Glossary of Terms
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AZA - American Association of Zoos & Aquariums accrediting body for zoos & 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
aestivation - to enter a state of dormancy in seasonal hot, dry, weather, when food is scarce
alpine - usually pertaining to mountainous area 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 &
trade of endangered species like a treaty in that nations are signatories to it App I is species that are considered to be presently
threatened with extinction App II is species that are in danger of being threatened with extinction
crepuscular - active in twilight (dawn & dusk)
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delayed implantation - a developing embryo remains dormant in the uterus for periods from 12 days-11 mos, 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 - to enter 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 & 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 &, 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 the deer family)
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SSP - Species Survival Plan plan developed by AZA to enhance & preserve genetic variability of species maintained in captivity
studbook - records maintaining & 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 & use also makes recommendations for studbooks & 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 & CITES regulation in the US
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velvet - furry skin covering & nourishing growing antlers
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