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ACT Science - Zoology

Here you will learn some English words related to zoology, such as "larval", "talon", "ungulate", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

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ACT Vocabulary for Science
to incubate

to keep an egg in a favorable condition to help it develop until it hatches

Ex: The mother hen incubated her eggs in the cozy nest she had made. 
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to hatch
to hatch
[Verb]

(of birds, fish, etc.) to come out of an egg

Ex: The baby chicks hatched from their eggs after three weeks of incubation. 
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clutch size

the number of eggs or offspring produced by a single reproductive effort, typically by a bird, reptile, or insect

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invertebrate
invertebrate
[Adjective]

(of an animal) lacking a spinal column or notochord

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marine
marine
[Adjective]

related to the sea and the different life forms that exist there

Ex: Marine mammals, such as dolphins and whales, are well-adapted to life in the ocean. 
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mammal
mammal
[noun]

a class of animals to which humans, cows, lions, etc. belong, have warm blood, fur or hair and typically produce milk to feed their young

Ex: The bat is the only mammal capable of sustained flight. 
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amphibian
amphibian
[noun]

any cold-blooded animal with the ability to live both on land and in water, such as toads, frogs, etc.

Ex: The frog is a well-known amphibian that lays its eggs in water and undergoes metamorphosis from tadpole to adult. 
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rodent
rodent
[noun]

any small mammal with a pair of strong front teeth, such as mice, hamsters, rats, etc.

Ex: The house mouse is a common rodent found in urban and rural areas around the world. 
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primate
primate
[noun]

any mammalian animal that belongs to the same group as humans, such as monkeys, apes, lemurs, etc.

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feline
feline
[noun]

any animal in the cat family

Ex: The feline stretched lazily in the sunbeam coming through the window. 
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reptile
reptile
[noun]

a class of animals to which crocodiles, lizards, etc. belong, characterized by having cold blood and scaly skin

Ex: A reptile like a snake can survive in a wide range of environments. 
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arachnid
arachnid
[noun]

a class of terrestrial arthropods that breathe air and have four pairs of limbs, such as spiders, scorpions, etc.

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ungulate
ungulate
[noun]

a hoofed mammal, typically herbivorous, which includes animals such as horses, cows, deer, and elephants

Ex: The African savanna is home to a variety of ungulates, including zebras and antelopes. 
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waterfowl
waterfowl
[noun]

any aquatic bird, especially a game bird of fresh waters

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hawkmoth
hawkmoth
[noun]

a type of moth belonging to the family Sphingidae, known for their rapid flight and ability to hover while feeding on nectar from flowers

Ex: The hawkmoth hovered expertly near the flower, sipping nectar with its long proboscis. 
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nematode
nematode
[noun]

any long and cylindrical worm with a segmented body that is either parasitic or free-living

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oyster
oyster
[noun]

a type of shellfish that can be eaten both raw and cooked, some of which contain pearls inside

Ex: Bake oysters topped with a mixture of breadcrumbs, butter, and herbs for a delightful and easy-to-make appetizer. 
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seabird
seabird
[noun]

a bird that lives near the sea

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crustacean

a sea creature with a hard shell and jointed legs such as crabs and lobsters

Ex: At the beach, children love searching for colorful crustaceans like crabs and tiny shrimp in tide pools. 
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monotreme
monotreme
[noun]

any mammal that lays eggs and is only found in Australia, such as platypus

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arthropod
arthropod
[noun]

an invertebrate animal with a segmented body and a chitinous exoskeleton, such as a spider, crab, etc.

Ex: Arthropods like ants and beetles are found in almost every habitat. 
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magpie
magpie
[noun]

a black-and-white crow with a long tail that is noted for its intelligence

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locust
locust
[noun]

a large grasshopper that lives in hot countries and flies in large swarms, destroying crops

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barnacle
barnacle
[noun]

a marine arthropod with an external shell that attaches itself to a surface and feeds on particles that are in the water

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macaque
macaque
[noun]

a type of monkey that belongs to the Old World monkey family, characterized by their long tails, cheek pouches

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hominid
hominid
[noun]

a member of the biological family Hominidae, which includes humans, their ancestors, and other great apes like chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans

Ex: Fossils of ancient hominids provide insight into human evolution. 
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echidna
echidna
[noun]

a small egg-laying mammal that is covered in spines, has a pointed snout and originates from Australia

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beaver
beaver
[noun]

a semiaquatic rodent with a wide tail and strong teeth that builds dams across streams and is mainly found in the Northern hemisphere

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simian
simian
[Adjective]

of or relating to monkeys or apes

Ex: The scientist observed simian behavior in the primate research facility, noting similarities in social interactions and communication among the monkeys. 
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orca
orca
[noun]

a large, black-and-white marine mammal known for its social behavior, intelligence, and adaptability, found in oceans worldwide and known as an apex predator

Ex: The orca breached the surface of the ocean in a spectacular display of power and grace, its massive black and white body glistening in the sunlight. 
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mollusk
mollusk
[noun]

any invertebrate that lives in aquatic or damp habitats and has a soft unsegmented body, often covered with a shell

Ex: The beach was scattered with empty mollusk shells. 
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canine
canine
[noun]

a member of the dog family, including domestic dogs, wolves, foxes, and related animals

Ex: The German Shepherd, a popular canine breed, is often employed in police work due to its intelligence and loyalty. 
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plover
plover
[noun]

a small shorebird with a short hard-tipped bill and a stout build

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quail
quail
[noun]

a small, short-tailed, ground-dwelling game bird with brownish plumage

Ex: The hunter's dog pointed motionlessly at a quail hiding in the tall grass. 
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sea urchin

a small marine animal that is covered with spines and has a round shell, harvested for food

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tanager
tanager
[noun]

a colorful bird species found in the Americas, known for its vibrant plumage, melodious songs, and important ecological role in seed dispersal

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skunk
skunk
[noun]

a small mammal belonging to the weasel family with black and white stripes that can produce a strong unpleasant smell when attacked, native to North America

Ex: The skunk ambled through the forest, its distinctive black and white stripes serving as a warning to potential predators. 
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porcupine
porcupine
[noun]

an animal with sharp needle-like parts on its body and tail, used for protection

Ex: The porcupine cautiously ventured out of its den, its quills bristling at the slightest hint of danger. 
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quill
quill
[noun]

a sharp, stiff, hollow spine found on the body of porcupines or hedgehogs, serving as a defensive mechanism against predators

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replete
replete
[noun]

a specialized caste of social insects, such as ants or termites, that are engorged with food and serve as living food storage units within the colony

Ex: In honeypot ant colonies, repletes hang from the ceiling, swollen with nectar. 
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palomino
palomino
[noun]

a cream or golden horse with a white tail and mane

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humpback whale

a large marine mammal known for its distinctive appearance, acrobatic behavior, and complex songs

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proboscis
proboscis
[noun]

a long, tubular feeding organ found in many insects, such as butterflies, moths, and flies, which is used to suck up nectar, other liquids, or in some cases, blood

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talon
talon
[noun]

a long, sharp nail on the foot of some birds, especially birds of prey

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snout
snout
[noun]

the long and protruding facial part of an animal which comprises its nose and mouth, especially in a mammal

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clamshell
clamshell
[noun]

the bivalve shell of a clam, characterized by two symmetrical halves that hinge together

Ex: The clamshell protects the soft body of the clam from predators and environmental factors. 
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appendage
appendage
[noun]

any external body part that protrudes from an organism's main body, often used to describe limbs, antennae, or other structures

Ex: Crustaceans like crabs and lobsters have appendages adapted for swimming and grasping food. 
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tentacle
tentacle
[noun]

any of the various flexible limbs of an animal, especially an invertebrate, which enable it to move or hold things

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tail fin
tail fin
[noun]

the posterior part of a fish or aquatic animal's body, composed of fins that provide propulsion and maneuverability

Ex: The tail fin of a dolphin is adapted for powerful swimming and diving. 
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magnetoreception

the biological ability of certain organisms to perceive and orient themselves based on the Earth's magnetic field

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electroreception

the biological ability of certain animals to detect electrical fields in their environment to locate prey, navigate, and communicate

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migratory
migratory
[Adjective]

(of animals or birds) moving from one place to another, often with the changing seasons

Ex: Geese are migratory birds that fly south for the winter. 
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to pupate
to pupate
[Verb]

to transform from the larval stage into a pupa during an insect's development

Ex: The caterpillar climbed onto a leaf to pupate in a safe location. 
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larval
larval
[Adjective]

relating to or characteristic of the larva stage, which is an early, immature form of an animal that undergoes metamorphosis

Ex: The butterfly's larval stage is spent as a caterpillar before it transforms into a chrysalis. 
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to breed
to breed
[Verb]

(of an animal) to have sex and give birth to young

Ex: The pair of rabbits bred successfully, resulting in a litter of adorable baby bunnies. 
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metamorphosis

a biological process in which an animal undergoes a significant change in form and structure during its life cycle, typically seen in insects, amphibians, and other animals

Ex: The caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis to transform into a butterfly. 
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ornithologist

a scientist who specializes in the study of birds, including their behavior, ecology, and evolution

Ex: The ornithologist spent years studying bird migrations. 
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herpetologist

a scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians

Ex: The herpetologist gave a fascinating lecture on the behavior of snakes in the wild. 
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entomologist

a scientist who specializes in the study of insects, including their behavior, ecology, and classification

Ex: Many entomologists study the role of insects in pollination. 
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