Animal Habitats and Behavior Summary

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Questions and Answers

How fast can adult cheetahs run?

80 miles per hour

60 miles per hour

70 miles per hour (correct)

50 miles per hour

What is the primary purpose of the mantle on a cheetah cub?

To attract mates

To help with camouflage (correct)

To signal danger

To provide warmth

At what age do cheetah cubs start hunting on their own?

15 months (correct)

8 months

24 months

12 months

What do cheetah cubs do to practice their hunting skills?

Wrestle with siblings Signup and view all the answers

Why does a mother cheetah move her cubs to different locations?

To protect them from predators Signup and view all the answers

How much does a cheetah cub weigh at birth?

5 to 10 ounces Signup and view all the answers

Which habitat do wild horses prefer?

Plains and prairies Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant threat to cheetah populations?

Habitat destruction and lack of prey Signup and view all the answers

What are dolphins primarily known for?

Traveling in pods Signup and view all the answers

What factor has contributed to the endangerment of the blue whale?

Whaling by humans Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary reason for the endangerment of lions?

Loss of habitat and prey Signup and view all the answers

Which of these animals is classified as herbivores?

Zebras Signup and view all the answers

What type of ecosystem is almost half of Africa covered by?

Savanna Signup and view all the answers

What do dolphins require to thrive in their habitats?

Food, clean water, and safety from predators Signup and view all the answers

What human activity has significantly impacted habitats and animal populations?

Habitat destruction and hunting Signup and view all the answers

What primarily threatens blue whales?

Anthropogenic noise and pollution Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reason for the endangerment of great white sharks?

Illegal fishing and pollution Signup and view all the answers

At what age does a horse become an adult?

4 years Signup and view all the answers

What stage of the lion's life cycle occurs before they join the pride?

Cubhood Signup and view all the answers

Which stage is NOT part of a crocodile's life cycle?

Larva Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in the rapid change of a monkey's life cycle compared to a human's?

Developmental speed Signup and view all the answers

What do young hens, or pullets, do before they can lay eggs?

Develop feathers Signup and view all the answers

What adaptation allows cheetahs to achieve high speeds?

Wide nostrils and large lungs Signup and view all the answers

For how long can cheetahs sustain their top speed?

30 seconds Signup and view all the answers

What is a major trait that defines land mammals?

Warm-blooded, fur or hair, and milk-producing glands Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dolphin Habitats and Behavior

Dolphins inhabit warm ocean waters globally, with coastal dolphins closer to shore and larger offshore dolphins found in deep waters.
They travel in pods for food and protection against predators, relying on access to clean water and food sources.

Horses and Their Environments

Domesticated horses can adapt to various habitats, while wild horses prefer open areas like plains and prairies for safety and grazing.
They require shelter and fresh water for survival, consuming large quantities of grass as herbivores.

Cheetah Characteristics

Cheetahs are the fastest land mammals, with speeds reaching up to 60 miles per hour.
Endangerment is due to habitat loss, prey scarcity, and threats from humans, hunters, and poachers.

African Savanna Ecosystem

Savannas cover nearly half of Africa, situated between rainforests and deserts, characterized by diverse grass types.
This habitat supports many herbivores (giraffes, zebras, elephants) and carnivores (lions, hyenas). Threats include habitat destruction and hunting.

Lion Population Threats

Various lion species face extinction due to habitat destruction driven by human expansion and declining prey populations.
Conservation efforts aim to boost lion numbers through protection initiatives.

Blue Whale Endangerment

Blue whales are endangered mainly due to historical whaling practices, which continue to affect their population despite legal protections since 1966.
Current threats include boat strikes, pollution, climate change, and noise from human activities.

Great White Shark Conservation

Endangerment stems from human actions such as pollution, illegal fishing, and accidental bycatch.
Conservation measures, including protected status and bans on shark fin soup, help in increasing their population.

Snake Habitat Diversity

Snakes are widespread, thriving in warm climates and various habitats such as forests, deserts, and aquatic environments.
They regulate their body temperature by moving within their habitats, utilizing cool or warm areas as needed.

Horse Life Cycle Stages

Horses undergo distinct life stages: foal (baby horse), yearling (one year old), colt (male), filly (female at two), and adult by four years.
The average lifespan of a horse is approximately 25 years.

Lion Cub Development

Lion cubs mature rapidly, developing from birth to adulthood (fully grown) in under six years, beginning their journey with maternal protection and care.

Tiger Life Cycle

Tiger life cycles consist of several stages, starting as blind cubs requiring maternal care, learning to hunt as they grow, and becoming independent by 17 months to two years.

Crocodile Life Cycle

Crocodiles have three life stages: nesting (before birth), young, and adult, marking the cycle from egg hatching to maturity.

Monkey Life Cycle Overview

A monkey's life cycle starts in the womb (gestation), followed by childhood and adulthood, with a lifespan ranging from 10 to 50 years depending on species.

Chicken Development

Hens, called pullets until they lay eggs, hatch covered in down and can begin laying eggs shortly after mating, living between 2 to 25 years or more.

Cheetah Speed Adaptations

Cheetahs achieve high speeds due to anatomical adaptations—wide nostrils, large lungs, and muscular build—that facilitate oxygen delivery to muscles.

Cheetah Running Limitations

Although capable of reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour, cheetahs can only sustain such bursts for around 30 seconds due to energy constraints.

Cheetah Cub Survival

Cheetah cubs, weighing just 5 to 10 ounces at birth, rely on their mother for protection, learning vital survival skills through play and practice during their early months.

Cheetah Parenting and Learning

Cubs drink their mother's milk for 6–8 weeks, then engage in play that mimics hunting behaviors, evolving into successful hunters by around 15–24 months when they disperse from their mother.

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Description

This quiz covers key points about the habitats and behaviors of dolphins and horses. Learn how these animals thrive in their environments and the essential needs they have for survival. Test your understanding of coastal and offshore dolphins, as well as domesticated versus wild horses.