Usually trees are very straight and reach heights of between 100 and 150 feet. The lower canopy is the richest layer in terms of animal and plant life. Most of the mammals that live in the canopy are nocturnal. The understory extends from the forest floor up to about 80 feet and contains a mix of saplings, tall shrubs, vines and palms. Leaves are often long and pointed, the ends of which form 'drip tips' allowing excess water to run off quickly.
Little sunlight filters into the understory which makes it dark and humid.
The floor of the rainforest teems with life. Millions of termites, beetles, centipedes and ants can be found in one acre of rainforest. Lowland Rainforest Scientists have identified more than 40 types of lowland rainforest. They cover a greater land area than other types of rainforest, the two largest regions being in Africa and South America. Some lowland rainforests contain swamp forests.