Nature Word Guide

On the audio guide for Nature Detectives we use words that you might be familiar with and some that might be new to you.

To help expand your nature knowledge, use this glossary of words and terms when you are borrowing and enjoying the Nature Detectives Touch to See book.

To give ideas and inspiration we’ve also included links to websites where you can find out more about the words and terms. For example, for ‘Conservation’ we have listed websites where you can find out more about protecting wildlife and wild habitats.

Abdomen The rear part of the body of an insect or spider.

Biodiversity The variety of species of living things in a particular area.

Camouflage The natural colouring or form of an animal which enables it to blend in with its surroundings.

Conifers Tall forest trees that have evergreen needle-like leaves and produce their seeds in cones. http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

Conservation The protection of endangered wildlife and habitats.http://www.cpre.org.uk/ (protecting the British countryside)http://www.mcsuk.org/ (Marine Conservation)http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/ (an organisation that investigates environmental problems and champions responsible solutions)

Deciduous Trees, such as oak and maple, that lose their leaves at a certain time of year, usually the autumn.http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

Ecology The study of the relationships between living things and their surroundings, or environment.

Ectotherm A cold-blooded animal, such as a snake, that relies on sunlight or a heated rock surface to control its body temperature.

Germination The start of growth of a seed into a seedling.

Habitat The natural home or environment of an animal or plant.

Hibernation To spend the winter in a state like deep sleep.

Insect A small invertebrate animal with a body divided into three segments (head, thorax and abdomen), six legs, two antennae and usually one or two pairs of wings.http://www.royensoc.co.uk/ (The Royal Entomological Society – masses of information about insects)http://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/

Invertebrate An animal, such as a worm or snail, without a backbone.

Larva A young insect or other animal that undergoes metamorphosis, such as a caterpillar or tadpole

Mammal A furry or hairy warm-blooded animal, such as a dormouse, that has live young and feeds them on milk.http://www.mammal.org.uk/ (The Mammal Society)

Migration The regular movement, at a certain time of year, by animals from one location to another in order to find food or to breed.

Nocturnal Describes an animal that is active at night.

Pollination The transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part of the same or a different flower.

Pollution The presence in the air or soil or water of a substance with unpleasant or harmful effects.

Predator An animal that catches, kills and eats other animals.

Prey An animal hunted and killed by another for food.

Pupa An insect in its inactive stage of development between larva and adult.

Reptile A cold-blooded vertebrate such as a snake or lizard, typically having a dry scaly skin.http://www.thebhs.org/ (The British Herpetological Society – they offer membership for young reptile enthusiasts)

Thorax The middle section of the body of an insect.

Vertebrate The term for an animal, such as a dog or cat, that has a backbone.