What’s the difference between a jungle and a rainforest?

A jungle may seem to be similar to a rainforest, but in actuality, there’s a distinct difference. If you’re thinking of towering trees draped with vines, that would be a rainforest. The canopy of a rainforest blocks out light, resulting in fewer ground plants and thus rainforests are easier to travel through. A jungle, on the other hand, can exist on the fringes of a rainforest, but the thick undergrowth requires more light. Jungles will often be found where rainforest has been opened up through natural disturbances, like a fire, hurricane, or river. Mangroves thrive where tropical rivers meet the ocean salt water, creating a submerged forest of roots and waterways.