ANIMALS

IMPORTANT TERMS

Adaptation - Changes in feature and behaviour of an organism that help it to survive in its habitat is called adaptation.

Habitat - The place where an animal lives, feeds and reproduces is called its habitat.

Camouflage - Camouflage is the ability to blend in with the surroundings to be able to attack a prey or to protect it from enemies e.g Tigers.

Moulting - Some animals shed old feathers, hair or skin to make way for new growth e.g snakes. This seasonal process is called Moulting.

Migration - It is the seasonal process when animals move in groups for large distances to find food and water e.g Siberian Crane.

Vertebrates – Animal group distinguished by the possession of a backbone or spinal column e.g Dogs.

ANIMAL CLASSIFICATION

Birds – Hot Blooded – Breathe through Lungs - Vertebrates

Reptiles – Cold Blooded – Breathe through Lungs - Vertebrates

Mammals – Hot Blooded – Breathe through Lungs - Vertebrates

Fish – Cold Blooded – Breathe through Gills - Vertebrates

Amphibians – Cold Blooded – Breathe through Lungs & Skin – Vertebrates

Insects – Cold Blooded – Breathe through Spiracles – Invertebrates

Annelids –Cold Blooded – Breathe through Skin – Invertebrates

ANIMALS CLASSIFIED ON EATING HABITS

Herbivores - Animals that eat plants and grass are called herbivores e.g sheep, cows, zebras, deer.

Carnivores - Animals that eat other animals are called carnivores e.g lion, tiger.

Omnivores – Animals, such as bear and man, which eat both plants and animals are called omnivores.

Rodents - Smaller herbivores such as rabbits, rats and squirrels gnaw seeds and fruits. They are called rodents. Rodents have long, sharp front teeth which are used to gnaw seeds and fruits.

ANIMALS CLASSIFIED ON HABITATION

Arboreal animals – Animals who spend most of their lives living on trees e.g Monkeys.

Terrestrial animals – Animals that live on land is called terrestrial animals.

Aquatic animals - Animals living in water is called aquatic animals.

Aerial animals - Animals that can fly are aerial animals like birds.

 

ANIMALS ADAPTATIONS

Proboscis - Proboscis refers to tubular mouthparts used for feeding and sucking.

Pad - Carnivores have pads under their feet which help them to move silently towards their prey.

Talons - Birds of prey have sharp curved claws called talons to catch and grip their prey.

Hooves - Herbivores have hard hooves under their feet to walk on uneven land and surfaces in search of food.

Thick Fur - The thick fur of a polar bear or an arctic fox protects it from extreme cold.

Shell - A very hard outer covering is called a shell. It protects the soft bodies of animals such as snails, tortoises and oysters.

Wool - Sheep have a special body covering called wool that keeps the body warm.

Quills - Quills are the sharp needle like spines on the body of an animal which protect it against enemies like porcupine.

Cuticle - Cuticle is the waxy and water- resistant outer covering of insects.

Scales – Some animals use their wide ventral scales on their belly to grip the ground, while pushing with other scales like Snakes.

INTERESTING FACTS

Birds that cannot fly – Ostrich, Emu.

Bird that is an excellent swimmer – Penguin

Mammal that can fly – Bat

Mammal living in water – Whale, Walrus, Dolphin