Image # 9909
Spiny Katydid - An Example of Rain Forest Biodiversity Male spiny katydids, native to the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, attract females by singing a high pitched whistling song throughout the night. Females listen by moving their feet forward (their ears are located on their front legs). Although the katydids are only 2.5 to 3 inches in length, scientists have observed these small insects successfully fending off monkeys and birds by batting at them with their spiny front legs. Tropical rain forests provide habitat for millions of plant and animal species, and continued deforestation is expected to result in the extinction of thousands of species each year.
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