Animal Kingdom (definition)

Vertebrates

Animals that have a backbone (like humans, birds, and fish).

Invertebrates

Animals that do not have a backbone (like insects, jellyfish).

Whale

A very large sea animal that breathes air and lives in the ocean.

Insect

A small animal with six legs and usually wings, like a bee or ant.

Food chain

A line that shows who eats what in nature.

Predators

Animals that hunt and eat other animals.

Made up

Formed from different parts.

Tiny

Very, very small.

Breed

To have babies (used for animals).

Hatch

When a baby animal comes out of an egg.

Scent

A smell, especially one from a person or animal.

Dry

Not wet; without water.

Mate

A partner to have babies with (used for animals).

Mammals

Animals that have hair or fur and feed their babies milk.

Before long

Soon; in a short time.

Survive

To stay alive.

Dam

A wall built across a river to stop or change the flow of water.

Nest

A place where birds or some animals lay eggs or take care of babies.

Prey

An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.

Habitat

The place where an animal or plant lives.

Fertilization

When a male and female cell join to make a baby (in animals/plants).

Birds of prey

Birds that hunt and eat other animals (like eagles, owls).

Preen

When birds clean and arrange their feathers with their beaks.

Chain

A series of connected links or things (can also mean food chain).

Sticky

Something that can stick to things easily, like glue or honey.

Owl

A bird with large eyes that hunts at night.

Hollow

Empty inside.

Hang

To stay in the air or on a wall without falling.

Amphibians

Animals that live both in water and on land (like frogs).

Gills

The parts of fish that let them breathe in water.

Fins

The flat parts on a fish’s body that help it to swim.

Plates

Hard, flat parts that protect some animals (like turtles).

Scales

Small, thin pieces that cover the skin of fish and reptiles.

Camouflage

Colors or patterns that help animals hide.

Reptile

A cold-blooded animal with scales, like snakes or lizards.

Shell

The hard outside part that protects some animals, like turtles.

Turtle

An animal with a hard shell that lives in water and on land.

Poison

A substance that can make you sick or kill you.

Patiently

In a calm way, waiting without getting angry.

Crocodilians

Large reptiles like crocodiles and alligators.

Ectothermic

Animals whose body temperature changes with the environment (cold-blooded).

Thanks to

Because of (used to show the reason for something good).

Bite

To use your teeth to cut something.

Backbone

The line of bones down the back of animals or people.

Starfish

A sea animal shaped like a star.

Escapes

Gets away from something dangerous.

Clear

Easy to see through (like clean water).

Octopus

A sea animal with eight arms.

Jellyfish

A soft, clear sea animal that can sting.

Break

When something splits or ends (like ice or a relationship).