Some animals are cute and cute, others are deadly, and they also live next to us on the planet. Let's be fair, most of them won't be the first to attack humans. However, they still have teeth, claws and poisons to easily deal with a person if the need arises.
1. Cassowaries (Australia)
Australians are kind and friendly, the weather and scenery are beautiful, but almost every animal in Australia wants and can kill you - even birds like cassowaries. Don't be fooled by the natural playfulness of these almost two-meter monsters. Cassowaries become aggressive when provoked. Their weapons are 12 cm spear-like claws on their paws. When switched to attack mode, the cassowaries deliver a series of blows like real kickboxers, and they aim at the stomach or (much more reliably) at the jugular vein in the neck.
2. Dart frogs (South America)
The cutest coloring of the poison dart frog does not betray its toxic nature. It turns out that this is the most poisonous animal on the planet. For example, the golden subspecies (in fact, these frogs are multi-colored) contains enough poison to kill at least a dozen adult males, which is quite effective for a creature 6 cm long. South America, by the way, they lubricate their darts with poison dart frogs. Using their bright colors and large pleading eyes, poison dart frogs lure unsuspecting victims towards them. By itself, the touch of a poisonous frog will not kill you - the main thing is that its toxins do not get into your bloodstream.
3. Loa loa (Africa)
Pandas are endearing, but don't fall for this false charm. To begin with, pandas are actually carnivores and have all the necessary equipment in the form of teeth and claws. Pandas also have incredibly powerful bites, which they have trained by chewing on bamboo. And they can use all these tools with lethal efficiency. In March 2015, a Chinese farmer nearly lost his leg after a panda hunted by conservationists decided to stalk a poor Chinese man in retaliation. Pandas in captivity are no less dangerous. The male Gu-Gu, who lives in the Beijing Zoo, last years sent at least three people to the hospital, who, out of curiosity, climbed into his territory.
5. White-tailed deer (North America)
Don't confuse the deer with the book image of Bambi. White-tailed deer can easily deal with a person, and for this he has two main methods of attack. The first and most common is to jump into the road in front of the car. Thus, deer manage to kill 130 people annually (in 1994 there was a record of 211 victims). Moreover, deer even got into the habit of running out onto the runways at airports. The second way is a direct attack on people. With sharp hooves and pointed horns, deer can tear apart anyone in their path.
6. Narwhal (Europe)
What makes these inhabitants of the Arctic Ocean so dangerous is that people know too little about them. The most mysterious thing about narwhals is their tusks, or rather one straight and long tusk for each male. Scientists have been arguing about the functionality of this tusk for more than a decade. Someone claims that it is a sensory organ with millions of nerve endings to fix minor changes temperature, pressure and probably more. Others believe that the tusk is used for male mating tournaments. However, such a weapon 2-3 meters long is quite ideal for skewering a gaping victim on it. Therefore, never turn your back on the narwhal out of harm's way.
Quiz for schoolchildren with answers on the topic Animals
1. What large herbivore sleeps during the day and eats at night without fear of predators? Its stomach is one and a half meters long and seventy-five centimeters wide, its skin is thick, and it is also "armed and very dangerous." About what animal in question? (About the rhinoceros)
2. What animal lives in the water in summer and in the ground in winter? (Water rat)
3. Which animal has paws turned outward with their palms out? (At a mole. Its paws are adapted to dig the ground)
4. What small animal is not eaten by a fox or a ferret? (The shrew, because for the delicate sense of smell of predatory animals the smell of musk emanating from the shrew is unbearable)
5. The footprint of what predatory beast is similar to a human one? (bear)
6. To which animals did Roald Amundsen, the conqueror of the South Pole, raise a toast? (For the dogs. It was with their help that he reached the goal of his journey)
7. Which animal has favorite calluses on its feet and in its mouth? (This is a camel. Dense corns on the legs are needed to walk on hot sands, and in the mouth - to chew on thorns and not get hurt)
8. This animal has no teeth. It breaks the nests of its prey with its paws, then takes out ants or termites with its tongue up to sixty centimeters long, after which it grinds the insects with its muscular stomach. What is this amazing animal? (Ant-eater)
9. What animal has a black tongue forty-five centimeters long, a huge heart so that it supplies blood to a great height in the head, and a very developed upper lip to cut off the most delicate leaves of plants? (Giraffe)
10. This animal lives in total darkness. Hunts for worms and insects. Having found such worms more than he can eat, he neutralizes them with a bite, but leaves them alive. Stores his supplies in an underground pantry. And he can eat as much in a day as he weighs himself. Who is it? (Mole)
11. These animals hunt at night with the help of hearing and smell, not relying on sight. They attack in packs of up to thirty individuals on large animals. Together they can even recapture the prey from the lions. In a few minutes, even from a large antelope there will be no trace left. Their jaws are so strong that they can bite through the tibia of a buffalo. What are these animals? (hyenas)
12. Sailors often see dolphins rescue drowning swimmers by pushing them to the surface. What explains such nobility? (Dolphins breathe air. The dolphin mother pushes the baby born in the water with her nose to the surface so that the baby takes its first breath. In addition, the flock pushes the sick fellow to the air. Such a maternal and brotherly instinct makes dolphins save the drowning)
13. Which of the animals played in Krylov's Quartet and in the ensemble of musicians from the city of Bremen? (Donkey)
14. When the Europeans brought this animal to Tahiti, the islanders, who had not seen it before, gave it the name "pig with teeth on its head." What do we call this animal? (Cow)
15. What animal day do Americans celebrate on the second of February every year? (Groundhog Day. He leaves the mink after a long hibernation, which means that spring has come)
16. What animals did the Arabs consider cursed by Allah, and the Hindus built temples in their honor? (Monkeys)
17. Which animal is believed by Australians to never drink? (Koala)
18. What animal promises good luck to an Englishman and a Frenchman, and God forbid a Russian to meet him? (Black cat)
19. If a cat is aggressive, it arches its back, presses its ears, nervously moves its tail. If the dog is aggressive, it bares its teeth, bristles and growls. And what animal in this situation bares its teeth, presses its ears and tries to turn its back? (Horse)
20. Name the largest animal that builds nests. (African gorilla. The male reaches 1.7-1.8 meters in height and weighs 136-227 kilograms. Every day they build new ground rounded nests with a diameter of 1 meter)
21. What animal can open its mouth 180 degrees? (African hippo)
22. Name two primates that can turn their heads 180 degrees. (Philippine tarsier and galagos)
23. Which animal builds the tallest structures out of silt, stones and trees? (Beaver. The highest beaver hut was 4.8 meters, and the longest dam stretched for one and a half kilometers)
24. Which mammal has the fastest pulse? (A shrew's heart beats at a speed of 1,200 beats per minute)
25. What animal has the largest number of different names in different languages? (Puma. Only in English language She has over forty names, including: cougar, mountain lion, red tiger and Florida panther)
26. What animal kept the speed of fifty-six kilometers per hour for a distance of six kilometers? (Pronghorn antelope. Lives in the western United States, southwestern Canada and Mexico)
27. What herbivore has ever-growing fangs, the average length of which is 71 centimeters? (At the hippopotamus)
28. What mammal has the largest eyes in diameter relative to its body? (Philippine tarsier. Its body length is 8.5-10 centimeters, and the diameter of the eyes is 1.6 centimeters. If such proportions were maintained, human eyes would be the size of a grapefruit)
29. What is the oldest domestic animal in Europe? (A dog. Was tamed over nine thousand years ago. Then goat and pig come over five thousand years ago)
30. Who said: “Animals are my friends. And I don't eat my friends? ( English writer Bernard Show)
31. Name the most primitive multicellular animal. (Sponge. She has no sense organs, but can respond to stimuli. Sponges form large settlements in the sea)
32. What representatives of the fauna live on the highest mountain peaks? (Spiders. Winds in abundance bring live flies, mosquitoes, and small plants to such a height)
33. Which of the animals, except birds, makes nests? (Fish. In our area, smelt builds nests every spring. The male constantly guards it, trying to scare away all uninvited guests)
34. Name the only feline whose claws do not retract (do not retract into the paw pads). (Cheetah)
35. Which animal head did the mythological Minotaur have? (bull head)
36. What animal head did the Egyptian goddess Bastet have? (cat head)
37. Pumbaa from Disney's The Lion King is what animal? (Warthog)
38. What modern rodents are the largest in the world? (Capybara or capybara)
39. Name the only marsupial animal that does not come from Australia or its environs, but from America. (Opossum)
40. What is another name for the giant panda. (Bamboo bear)
41. What animal of the crocodile family lives in the swamps of Florida? (Alligator)
42. What is the name of an animal whose father is a stallion and mother is a donkey? (Loshak)
43. What is the name of the animal whose father is a donkey and mother is a mare? (Mule)
44. What is the name of the American prairie wolf? (Coyote)
45. Guanaco and vicuña are two types of what animal? (Lamas)
46. What is the name of the large dolphin, which has the nickname "killer whale"? (Orca)
47. What is the name of the Black Sea shark? (Katran)
48. Who is called "sea cucumber"? (trepanga)
49. Many Africans living with him in the same area avoid calling his name and call him: "The one who kills, smiling." What animal are we talking about? (About the crocodile)
50. How can a sperm whale, walrus and narwhal replace an elephant? (Their teeth replace ivory)
51. What artiodactyl cub can withstand a fall from a height of two or three meters during childbirth? (Giraffe)
52. The inhabitants of East Africa, seeing the tank for the first time, joyfully shouted: “Faro! Faro!” as the tank reminded them of a well-known animal. What animal means "faro" in their language? (Rhinoceros)
53. Not a single carnivore will touch the carcass of an animal that died from ... From what? (From lightning)
54. Name two Australian mammals that lay eggs. (platypus and echidna)
55. What is the name of a young, not yet lambing sheep? (Yarka)
56. What was the name of the primitive bull? (Tour)
57. How many animals form the perennial cycle of the Eastern calendar? (Twelve)
58. How many animals are included in the Zodiac? (Seven: Aries, Taurus, Capricorn, Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio, Leo)
59. Name the bamboo eater that became the symbol of the International environmental organization? (Panda)
60. With the head of what animal was depicted the Hindu god of wisdom - Ganesha? (With the head of an elephant)
61. What animals are more effective than dogs for finding truffles? (pigs)
62. What is another name for the musk ox? (musk ox)
63. What is the name of a reindeer calf under the age of one month? (Fawn)
64. When Jesus Christ spent forty days in the desert among the mountains, according to legend, he created these animals so that they would tell him when the sun was rising and when it was setting. What are these animals? (The bats)
65. Name the largest predatory animal on earth, the weight of which can reach a ton. (Polar bear)
66. What is the name of a creature with a fox's head in Russian mythology? (Kikimora)
67. Which of the great apes has more common features with a person? (The chimpanzee has less of them, the orangutan has even less)
68. How are giraffes delivered to the zoo if their height is six or seven meters and not a single giraffe will fit on a train or on an airplane? (Not adult giraffes are delivered to zoos, but young ones no more than one and a half meters tall)
69. How does a chameleon change color? (The skin of a chameleon is transparent, and under it are cells of red, yellow and black colors. When one or another of them expands or contracts, it seems that the lizard changes color)
70. What is the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? (Alligators live in North America, crocodiles live in Africa, Asia, Australia. The only exception is the Chinese alligator, the rarest of all. Alligators smaller. The crocodile, even when its mouth is closed, shows two fangs. Alligators do not
71. Bison meat was eaten, ropes were woven from their wool, moccasins were made from skins, glue and baby rattles were made from hooves, cups and spoons were made from horns, weapons were made from bones. And what was made from tough buffalo tongues? (Combs)
Footprints of animals are the most common traces of their vital activity, studied by the tracker. With sufficiently soft ground or snow cover, traces of a passing or running animal always remain, they seem to accompany it. Footprints give a lot of different information about the animal. They can be used to judge his age (more or less accurately), what his gender is, his physical condition (healthy, sick, wounded, hungry, well-fed), behavior associated with obtaining food, reproduction, raising offspring, etc. The freshness of the trace can be used to determine when the animal visited the given place. Traces are characteristic of each species of animal, but in many of them they change with the seasons of the year in accordance with the fact that the substrate on which the paws rest is changing. It is clear, for example, that the soil in summer differs in its physical properties from the snow cover in the same habitat, and therefore the structure of paws often changes with the seasons. For example, in many animals in winter, the supporting part of the paw is covered with wool, in grouse birds on the sides of the fingers in winter period"fringes" grow, increasing the area of \u200b\u200bsupport for the paws. Since the structure of the paws, and hence their prints, correspond to the soil in the habitat of the animal, the footprints can be used to judge the ecology of the animal that left them even before its species identity is determined.
Limbs and their functions
First of all, let us consider the structure of the end sections of the legs that are in direct contact with the ground and leave imprints or traces on it. Next, we will discuss general phenomena concerning how traces specific to individual animal species are formed, with one or another of their behavior and under different circumstances.
The structure of the limbs of terrestrial vertebrates
The fore and hind limbs of terrestrial vertebrates have the same structural scheme. They consist of three departments.
A - leg-shaped limb a - humerus (in the hind limbs - femur) bone,
b - forearm (at the rear - lower leg), c - radial (tibia), d-ulnar (tibia), d - wrist (tarsus, or tarsus), e- first finger, f-carpus (metatarsus), s - phalanxes of the fingers B - the skeleton of the leg of a pigeon a - femur, b - tibia tibia, c - rudiment of the tibia, d - tarsus,
e - phalanxes of the first to fourth fingers C - parts of the skeleton of the leg of a pigeon chick b - tibia tibia,
e - fused proximal parts of the pre-tarsus, growing later to the tibia,
g - fused distal parts of the tarsus, growing later to the bases
metatarsal bones,
h - fused bones of the metatarsus (Adolf et al., 1977)
In the forelimb, the departments bear the following names.
Section I - shoulder. In the skeleton of the shoulder - one bone that articulates with the shoulder girdle.
II department - forearm. Its skeleton consists of two bones - the radius and the ulna.
Section III - brush, or front paw. Three subdivisions are distinguished in its skeleton: 1) the wrist, consisting of nine to ten bones arranged in three rows; 2) metacarpus, consisting of five elongated bones arranged in one row; 3) phalanges of the fingers, consisting of five rows of bones (phalanges).
The hind limb has the same divisions and subdivisions, but their names are different.
Department I - thigh. There is only one bone in the skeleton of the thigh - the femur, it
articulates with the pelvic girdle.
II department - lower leg. Consists of two bones - the tibia
and small tibia.
Section III - foot, or hind leg. Consists of three subsections: I) tarsus; 2) metatarsus; 3) phalanges of fingers. The number in the tarsus, metatarsus and fingers is similar to the number of bones in the wrist, metacarpus and fingers of the forelimb.
In the largest group of terrestrial vertebrates - in birds, the hind limbs serve to move on the ground, they have the same sections and subdivisions as in other terrestrial vertebrates, but their terminal sections are greatly changed. The unpaired femur is articulated with the pelvis, its other end forms a knee joint with the bones of the lower leg. In the lower leg, only the tibia is well developed, the fibula is greatly reduced and grows in the upper part of the outer surface of the tibia. The upper row of tarsal bones grows to the lower end of the tibia, forming with it one ankle-tarsal bone. The outer row of bones of the tarsus and all the bones of the metatarsus fuse into one long bone, the tarsus, or metatarsus. The movable joint is formed between two rows of tarsal bones. The phalanges of the fingers are attached to the lower end of the tarsus (see Fig. 3, B, C).
The paws of vertebrates are distinguished by a more complex and more diverse structure than other parts of the limbs, which is explained by their closer interaction with infinitely diverse environmental conditions, as well as a wide variety of functions performed by them.
In the vast majority of terrestrial vertebrates, the main function of the paws is support on the ground and movement. It is far from always that support on the ground is carried out by the entire paw, in most cases - only by part of it. Depending on which part of the paw is involved in the support on the ground, animals are divided into plantigrade (lean on the entire paw), digitigrade (lean on the underside of the fingers) and phalanx walking (lean on the ends of the fingers) (Fig. 4.5).
Support on the ground, advancement, as well as other functions performed by the paw, are provided by its corresponding structure.
In different vertebrates, from the epidermis, by thickening and keratinization, digital organs are formed - claws, nails or hooves (Fig. 6.7). They cover the dorsal side of the end sections of the fingers.
The narrow horny strip that forms the end wall of the claw (nail, hoof) is called the horny sole of the claw (nail, hoof) (Fig. 7, 8).
Great importance in mitigating impacts on the ground during movement, in traction with it, as well as in performing other functions, they have crumbs. These are dense, elastic parts of the paw, located in the places of its support on the ground. They develop from the subcutaneous layer.
Finger crumbs are present in all terrestrial vertebrates and are located on the underside of the third phalanx. The digital crumb is especially well developed on the paws of ungulates, but they are covered with a horny fingertip - a hoof. The metacarpal crumb is located below the first phalanx. It is absent or underdeveloped in ungulates. In predatory mammals, the metacarpal crumb has the form of an elastic extensive pad placed under the supporting fingers. In many mammals, the metacarpal crumbs are represented by several isolated pads. The carpal pad is located in the area of the wrist or the lower part of the bones of the forearm
The carpal cushion is found in some carnivorous mammals, ungulates, etc. (Fig. 8.9). On the hind limbs, the carpal crumb corresponds to the tarsal crumb, the metacarpal crumb of the forelimbs corresponds to the metatarsal crumb of the hind limbs.
The crumbs have many nerve endings and a dense network of blood vessels, which indicates their role as sensory organs.
|
Fig11 Features of the structure of the paws of reptiles, birds and animals adapted to specific living conditions c - paw of a half-toed gecko moving along the walls and ceiling in people's dwellings b - hind paw of a flying squirrel with a characteristic arrangement of hair conducive to planning in the air, c - hind paw of a reticulated foot-and-mouth disease - desert inhabitant, d - f - claws of animals climbing trees d - woodpecker claw e - claw and terminal phalanx of the toe of the hind leg of the squirrel, e-profiles of the claws of the third fingers of the front and hind paws of the Himalayan (blackened) and brown bears (a, b, d, e - orig, Primorsky Krai, c - after Bannikov et al., 1971, c - after Bromley 1971) |
The shape, number and location of the crumbs are imprinted on the ground or on the snow and constitute the most important element of the tracks, therefore they are of particular interest to the tracker. The structure of the crumbs in different "animals is adapted to perform various other functions besides movement. For example, they are convex and rough in birds of prey that grab their prey with their fingers. On the finger crumbs, the osprey that grabs with its paws such a strong and slippery prey protected by scales, like a fish, are developed sharp keratinized denticles Digital and other crumbs are well represented in animals moving in the crowns of trees (see Fig. 9, d).
In terrestrial vertebrates, paws can have various structural features associated with habitat conditions and lifestyle. So, in winter, the paws of some birds are covered with feathers. Grouse birds acquire "fringes" - horny plates on the sides of the fingers. In winter, the soles of the paws of many mammals, such as squirrels, lynxes, Siberians, etc., are covered with wool (Fig. 10). The value of such a device is to increase the supporting surface of the paw and protect it from frost. In desert mammals, moving on such unstable ground as sand, paws carry brushes that improve traction with it. The hair on the legs of the flying squirrel is located in such a way that it increases their bearing surface when gliding in the air (Fig. 11).
In swimming birds and mammals, a swimming membrane forms between the fingers (Fig. 12). In many cases, such features of the structure of the paws help the tracker to recognize the animal by the trail, as well as to judge its lifestyle and ecology (Fig. 12, 13).
Corresponds to the lifestyle of animals and the structure of their claws. It is very possible that the original function of the claws was to increase the adhesion of the paws to the ground during movement. This purpose of claws has not lost its force in modern animals. Grasping prey, killing it - actions in which claws participate, as well as digging the earth, and many other functions, apparently arose later.
In reptiles, in non-predatory birds, in many mammals (insectivores, lagomorphs, rodents, many predators), claws serve solely to improve the adhesion of paws to the ground. These animals have strong and moderately sharp claws, they are not protected from blunting. Some mammals and reptiles dig shelters in the ground - holes, look for food in the soil, and their claws are adapted for this work - they are strong, wide, large, sometimes even huge. Claws are specialized in predatory animals that catch, hold and kill their victims, in particular, with the help of claws. Such are birds of prey (eagles, falcons, owls, etc.), among mammals, a vivid example of the specialization of claws is found in cats, in which they are strongly curved, sharp and protected from blunting by the fact that when walking they are removed to the back of the terminal phalanges of the fingers. The simple structure of the huge claws of a brown bear allows them to be used in a variety of cases: when walking, digging the ground, breaking rotten wood for the extraction of insect larvae, when defending from enemies and attacking, when climbing a tree, collecting fruits, and in many others (see fig. 8,9, 13).
Depending on the nature of the soil on which the animal mainly moves, its claws can be long, increasing the supporting area of the paw, or, conversely, short, not preventing fast running. Even such a factor as the homogeneity or heterogeneity of the soil structure affects the structure of the paws of animals. Sandpipers living along the banks of rivers, as they say, deal with homogeneous soil - sand or silt. The fingers of these birds are more or less wide, often wide at the base and tapering towards the ends. Their bearing area is thus increased. Swamp-dwelling shorebirds have longer but thin toes that allow them to step on and rest on plant roots and plant debris. The probability of stepping on them and thus including them in the support area is greater, the longer the fingers, almost regardless of their thickness.
The paws are a system of heterogeneous elements, which play different roles in support and locomotion and complement each other. The claws of digitigrade mammals or the hoof wall and sole of ungulates enhance traction with the ground and, due to their hardness and strength, resist its damaging effects. The crumbs of those and other mammals soften the impacts on the ground, and also increase adhesion with it due to their elastic compliance with its microrelief. The high sensitivity of the soles, their tactile ability allow the animal to actively respond to the soil microrelief. Such large animals as a bear, a tiger, an elk can walk silently through the forest. The active instantaneous reaction of the paws to features, to the quality of the ground, is also expressed in the fact that the animal, when the paw comes into contact with soft or viscous ground, instantly spreads its fingers, increasing the supporting area so as not to get stuck. The claws instantly change their position and assume a readiness to fulfill their role in each specific situation (see Fig. 21, d). Thus, the properties, working (functional) characteristics of the paw and its individual elements can change directly in operation, depending on changing conditions.
Interesting quizzes for children about animals that live in the forest, which children can see in the zoo, about pets. All quiz questions are accompanied by answers.
Quiz "Who am I?"
■ “I am very large, about two meters tall, and my weight is 350 kg. I have brown hair, small ears and a tail. I can walk on my hind legs and climb trees in search of food. And I eat fish, berries, I can eat ants, worms and beetle larvae. I spend the whole winter hibernating, and in the spring I leave the lair thin, hungry and angry. (Bear.)
■ “I live in the Far North. I eat fish and seals. I love the sea very much. A thick layer of fat under the skin and a long white coat protect me from hypothermia. And my paws are like flippers, so I'm a good swimmer and I'm not afraid to swim far into the sea. (Polar bear.)
■ “I have a sharp muzzle, erect ears, a very finely developed sense of smell. I am very greedy. I eat meat, attacking deer, elk, rodents, but sometimes, when I can’t find anything, I survive on plant food - berries. I like to hunt at night, alone. Sometimes I chase prey for hours, running not a single kilometer. But in winter, in order to feed ourselves, we gather in flocks. (Wolf.)
■ “I am a fat funny animal with sharp front teeth. My house is called a hut. I choose a small river or stream with running water as a place for my hut. I cut tree branches with my teeth and build a dam out of them to keep the water at a constant level and always have an underwater connection with the dwelling. There are two “rooms” in the hut: a bedroom and a pantry. (Beaver, or beaver.)
■ “I have a very keen sense of smell. My biggest treat is field mice. A mouse squeaks a little - and I can hear it from a hundred meters away, even in winter, when it hides under the snow. I can eat up to 20 of them a day. I hunt at night, and during the day I like to relax. Often they call me a red cheat. (A fox.)
■ “I live with my family in a burrow that I dug with my front paws and lined with soft grass and down. I am very careful. Before approaching the mink, I will make a few jumps to the side, then a few jumps to the other side, and only then do I jump into my house. In winter, in order to be invisible in the snow, I change my fur coat. (Hare.)
■ “I have very beautiful antlers, but every winter I have to shed them. The body is covered with beautiful small light specks. Wool protects well from frost, and wide hooves do not allow me to fall through the snow. I pride myself on good eyesight, and my hearing and sense of smell allow me to detect danger without much difficulty. (Deer.)
■ “I look like a clumsy fat mouse with big cheeks. I have round shiny eyes, short legs and a pointed little tail.
I build a mink at a depth of 1-2 meters underground, which consists of several "rooms": in one I sleep in the winter, and in the other I store supplies. Sometimes they keep me at home, in a cage.” (Hamster.)
■ “I, small and gray, build myself a mink either in a field or in a forest, under the roots of trees in a secluded place. My mink is like a bird's nest. Here I store seeds, berries, nuts, dry buds and roots of herbs and trees. In winter, I often go out of my mink to replenish my supplies. To do this, I dig special tunnels and move along them. (Mouse.)
■ “I, a kind fussy little animal, live everywhere. I have a long fluffy tail and beady eyes. The tail, almost equal to the length of my body (about 20 cm), serves as a pole and an umbrella for me, allowing me to maintain balance and jump along the branches. There are small tassels on the ears that protect my ears from frost. On severe frosty days, I sit in a hollow and eat acorns, dry mushrooms, nuts. Squirrel.
■ “I am a small animal with velvety dark gray fur. I have strong front paws, like large shoulder blades. Claws grow on them, with which I dig the earth and throw it back. I have eyes, but they are just tiny beads covered in fur and skin. I don't need eyes, as I constantly live underground in pitch darkness. But I have a great sense of smell. I can smell an earthworm from a few meters away.” (Mole.)
Quiz "At the Zoo"
■ “My body is unusually heavy, it can weigh like a big truck. It is in order to hold such a weight that my legs are thick and look like huge columns. I have tusks with which I defend myself. The most remarkable part of my body is the trunk. I like to eat grass, fruits and leaves of trees. (Elephant.)
■ “I live in the thickets of the rainforest, where the sun's rays make their way in thin strips through the crowns of dense trees. Therefore, my skin is covered with stripes that look like these patches of light. I am a strong animal. I eat wild boars, deer, antelopes. To satisfy my hunger, I need about nine kilograms of meat a day.” (Tiger.)
■ “I am a strong animal. My roar is like thunder, and my mane gives me a menacing look. I live in warm countries, in sandy places, so my skin is sandy in color. During the day I sleep more often, and at night I hunt zebras, gazelles and antelopes. Although I am the king of animals, I am easy to train and can perform various numbers in the circus. (A lion.)
■ “My body is covered with tough, thick skin of gray color, which protects well from insect bites and from branches of bushes. On the feet are small hooves. I eat grass and young branches and leaves. But mine main feature- the famous horn on the forehead. When danger threatens me, I lower my head and strike with the horn.” (Rhinoceros.)
■ “Everyone knows me. I look like a man, but unlike him, I have a tail with which I hold on to branches while I pick fruits with my hands and bring them to my mouth with my feet. My favorite thing to do is make faces.” (Monkey.)
■ “The ancient Greeks called me “river horse”. Firstly, I spend a lot of time in the water, and secondly, I resemble a horse. I have such big wide nostrils and small ears. I am a very large animal: 4 meters long and 3.5 tons in weight. I eat river grass. (Hippopotamus.)
■ “My height can reach a height of six meters. On the head there are ears and funny little horns covered with leather. I don't have fangs or claws. But there is an unusually long tongue, sometimes reaching 45 cm. With this tongue, I deftly pluck leaves from thorny plants without even pricking myself. Although my front legs are longer than my hind legs, I run fast, I can overtake a horse. I sleep standing up and drink water with my legs wide apart, because my long neck does not bend at all. (Giraffe.)
■ “I have thick gray skin, a small head with upturned ears, very long and strong hind legs and small front legs. I am a rather big animal (about two meters in height), but I jump like a grasshopper - far and high. The most remarkable thing about me is the bag, which is located in the lower abdomen, between the legs. My image is on the coat of arms of Australia. (Kangaroo.)
■ “I am like a little horse: I have hooves, a mane, a tail. I run fast. I have excellent eyesight and a good memory. But the color is striped. I have many enemies: tigers, lions, hyenas and other predators. To protect ourselves from enemies, I and my other relatives unite in groups. I am listed in the Red Book. (Zebra.)
■ “I feel quite well where other animals would die of hunger and thirst. I carry my food and drink with me in my humps. Before starting the next trip, I eat and drink a few days. Then only one of my hump can weigh 45 kilograms! But towards the end of the journey, my hump becomes empty and falls to one side. (Camel.)
Quiz "We are responsible for those we have tamed"
■ What hardy animal was used in ancient wars to harness them to chariots? (Horse.)
■ What animal has a thick body, short legs, small hooves, and fangs that stick out? (At the pig.)
■ Are the eyes of cats the same day and night? (At night, the pupils of cats are too dilated, and during the day they are small.)
■ Which pet is true friend human? Dog.
■ What useful animal gives meat, milk, sour cream, cottage cheese, butter? (Cow.)
■ Which one of the first domesticated animals is the closest relative of horses, only smaller than they are? (Donkey.)
■ What pet provides healthy milk, meat, wool, and down? (Goat.)
■ From the skin of which pet do sheepskin coats, hats and mittens? (From sheepskin.)
■ What animal is easily recognizable by its long ears and tassel at the end of its tail? (Donkey.)
■ What is the animal for the inhabitants of the North and transport, and food, and clothing, and housing? (Deer.)
■ What animal provides us with meat, lard, and leather used to make shoes, gloves, and bags? (Pig.)
■ From the milk of this animal, a delicious salty cheese is made - feta cheese. (From sheep's milk.)
■ What pets live in cage houses with mesh floors? (Rabbits.)
■ Which pet gives people honey? (Bee.)
■ What is the favorite animal in the house? (A cat.)
Quiz "Live Corner"
■ Award at the cat show (Rosette.)
■ Parakeet. (Ara.)
■ Synonymous with "smell" for dogs and cats. (Sniff.)
■ Scottish Shepherd. (Collie.)
■ Breed of dogs - ...-schnauzer. (Rizen.)
■ White with a yellow tufted parrot. Can speak. (Cockatoo.)
■ One that walks by itself. (Cat.)
■ Chinese - Pekingese, Japanese - ... (Hin.)
■ Home ... - a norushka in a cage, inside of which there is a tiny house. (Mouse.)
■ Russian Blue, Siberian, Persian, Scottish, Oriental, Siamese and other breeds of these beauties. (Cat.)
■ An African parakeet that will not survive alone in the wild or in a cage. A motley handsome man with a girlfriend have one drawback - they are too loudly accommodating. (Lovebird.)
■ Charming affectionate tropical semi-monkey with big eyes and the New Guinea red and blue parrot are named the same. How? (Lori.)
■ American and English... spaniels accurately look for drugs. (Coker.)
■ Blue Cuban ... with its claws quickly chop off the tail of any fish. Therefore, they are kept separately or with ampullar snails. (Cancer.)
■ Experienced terrarium keepers breed this species of snake despite the difficulty of feeding it. (Slider)
■ Large service dog. (Dog.)
■ Bell mosquito larva, a favorite food for aquarium fish. (Motyl.)
■ With repeated repetition of this word, a cat with any nickname will do. (Kis.)
■ Breed of dogs with numerous subspecies: Afghan, Russian canine, greyground, Italian greyhound, etc. (Borzoi.)