| adaptation |
a particular change in the body of a living thing that helps the animal or plant to survive under new conditions. An adaptation happens over a very long time. [1/4 definitions] |
| adopt |
to become a parent of (a child) by law, or to accept an animal as a pet and become responsible for it. [1/3 definitions] |
| adult |
an animal or plant that is fully grown and mature. [1/4 definitions] |
| albino |
a human or animal that is born without normal coloring. Albinos have very pale skin and hair and pink eyes. Plants can also be albinos. |
| allergy |
a condition in which a person's body has an unusual reaction to certain things. An allergy can cause itching, coughing, sneezing, or trouble breathing. Allergies to animal hair, pollen, and certain foods are among the most common. |
| alpaca |
an animal with long legs and a long neck. Alpacas live in the mountains of South America. They are mammals closely related to llamas and to camels. Alpacas are raised for their long, soft wool. |
| amphibian |
a small animal that spends part of its life cycle in water and part of its life cycle on land. Amphibians hatch in water and breathe with gills. Then they develop lungs so the adults can breathe air. Amphibians are cold-blooded animals with skeletons inside their bodies. Frogs, toads, and salamanders are amphibians. [1/2 definitions] |
| anatomical |
of or relating to the structure of a plant or animal. |
| animal rights |
a movement that works for the rights of animals. People in favor of animal rights believe that animals should not be hurt or killed just to make the lives of humans easier. |
| antelope |
an animal with horns, a long neck, long legs, and hooves. Antelopes are known for their fast running. Antelopes are mammals that eat plants and chew their cud. The smallest kind of antelope is only one foot tall; the largest antelope is six feet tall at the shoulder. Gazelles, gnus, and impalas are all antelopes. Most antelopes live in Africa; some also live in Asia. [2 definitions] |
| apatosaur |
another name for brontosaur. This animal was also called apatosaurus. |
| ark |
(sometimes capitalized) in the Bible, the large boat built by Noah to save his family and two of every animal from a flood sent by God. [1/2 definitions] |
| back |
the part of the body of a human or animal that is on the opposite side from the chest and between the neck and hips. [1/10 definitions] |
| barnacle |
a small sea animal that attaches its shell to rocks, the bottom of ships, docks, and other objects in shallow parts of the ocean. Barnacles float freely in the ocean when they are young. They develop shells with sharp edges as adults. Barnacles are kinds of crustaceans. |
| beard |
hair on an animal that looks likes a man's beard. [1/2 definitions] |
| beast |
any animal other than a human, especially a mammal with four legs. [2 definitions] |
| behavior |
the typical actions of a person, animal, thing, or group, either in general or in certain situations. [1/2 definitions] |
| belly |
the front of a person or underside of an animal; stomach. |
| bird |
an animal with two wings, two feet, and a body covered with feathers. Most birds can fly. Birds are warm-blooded animals with skeletons inside their bodies. Birds lay eggs with hard shells. Robins, eagles, chickens, and ostriches are a few of the many kinds of birds. |
| birth |
the act of bringing a new baby or baby animal into the world. [1/3 definitions] |
| bison |
a similar animal that lives in Europe. Both kinds of bison are closely related. [1/2 definitions] |