Bighorn Sheep

Adaptation

Antler

The branched, bony structure on the head of adult deer (typically male) that are grown and shed yearly.

Boreal Forest 

A forest ecosystem with mostly coniferous trees and freezing temperatures for more than half the year. Also known as taigas. 

Buoyant

The ability to float.

Competition

An interaction between organisms where both are working to obtain the same resource.

Domesticated Animal

An animal that has been selectively bred that lives under human care and is used for a task, such as labor, food, milk, etc.

Gregarious

Living in a large social group.

Herbivore

An animal that eats mostly plants.

Lichen

An organism formed from a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and alga.

Mammal

A group of endothermic (warm-blooded) vertebrates that are covered in hair, produce milk for offspring,  and generally give birth to live offspring.

Migration

The process of an animal moving to a new location during a specific time of the year.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both parties benefit. 

Predator

An animal that hunts other animals for food.

Prey

An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.

Ruminant

A hooved, herbivorous mammal with a specialized digestive system allowing them to eat plants, regurgitate it, and continue digesting in a different part of their stomach.

Sedentary

An animal that stays in one place.

Species

A closely related group of animals with similar characteristics that are capable of reproducing (example: tigers).

Subspecies

A group of animals within a species that are genetically different from other groups in the same species (there are 6 subspecies of tigers).

Symbiosis

A relationship between different organisms where at least one organism benefits.

An ecosystem characterized by a treeless landscape and freezing temperatures; the soil is permanently frozen.

Velvet

A layer of fuzzy skin providing blood and nutrients to growing antlers.