Picking a favorite animal is very difficult. The number of plants and animals, or biodiversity, in the rainforest makes for some very interesting critters. Here's what the team thinks when pressured to answer this difficult question:
Dave - Sloth
Patrick - Pink River Dolphin
Anna - Giant Anteater
Ruben - Macaw
Warren - any kind of fish

What is the food like in Peru? Where do people in Peru eat? Submitted by Dunne Elementary

The food in Peru is very good. People in Peru eat some foods we are used, and also eat things that we normally don't think of. Much of the food in the Peruvian Amazon comes from the rainforest. Yucca, bananas, and other plants make up a significant part of the average rainforest dweller. Meat comes from animals hunted in the rainforest or fished in the river or waterways.

Most of the people who live in Peru eat at places similar to where we eat. Most of the rainforest dwellers eat at home, while people in the cities can eat at home or at restaurants.

What is the tallest tree in the rainforest? Submitted by Dunne Elementary

This is a hard question to answer. However, most people agree that the tallest tree in the South American rainforest is the Kapok tree. It can grow to a height of over 150 feet. Many plants and animals grow and live in the branches of the kapok tree. Birds nest in it, and mammals use the huge branches as highways.

The kapok tree towers over the emergent layer of the rainforest. It's giant branches offer shade to plants and animals below. The sun near the equator is very intense and many plants cannot survive direct contact with the sun.

In many places the straight trunks of the kapok tree are used to make dugout canoes. The kapok tree's seed coverings are used in bed mattresses, life jackets, pillows, and other padding materials.

How does the deforestation affect the nomadic people living in the Amazon Rainforest? submitted by Mr. Williams

Deforestation plays a significant role in the lives and traditions of
indigineous Amazon cultures. Most cultures in the Amazon are less nomadic than
other indigenous cultures on other continents. This is because the rainforest
is a great provider, and simply people don't have to travel as far for
subsistance. Amazon cultures don't have to follow animal migration, but they do
use the waterways for travel and trade with other villages.

Some cultures are still very far removed from the modern world and are fiercly
protective of their occupied land. There may even be cultures that have yet to
be "discovered." However, roads, logging, and other invasive practices are too
overwhelming for many native peoples and villages. This causes two cultures to
clash (modern and indigenous). When this happens, the results can be very
catastrophic to the native culture affecting all facets of life: traditional
practices, economies, hunting and fishing, and beliefs. To shift from a
subsistant hunter-gather culture to a culture that produces items for convience
can have long lasting impacts, and the knowledge and lifestyles of the natives
usually gets lost during the assmiliation process.

How many trips have you gone on? Submitted by Hibbard School

Project Peru 2 will be The Wilderness Classroom's 8th online learning adventure.
We've traveled to northern Manitoba by dogsled twice, Peru by canoe, explored
Costa Rica, canoed the length of the Mississippi River, and canoed the Minnesota
-Ontario border to Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada.

To learn more about our previous adventures, visit the Previous Adventures
section of our website. You can see all of the photos, journals, and videos.

Is it fun figuring out all of the facts about the animals and the rainforest? submitted by Amboy Junior High

I love to learn about the rainforest. I've been learning about the rainforest
since I was very young. Animals and plants and people living in the
rainforest have always been interesting to me.

There are many people who have helped me learn along the way. I've had
teachers, scientists, and people who live in the rainforest teach me so much
about the forest's plants and animals. I've also read many books and done
research on the internet to find out more information.

Are you afraid of any animals in the rainforest? submitted by Amboy Junior High

We have to be very careful of animals when we're in the rainforest. Most
animals are harmless, and they are more afraid of us than we are of them. The
animals we are most afraid of are the animals we can barely see. Insects,
some spiders, and micro-organisms are the most dangerous animals, because you
might not always be able to see them. We don't worry about jaguars,
anacondas, or other predators, because they are very rare and don't bother
people too much.

Are you afraid of spiders in the rainforest? Submitted by Amboy Junior High

Spiders are a very important part of the rainforest. They eat insects,
mosquitoes, and other bugs that could cause us harm. There are some spiders
that we need to stay away from. But, if you leave them alone, they leave you
alone.

Where do you sleep at night? In a house or out in the wilderness? Submitted by Amboy Junior High

At night we sleep in hammocks tied between two trees in the rainforest. The
towns located in the rainforest are very far apart from each other, so we
mostly sleep in the forest.

Why do you have to take so many shots. Do you have to take them every day? Submitted by Amboy Junior High

We take shots before we leave for the rainforest to keep us healthy during the
adventure. The shots are immunizations against diseases that are common in the rainforest. To learn more about immunizations watch the video "Shot In the Arm" from Update 1.

How do you protect yourself? Submitted by Dunne Elementary School

The best way to protect ourselves in the rainforest is through knowledge. We have spent years researching and discovering things about the plants, animals, and people of the Amazon rainforest. When you learn about a plant or animal, you can also learn which plants and animals to avoid. Some plants and animals can make people sick or pack a strong bite. It's very important that we remember that we are guests in the forest, and we are entering an animal or plant's habitat. So we are careful what we touch, where we set up camp, how we paddle our canoes, and where we walk.

We already have several bites, mostly from mosquitoes, sand fleas, and horse flies.
When we begin paddling we will meet several more bugs!

I have a riddle for you guys.
I have a long slender snout.
I live in troical wetlands.
I am usually 7 to 15 feet long.
What am I? Submitted by Lauren at Caldwell School

Great riddle Lauren. We think the answer is a caiman. Are we right?

I am a big I have thing on my face
I am one of the largest animals in the world
what am I submitted by Caldwell Elementary

Are you a tapir? The tapir is the biggest mammal in South America. It is like a cross between a pig, a hippo, and a horse!

What are the hights of the plants in the Amazon?What type of plants are
in the Canopy?What Abiotic Conditions are inthe Understory? submitted by Caldwell Elementary

The heights of the plants in the Amazon range from just a couple of inches to 150 feet. Trees in the canopy include kapok trees, rubber trees, mahogany trees, and many more.
There are also cactus, bromeliads, and epiphytes that grow in the canopy on the trees. The under-story has high humidity, low wind, and low light, and is cooler than the canopy because it is shaded.

We read today about the poisonous millipedes in the rain forest. Abby
would like to know if the millipedes here in Illinois also protect themselves
with poison? Submitted by Mrs. Doxstader's Class at CR Hanna

We aren’t sure about that question, but we think that the millipedes are not as poisonous as they are in the Amazon. Maybe you can look that up and let us know!

Do you have any love ones at home? if you do why dont you spend time with them? Submitted by Everett School

Yes, we have many family and friends at home. We love to spend time with them, and we do at other times throughout the year. We love to explore and work with you as well, so we try to find a balance between all of it. Sometimes it is hard to be away from the ones we love; it makes us thankful for what we have back home.

If you have no idea where you are going, what will you use to find out where you are going? Submitted by Everett School

We have several maps of the Pacaya-Samiria Nature Preserve that we will be using regularly. We also have our friend Warren with us who grew up in this area and knows the rivers well. Additionally, rivers only flow one way!

How do you know who's the leader? Submitted by Everett School

Dave is the leader of Project Peru 2. He has gone on 8 learning adventures with Wilderness Classroom and knows a lot about how all of the equipment and other details work.

Is it really hard to live without things you really like? Submitted by Dunne

Sometimes it is difficult to live without things we like in the United States, but there are several things that we really like here. Most of us prefer to be in nature than in the city. It can be difficult to live without cold things, like ice cubes! One of the hardest things here is the unsanitary conditions. There is no sewage system and there are very few ways to sanitize things our belongings and our hands. It is also hard to be without conveniences like running water and air conditioning, but overall we like roughing it a little bit!

What kind of species is a Killi Fish? Submitted by Dunne

The annual killifish is of the pterolebias species. They lay their eggs in muddy leaves. As the water dries up each year, the adult killifish die, but the eggs survive and hatch months later when the rainy season returns.

The following riddles were submitted by CR Hanna Elementary. They're so great, even though they're not questions, we wanted to post them. The answers can be found at the bottom.

Rain Forest Riddles
by
Fourth & Fifth Grade HAWK Students

Riddle #1

What runs, but never walks and has a mouth, but never talks?

Riddle #2

I am a common monkey.
I usually live along rivers and streams.
I am usually quiet, but cry when alarmed.
I make my way from tree to tree.
My first name sounds like you could scare me off a bird feeder.

What am I?

Riddle #3

I am six inches long and weigh six ounces.
I am the world’s smallest monkey.
I am a rare animal.
My first name is the world’s second largest island.
I gnaw holes in trees to lap sap.

What am I?

Riddle #4

I live in the rain forest.
I fly and am the color of a plum.
I love to eat insects.

What am I?

Riddle #5

I live in the water in the rain forest.
I am a mammal a color that is a favorite of little girls.
I used to be unthreatened, but am now endangered.

What am I?

Riddle #6

I’m very tiny.
It looks like I have a beard.
Some people think I’m cute,
But some don’t.

What am I?

Riddle #7

I am a bird.
I can weigh over two pounds.
I am a member of the parrot family.
I live in tall trees near rivers & costal areas.
I am usually very colorful.

What am I?

Riddle #8

I am a plant.
There are about 150 types of me.
Only 2 types of me are used for food and perfumes.
I smell very good.
I am also a flavor of ice cream.

What am I?

Answers:

Riddle #1 Amazon River

Riddle #2 Squirrel Monkey

Riddle #3 Pygmy Marmoset

Riddle #4 Purple Martin

Riddle #5 Pink River Dolphin

Riddle #6 Pygmy Marmoset

Riddle #7 MacCaw

Riddle #8 Vanilla

Picking a favorite animal is very difficult. The number of plants and animals, or biodiversity, in the rainforest makes for some very interesting critters. Here's what the team thinks when pressured to answer this difficult question:
Dave - Sloth
Patrick - Pink River Dolphin
Anna - Giant Anteater
Ruben - Macaw
Warren - any kind of fish

What is the food like in Peru? Where do people in Peru eat? Submitted by Dunne Elementary

The food in Peru is very good. People in Peru eat some foods we are used, and also eat things that we normally don't think of. Much of the food in the Peruvian Amazon comes from the rainforest. Yucca, bananas, and other plants make up a significant part of the average rainforest dweller. Meat comes from animals hunted in the rainforest or fished in the river or waterways.

Most of the people who live in Peru eat at places similar to where we eat. Most of the rainforest dwellers eat at home, while people in the cities can eat at home or at restaurants.

What is the tallest tree in the rainforest? Submitted by Dunne Elementary

This is a hard question to answer. However, most people agree that the tallest tree in the South American rainforest is the Kapok tree. It can grow to a height of over 150 feet. Many plants and animals grow and live in the branches of the kapok tree. Birds nest in it, and mammals use the huge branches as highways.

The kapok tree towers over the emergent layer of the rainforest. It's giant branches offer shade to plants and animals below. The sun near the equator is very intense and many plants cannot survive direct contact with the sun.

In many places the straight trunks of the kapok tree are used to make dugout canoes. The kapok tree's seed coverings are used in bed mattresses, life jackets, pillows, and other padding materials.

How does the deforestation affect the nomadic people living in the Amazon Rainforest? submitted by Mr. Williams

Deforestation plays a significant role in the lives and traditions of
indigineous Amazon cultures. Most cultures in the Amazon are less nomadic than
other indigenous cultures on other continents. This is because the rainforest
is a great provider, and simply people don't have to travel as far for
subsistance. Amazon cultures don't have to follow animal migration, but they do
use the waterways for travel and trade with other villages.

Some cultures are still very far removed from the modern world and are fiercly
protective of their occupied land. There may even be cultures that have yet to
be "discovered." However, roads, logging, and other invasive practices are too
overwhelming for many native peoples and villages. This causes two cultures to
clash (modern and indigenous). When this happens, the results can be very
catastrophic to the native culture affecting all facets of life: traditional
practices, economies, hunting and fishing, and beliefs. To shift from a
subsistant hunter-gather culture to a culture that produces items for convience
can have long lasting impacts, and the knowledge and lifestyles of the natives
usually gets lost during the assmiliation process.

How many trips have you gone on? Submitted by Hibbard School

Project Peru 2 will be The Wilderness Classroom's 8th online learning adventure.
We've traveled to northern Manitoba by dogsled twice, Peru by canoe, explored
Costa Rica, canoed the length of the Mississippi River, and canoed the Minnesota
-Ontario border to Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada.

To learn more about our previous adventures, visit the Previous Adventures
section of our website. You can see all of the photos, journals, and videos.

Is it fun figuring out all of the facts about the animals and the rainforest? submitted by Amboy Junior High

I love to learn about the rainforest. I've been learning about the rainforest
since I was very young. Animals and plants and people living in the
rainforest have always been interesting to me.

There are many people who have helped me learn along the way. I've had
teachers, scientists, and people who live in the rainforest teach me so much
about the forest's plants and animals. I've also read many books and done
research on the internet to find out more information.

Are you afraid of any animals in the rainforest? submitted by Amboy Junior High

We have to be very careful of animals when we're in the rainforest. Most
animals are harmless, and they are more afraid of us than we are of them. The
animals we are most afraid of are the animals we can barely see. Insects,
some spiders, and micro-organisms are the most dangerous animals, because you
might not always be able to see them. We don't worry about jaguars,
anacondas, or other predators, because they are very rare and don't bother
people too much.

Are you afraid of spiders in the rainforest? Submitted by Amboy Junior High

Spiders are a very important part of the rainforest. They eat insects,
mosquitoes, and other bugs that could cause us harm. There are some spiders
that we need to stay away from. But, if you leave them alone, they leave you
alone.

Where do you sleep at night? In a house or out in the wilderness? Submitted by Amboy Junior High

At night we sleep in hammocks tied between two trees in the rainforest. The
towns located in the rainforest are very far apart from each other, so we
mostly sleep in the forest.

Why do you have to take so many shots. Do you have to take them every day? Submitted by Amboy Junior High

We take shots before we leave for the rainforest to keep us healthy during the
adventure. The shots are immunizations against diseases that are common in the rainforest. To learn more about immunizations watch the video "Shot In the Arm" from Update 1.

How do you protect yourself? Submitted by Dunne Elementary School

The best way to protect ourselves in the rainforest is through knowledge. We have spent years researching and discovering things about the plants, animals, and people of the Amazon rainforest. When you learn about a plant or animal, you can also learn which plants and animals to avoid. Some plants and animals can make people sick or pack a strong bite. It's very important that we remember that we are guests in the forest, and we are entering an animal or plant's habitat. So we are careful what we touch, where we set up camp, how we paddle our canoes, and where we walk.