Discover the four layers of the forest—and the animals living in it

One of the most beautiful layers of the forest is the canopy, which receives lots of sunlight. Let's take a look at what this environment is like and which canopy animals live there.

What is a canopy in a forest?

Above the understory is the third layer, the canopy, which typically contains the majority of the animals living in the forest. Standing dozens to over a hundred feet above the ground, the canopy consists of overlapping tall trees that act as a roof over the entire forest.

Canopy layer animals

Animals in the canopy of the rainforest are typically good at climbing, gliding, and flying. The canopy is rich with fruits and nuts, which means plant-eating animals can thrive there. Many apes and monkeys inhabit the canopy, as they are capable of swinging across high tree branches.

Apes

In Southeast Asia, you might find bright orange orangutans climbing high above you. Forest canopies in South and Southeast Asia also host gibbons, known as lesser apes, whose long, flexible arms make them skilled acrobats.

Slow lorises

The slow loris, the world's only venomous primate, is another animal of the canopy. Slow loris species are found in Southeast Asia, where they serve as occasional prey for orangutans as well as snakes and eagles. These small mammals consume nectar and transfer pollen between flowers. They also eat fruit and spread seeds through their faeces.

Javan leaf monkeys

In the tallest forests of Java, Indonesia, you may find Javan leaf monkeys (Presbytis comata), who prefer the middle and highest parts of the canopy. They feed primarily on fruits and seeds, contributing to the continuous pruning of trees, which helps sunlight reach the forest floor and enables the growth of new plants.

In 2025, the Javan leaf monkey is listed as vulnerable to extinction, and there are thought to be just 5,500 mature individuals left in the wild.

Koalas

In the eucalyptus forests of Australia, you'll find koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) high up in trees. These unique marsupials consume up to 1.3 kilograms (2.9 pounds) of leaves every day, but they are very sedentary animals, spending 18 to 22 hours a day sleeping.

Like the Javan leaf monkey, these forest animals are also vulnerable to extinction and have a decreasing population in 2025.

Tree kangaroos

In Australia and New Guinea, you'll also find the elusive tree kangaroos. There are 14 species of tree kangaroo, all under one metre tall. They all have long, bushy tails that they push against tree trunks for balance and stability. They also have long, muscular arms and curved, sharp claws that are perfect for climbing.

Spider monkeys

Spider monkeys inhabit the canopies of Central and South America, eating fruit and dispersing seeds through their droppings. Their feeding and movements are crucial in maintaining plant life in tropical forests. Their long, prehensile tails function as a fifth limb and make them extremely adept at swinging from tree to tree.

Emergent layer