Hey there! Squeaks and I just returned from a peaceful forest hike. We love walking through forests because they’re a great place to learn about nature. During our hike, we talked about visiting a redwood forest someday. These special forests grow on the west coast of North America and are actually a type of rainforest!
When we think of rainforests, we usually imagine hot, tropical places with lots of jungle animals. But redwood forests are different. They are cooler, rainy, and foggy, and they have many different kinds of life. One of the coolest things about them is that they have layers, just like a cake or the floors of a building. Different plants and animals live in each layer!
Redwood trees are enormous! Imagine stacking three fully-grown oak trees on top of each other, and they might still be shorter than a redwood. Some redwoods even have trunks big enough to drive a car through! These big trees have lots of branches and needle-like leaves, which act like a giant beach umbrella, keeping most of the Sun’s light from reaching the forest floor.
The bottom layer of the redwood forest is shaded, cool, and damp, which is perfect for certain plants and animals. Plants like mosses and ferns thrive here because they don’t need much sunlight. If you look closely, you might also find animals like salamanders hiding in the cool, wet soil, or even spot a deer or bobcat!
Above the forest floor is the canopy, made mostly of redwood tree branches. These branches sometimes criss-cross, creating a mat thick enough for some animals to walk on. In the middle of the canopy, you might find Humboldt’s Flying Squirrels. These squirrels don’t really fly but glide through the air using a special flap of skin. They spend most of their time here, gliding from tree to tree, looking for food like berries and bird eggs.
At the very top of the canopy, you might see peregrine falcons. These birds eat smaller birds, so living high up makes it easy for them to spot their prey. You might also find other plants, including whole trees, growing on top of the branches. These plants, called epiphytes, get sunlight easily because they’re so high up. They also get water from leaves that fall and turn into a sort of soil, holding enough water for them to grow.
Squeaks asked if other forests have layers, and the answer is yes! Many forests have layers, but they’re not exactly the same as in a redwood forest. Different forests have different trees, sunlight, and rain, making each one unique and interesting to explore.
Thanks for joining us on this adventure! If you want to keep learning and having fun with Squeaks, Jessi, and me, be sure to subscribe to SciShow Kids. See you next time!
Forest Layer Exploration: Create a mini redwood forest model using craft materials like paper, cardboard, and markers. Divide your model into three layers: the forest floor, the canopy, and the upper canopy. Use toy animals or draw pictures of animals that live in each layer and place them in the correct part of your model. Discuss with your friends or family why each animal lives in its specific layer and what makes that layer special for them.
Tree Height Comparison: Go outside and find a tree in your neighborhood or park. With the help of an adult, measure the tree’s height using a tape measure or by estimating with your own height. Compare this tree to a redwood tree by stacking your tree’s height on top of itself multiple times. How many of your trees would it take to reach the height of a redwood? Draw a picture showing the comparison and share it with your class or family.
Animal Movement Game: Pretend to be different animals that live in the redwood forest. Can you glide like a Humboldt’s Flying Squirrel or perch high like a peregrine falcon? Create a small obstacle course in your backyard or living room where you can practice moving like these animals. Think about how each animal’s movement helps it survive in its layer of the forest. Afterward, talk about which animal was your favorite to imitate and why.
