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

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

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)

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

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

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

migration - movement, usually seasonal, from one region or climate to another for purposes of feeding or breeding

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

omnivore - eating a varied diet including both animals & plants

rut - a period of sexual excitement the mating season (especially the deer family)

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

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

USFWS - US Fish & Wildlife Service federal agency that enforces the endangered species act & CITES regulation in the US

velvet - furry skin covering & nourishing growing antlers