Tools Scientists Use

 

Here are some tools that scientists use in the rainforest to collect data. The basket captures a variety of materials that fall from above such as leaves, berries, seed pods, flowers, and small branches. Cameras are used to track the activities of both diurnal and nocturnal animals. Scientists check the photo feed from cameras every day. Yesterday we saw some very cool pictures of three large mother iguanas that were digging a nest to lay eggs. These cameras help Dr. Willis track the activities of her beloved ocelots.

There are scientists and research students here from all over the world. The BBC is here filming the ocelots for a documentary on wildcats. 

Plant Adaptations

As I'm sitting here enjoying the Rainforest oxygen bar, I'm reflecting on amazing plant survival strategies. Many of the plants that are low to the ground have large sized leaves stretching toward the sun. Can you see the large leaves on the trunk of this spiky palm? Speaking of spikes, we have to look before we touch the trunks of trees! Notice the huge spikes on the white Kapok tree. The spikes protect the trunk from hungry peccaries.