Page 216 - An Anthology of Intriguing Animals (DK)

Glossary

algae Simple, plantlike life-forms mostly found in water, echolocation Using sound to determine how far away an
including the ocean. They can be tiny and too small for us object is by listening for the echo from a call. Dolphins and
to see, or very large, such as seaweeds some bats use echolocation to find their way around

amphibian Animal with a backbone that usually spends endangered When an animal becomes very rare in the
part of its life in water and the rest on land. It usually wild. If we do not do something to help, the animal might
develops from an egg to a larva, and then into an adult. disappear forever and go extinct
Frogs and newts are examples of amphibians
excavate Dig up
antennae Sensitive feelers on the head of an insect,
usually in pairs. Insects use their antennae to feel, extinct When the last member of a species dies and
smell, and taste the world around them there are no more of its kind left anywhere on Earth

antlers Horn-like bones that grow on a deer’s head fish Animal with a backbone that usually spends its whole
life in water and breathes using gills. Many fish have a
apes Group of mammals with big brains that are very bony skeleton, but fish such as sharks and rays have
clever with their hands, including gorillas and orangutans flexible skeletons made from a material called cartilage

bird Animal with a backbone that has a hard beak and fungi Life-forms, such as molds and mushrooms, that
feathers. Most birds can fly, and all lay hard-shelled eggs usually feed on rotting food
for which they often make a nest
gills Organs used to breathe underwater. Fish and some
blowhole Hole on the top of the head through which amphibians have gills
whales and dolphins breathe
habitat Place where animals, plants, and other living
blubber Thick layer of fat under the skin of some animals, things are found. Habitats can be on land or in water.
such as penguins, seals, and whales. It keeps them warm in Many species live only in particular types of habitat
very cold habitats
herbivore Animal that eats only plants
camouflage Color or pattern that disguises an animal
where it lives, to help it hide from attackers hibernation Deep sleep that some animals fall into over
winter. It can last for many months
captivity When an animal is kept by humans in a cage
or zoo and is not living in the wild insect Animal with three pairs of legs and a body in three
sections. These are the head, the thorax (in the middle),
carcass Dead body of an animal and the abdomen (at the back). Many insects also have
two pairs of wings
coral reef Habitat found mainly in warm shallow seas.
It is made from the rock-hard skeletons of billions of tiny invertebrate Animal with no backbone such as insects,
animals called corals spiders, crabs, and starfish

desert Habitat found where there is very little rainfall. larvae Young of certain animals such as insects,
Deserts are usually sandy, and can be hot or cold amphibians, and jellyfish

domestic animal Animal that is bred to be kept by legend Story from a long time ago that may or may not
humans, either for meat, wool, and to do work, or as a pet be true

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