Kids Glossary
To disappear, often never to return again.
A toxic matter normally secreted by some animals such as snakes and bees, and transmitted to prey or an enemy chiefly by injection (biting or stinging)./An animal that used venom.
Using worms to convert decaying organic matter into compost.
Bones that make up the backbone (spinal column).
An animal that has a backbone. Humans, dogs, birds, and frogs are vertebrates.
Remaining in a species only in a much reduced or useless state. Vestigial body parts or organs are evidence of parts that the ancestors of an animal had, but that the modern animal no longer needs or uses. For example, the rosy boa snake has vestigial traces of the legs of its lizard ancestors.
An animal doctor.
Tiny bumps on the skin surface. In geckos, villi on the bottom of their toes allow them to cling to slick surfaces.
Producing live young instead of eggs from within the body. This pertains to almost all mammals, several reptiles, and some fish.