Wildlife & Ecology Vocabulary
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Bask
[For cold-blooded animals]: To lay out in the sun or other warm area to increase body temperature. Basking allows reptiles and amphibians to warm their bodies. This is important for bodily functions, such as digesting food.
After feeding on algae in the cold waters around the Galapagos Islands, marine iguanas bask on the beach in huge groups. Their dark scales absorb sunlight quickly.
Acclimation
The process by which an animal becomes more fit for its environment over the course of its lifetime. Acclimation is different than adaptation because acclimation occurs within one generation.
Adaptation
The process by which a species becomes more fit for its environment over the course of several generations. It is a result of natural selection.
Ambush
The act of sneaking up on prey.
Amphibian
A group of ectothermic (cold-blooded) vertebrates that have permeable skin, lay eggs, and develop through metamorphosis.
Antler
The branched, bony structure on the head of adult deer (typically male) that are grown and shed yearly.
Aquatic
Living in water.
Arboreal
Living in the trees.
Bask
[For ectotherms (cold-blooded animals)]: To lay out in the sun or other warm area to increase body temperature.
Beak
The extended jaw of a bird (also known as a bill).
Bergmann's Rule
An ecological trend where animals within a species (mainly mammals and birds) are larger the further from the equator.
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Bird
A group of endothermic (warm-blooded) vertebrates that have wings and feathers and also lay eggs!
Boreal Forest
A forest ecosystem with mostly coniferous trees and freezing temperatures for more than half the year. Also known as taigas.
Brachiation
A form of locomotion commonly used by primates involving swinging from tree branch to tree branch using their arms.
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Brumation
Occurs when a cold-blooded animal lowers their body temperature and slows their body function during the cold months.
Camouflage
The ability for an organism to blend into their surroundings usually to hide from prey or predators.
Canopy
The upper layer of the forest where most of the tree branches and leaves are.
Carnivore
An animal that eats primarily meat.
Cartilage
Flexible but firm connective tissue that makes up parts of the human nose and ears, along with shark and ray skeletons.
Casque
A structure attached to the top of some bird species' bills (hornbills).
Chaparral
An ecosystem found near coasts with hot summers and cool, rainy winters and vegetation ranging from small trees to shrubs and grasses.
Climate Change
A change in global weather patterns as a result of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Commensalism
A symbiotic relationship where one party benefits and the other is not affected.
Competition
An interaction between organisms where both are working to obtain the same resource.
Conservation
The preservation of something.
Convergent Evolution
The process where two different species in similar environments or with similar needs develop similar adaptations.
Crepuscular
Being most active at dawn and dusk.
Critically Endangered
An IUCN rating indicating a species with an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Deforestation
The process of removing trees by cutting them down or burning them to harvest their resources or make room for something else.
Desert
Ecosystems that receive very little rainfall, usually no more than 20-inches per year and sometimes, much less. Not all deserts are hot.
Dirunal
To be most active during the daytime.
Disruptive Coloration
[Camouflage] When an animal's colors or patterns breakup the outline of its body making it harder for a predator to spot them.
Ecological Footprint
The impact of a person or community on the environment through their use of natural resources and waste production.
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Ecosystem
An ecological region or environment whose living and nonliving organisms interact to form a system.
Ecosystem Engineer
A species that creates, destroys, or maintains an ecosystem.
Ecotourism
Tourism activities that take place in nature and are designed to inspire people to conserve the natural world.
Ectotherm
An animal that relies on the outside temperature to regulate their body temperature (reptiles and amphibians). Also known as cold-blooded.
Endangered
An IUCN rating indicating a species that is threatened with extinction throughout its native range.
Endemic
Only found in one location. The saguaro cactus is endemic to the Sonoran Desert like koalas are endemic to Australia.
Endotherm
An animal that regulates their body temperature internally (mammals and birds). Also known as warm-blooded.
Environmental Indicator
A species whose presence or absence represents the health of an ecosystem.
Evolution
The theory that heritable characteristics of a species change over generations to help that species better survive their environment.
Extinct
A species that once existed that has no living individuals.
Eyespots
Large, eye-like spots on an animal's side or back used to confuse predators.
Fish
A group of ectothermic (cold-blooded) animals that live primarily or entirely in water, have fins instead of limbs, and breathe using gills.
Fledge
[For bird chicks] To develop flight feathers and the ability to fly and live independently.
Forest
Regions where the main plants are trees that are close together and form a closed canopy.
Freshwater Ecosystem
Regions of Earth's water systems that have a low salt content and are usually found inland. Examples include lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands, and springs.
Frugivore
An animal whose diet consists of mostly fruit.
Fungus
A group of spore-producing organisms that feed on organic matter (ex. mushrooms, mold, etc.).
Gland
An organ that produces substances useful for survival (ex. sweat glands, venom glands, preening glands).
Granivore
An animal that eats primarily nuts and seeds (grains).
Grassland
An ecosystem with vegetation mostly consisting of grasses with few trees or shrubs and little precipitation.
Gregarious
Living in a large social group.
Habitat Degradation
Occurs when a natural habitat is damaged by pollution, unsustainable resource use, or other human-related actions.
Habitat Fragmentation
Occurs when large areas of natural habitat are divided and separated by human development such as roads, towns, or croplands. This results in human-wildlife conflict and inbreeding.
Habitat Loss
Occurs when habitats are destroyed and changed into human-managed land such as cropland, towns, or dams.
Herbivore
An animal that eats primarily plants.
Hibernation
An extended state of decreased activity and metabolic rate in endothermic (warm-blooded) animals during winter seasons.
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Incubate
To warm an egg or chick by sitting on them in the nest.
Insectivore
Diet consisting primarily of insects, like an anteater!
Insular Dwarfism
A phenomenon that occurs when an organism becomes smaller when isolated on an island usually due to increased predation pressure and lack of food.
Insular Gigantism
A phenomenon that occurs when an organism becomes larger when isolated on an island usually due to a lack of predators and abundant food.
Invasive Species
An organism that has established a population somewhere it is not native.
Invertebrate
An animal that has no bones.
IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the organization responsible for identifying the conservation status and needs of animals and habitats globally.
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Keratin
A structural protein that makes up hair and fur, along with rhinoceros horns, porcupine quills, and part of turtle shells.
Keystone Species
A species whose presence has an unusually high impact on the ecosystem relative to its population size.
Larva
The immature phase of an animal that undergoes metamorphosis, like a butterfly or tadpole.
Mammal
A group of endothermic (warm-blooded) vertebrates that are covered in hair, produce milk for offspring, and generally give birth to live offspring.
Marine Ecosystem
An aquatic ecosystem with high salt content commonly known as oceans.
Matriarchy
A social society lead by females who are more dominant than the males.
Metamorphosis
The process of an animal changing and developing from an egg to an adult through different life phases.
Migration
The process of an animal moving to a new location during a specific time of the year.
Mimicry
When an animal resembles something in its environment or a different species.
Molt
[Invertebrate] The process of shedding its exoskeleton. [Bird] The process of shedding and regrowing feathers.
Monogamous
Having one mate per breeding season.
Mutualism
A symbiotic relationship where both parties benefit.
Natal Homing
The process of an animal returning to its birth place to reproduce.
Natural Selection
The theory that nature favors individuals within a species who have characteristics that make them more successful in their environment.
Near Threatened
An IUCN rating indicating a species which is not currently threatened, but may become threatened in the near future.
Nocturnal
To be most active at nighttime.
Offspring
An animal's baby or young.
Omnivore
An animal that eats both plants and animals.
Ossicone
Horn-like structures made of hardened cartilage on giraffes and male okapis.
Oviparous
To lay eggs.
Parasitism
A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is harmed.
Parthenogenesis
A reproductive strategy occurring in some reptiles and invertebrates where females can produce offspring without breeding with a male.
Permeable
Allowing liquid, nutrients, or other chemicals to pass through.
Pheromone
A communication chemical used to signal information to members of the same species.
Plankton
Small organisms that free-float through in the ocean or freshwater, such as krill, fish eggs, and microscopic algae.
Poaching
The illegal hunting or collection of wild animals.
Poison
A toxin that is harmful when touched or eaten and is often produced in glands.
Pollution
Toxins or other harmful substances that have entered the environment and harm the natural world.
Predator
An animal that hunts other animals for food.
Preen
How a bird cleans and straightens its feathers (often using oil produced by their preening gland).
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Prehensile
Having the ability to grasp.
Prey
An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.
Rainforest
A forest ecosystem characterized by tall evergreen trees and heavy, consistent rainfall. Also known as a tropical forest.
Reproduce
To mate and have offspring.
Reptile
A group of ectothermic (cold-blooded) vertebrates that are covered in scales and generally lay eggs.
Roost
When a bird settles in to sleep or rest for a period of time.
Savanna
An ecosystem characterized by having an open tree canopy (where the trees do not touch) and a rainy and dry season.
Secrete
To produce or discharge a substance (such as a poison dart frog secreting poison).
Sexual Dimorphism
A significant difference in size, color, or other physical characteristic between males and females of the same species.
Solitary
To live alone.
Spawn
A type of reproduction that occurs when animals release eggs and sperm into water.
Species
A closely related group of animals with similar characteristics that are capable of reproducing (example: flamingos).
Subspecies
A group of animals within a species that are genetically different from other groups in the same species (example: African leopard, Indian leopard, Javan leopard, etc.).
Sustainability
The act of advancing human technology and resources while reducing our negative impact on the environment.
Symbiosis
A relationship between different organisms where at least one organism benefits.
Talons
Strong, claw-like feet of birds of prey used for hunting.
Taxonomy
The scientific study of identifying, describing, and classifying organisms.
Temperate Forest
Forests with mostly broad-leaved deciduous trees that often receive heavy rainfall in the summer and snow in the winter.
Temperate Grassland
An ecosystem dominated by grasses in nutrient-rich soil that receives very little rainfall.
Terrestrial
A plant or animal that lives on land.
Theory
An explanation of a natural phenomenon that is supported by facts and hypotheses.
Thermoregulate
The process of an animal controlling its body temperature through physical adaptations or behaviors.
Toxin
Naturally occurring substances that can harm humans and other organisms.
Tropical
A region near the equator that has warm temperatures year round.
Tropical Grassland
A ecosystem near the equator dominated by grasses in low-nutrient soil and seasonal rains followed by extended drought.
Tundra
An ecosystem characterized by a treeless landscape and freezing temperatures; the soil is permanently frozen.
Venom
A toxin that causes harm when injected, typically with a stinger or fangs.
Vertebrate
An animal that has a backbone.
Viviparous
To have live offspring rather than laying eggs.
Vulnerable
An IUCN rating indicating a species which will become threatened if current trends continue.
Wetland
An ecosystem that is covered by salt or freshwater either permanently or seasonally.
Wildlife Conservation
The process of protecting and preserving wild animals and their habitats.
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