Rain Forest

This stunningly photographed National Geographic Special explores the plant and animal life of Costa Rica's densely foliated rain forest. Using time-lapse photography, the filmmakers capture a sampling of the extraordinary myriad of exotic inhabitants. Leaf-cutting ants are shown carrying many times their weight to underground fungus gardens. Seldom seen golden frogs, which are believed to mate in an area covering one square mile (and nowhere else on earth!), are featured, along with a basilisk lizard that can literally walk on water. And the night life of the rain forest reveals its share of strange and disturbing sights. What is most disturbing, though, is the fact that unless attitudes are changed, most countries will lose their rain forests during our lifetimes--which means that many species will simply disappear due to the demands of logging and development. Highly recommended for public and school libraries, with the warning that some scenes may be too intense for smaller children.