amphibians: A group of animals that includes frogs, salamanders and caecilians. Amphibians have backbones and can breathe through their skin. Unlike reptiles, birds and mammals, unborn or unhatched amphibians do not develop in a special protective sac called an amniotic sac.
appendage: A finger, leg, ear, antenna or other feature that sticks out from some creature and has some apparent specific function.
biologist: A scientist involved in the study of living things.
biology: The study of living things. The scientists who study them are known as biologists.
camouflage: Hiding people or objects from an enemy by making them appear to be part of the natural surroundings. Animals can also use camouflage patterns on their skin, hide or fur to hide from predators.
colleague: Someone who works with another; a co-worker or team member.
defense: (in biology) A natural protective action taken or chemical response that occurs when a species confronts predators or agents that might harm it. (adj. defensive)
egg: A reproductive cell that contains half of the genetic information necessary to form a complete organism. In humans and in many other animals, ovaries produce eggs. When an egg fuses with a sperm, they combine to produce a new cell, called a zygote. This is the first step in the development of a new organism.”
environment: The sum of all of the things that exist around some organism or the process and the condition those things create. Environment may refer to the weather and ecosystem in which some animal lives, or, perhaps, the temperature and humidity (or even the placement of things in the vicinity of an item of interest).
factor: Something that plays a role in a particular condition or event; a contributor.
forage: To search for something, especially food. It’s also a term for the food eaten by grazing animals, such as cattle and horses.
habitat: The area or natural environment in which an animal or plant normally lives, such as a desert, coral reef or freshwater lake. A habitat can be home to thousands of different species.
herpetologist: A scientist who works on the biology of reptiles and amphibians.
invertebrate: An animal lacking a backbone. About 90 percent of animal species are invertebrates.
keratin: A protein that makes up your hair, nails and skin.
lizard: A type of reptile that typically walks on four legs, has a scaly body and a long tapering tail. Unlike most reptiles, lizards also typically have movable eyelids. Examples of lizards include the tuatara, chameleons, Komodo dragon, and Gila monster.
population: (in biology) A group of individuals (belonging to the same species) that lives in a given area.
predator: (adjective: predatory) A creature that preys on other animals for most or all of its food.
projection: Some feature that extends out (or projects) from the body of a structure.
reptile: Cold-blooded vertebrate animals, whose skin is covered with scales or horny plates. Snakes, turtles, lizards and alligators are all reptiles.
selection: In biology, a process in which environmental or genetic influences determine.
species: A group of similar organisms capable of producing offspring that can survive and reproduce.
trait: A characteristic feature of something. (in genetics) A quality or characteristic that can be inherited.
unique: Something that is unlike anything else; the only one of its kind.
viper: A venom-producing snake. Most have a broad head and large, hinged fangs.
