forest home like nesting birds, birds of prey like red-tailed hawks, chipmunks, owls, and woodpeckers.

**Deciduous Forest Plants**

The trees lose their leaves in the fall and, depending on where in the world the forest lies, may include species such as red and white oak, yellow buckeye, white basswood, American beech and white ash. Smaller plants include Dutchman's breeches, sassafras and redbud.

Just a few of the animals inhabiting rainforests include:

• boa constrictors
• spider monkeys
• toucans
• gorillas
• jaguars
• sloths
• macaws

Frogs, snakes and insects are also abundant in these tropical climates.

Temperate rainforests are not as widespread as their tropical counterparts. They grow in some parts of New Zealand and Chile, but are most common on the northwest coast of North America, from southern Alaska to California.

Temperate Rainforest Animals

Animals that inhabit these areas include coyotes, deer and bears as well as blue grouse and another bird called Clark's nutcracker.

Temperate Rainforest Plants

Coniferous trees like western red cedar, mountain hemlock, lodgepole pine and Douglas fir are common here. Other plants include the Indian paintbrush and various mosses and lichens.

Boreal forests exist in North America, Europe and Asia. The climate is cold with heavy snowfall, which affects which animals and plants live there.

Boreal Forest Animals

Animals that live in these areas include elk, snowshoe hares, porcupines, bobcats and amur tigers.

Boreal Forest Plants

Coniferous trees are the dominant species, including pines, larches, hemlocks, spruces and firs. This is likely because of their durability and their ability to thrive in harsher climates like a snow-heavy boreal forest. Various forms of mosses and lichens also grow in boreal forests.