Glossary
of Terms
A
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AZA
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums —accrediting body for zoos
and aquariums. Among other functions, coordinates conservation efforts
among zoos.
adaptation
- inherited characteristic of an individual giving it an advantage over
others of the same species
alpine
- usually pertaining to mountainous areas above 4900'
aquatic
- living chiefly in water
arboreal
- living in trees
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binocular
- vision typical of mammals in which the same object is viewed
by both eyes; the coordination of the two images permits perception
of distance
brachiate
- form of arboreal locomotion in which arm swinging is emphasized
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carnivore
- any meat-eating organism
CITES
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species—regulatory
body which oversees the international movement and trade of endangered
species. Like a treaty in that nations are signatories to it. App I
includes species that are considered to be presently threatened with
extinction. App II includes species that are in danger of being threatened
with extinction.
crepuscular
- active in twilight (dawn and dusk)
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delayed
implantation - a developing embryo remains dormant in the uterus
for periods from 12 days-11 months, depending on species
dimorphism
- the existence of two distinct forms; sexual dimorphism refers to differences
between sexes (size, color, etc.)
diurnal
- active in daytime
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echolocation
- the process of direction-finding based upon reflected echoes
endangered
- presently threatened with extinction (USFWS designation)
endemic
- peculiar to a certain region or country; native to a restricted area
estivation
- a state of dormancy in seasonal hot, dry weather, when food is scarce
estrus
- the period in the cycle of female mammals at which they are often
attractive to males and receptive to mating
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habitat
- the place where a species normally lives
herbivore
- eating mainly plants or parts of plants
hibernation
- period of winter inactivity, during which normal physiological processes
are greatly reduced, thus requiring less energy
home
range - the area in which an individual animal normally lives
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migration
- movement, usually seasonal, from one region or climate to another
for purposes of feeding or breeding
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natural
selection - the process whereby individuals with the most appropriate
adaptations are more successful than other individuals, and therefore
survive to produce more offspring
nocturnal
- active at night
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omnivore
- eating a varied diet including both animals & plants
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rut
- a period of sexual excitement; the mating season (especially in the
deer family)
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SSP
- Species Survival Plan—plan developed by AZA to enhance and preserve
genetic variability of species maintained in captivity
studbook
- records maintaining and coordinating information relevant to a specific
population of animals; it contains all animals traced back to their
wild-caught founders
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TAG
- Taxon Advisory Group—non-binding group that provides information
(on the family level or higher) on cage space availability and use;
also makes recommendations for studbooks and SSPs
terrestrial
- living on land
threatened
- will probably become endangered unless steps are taken to ensure survival
(USFWS designation)
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USFWS
- US Fish & Wildlife Service—federal agency that enforces
the Endangered Species Act and CITES regulation in the U.S.
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velvet
- furry skin covering and nourishing growing antlers
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