Lesson 2 Flashcards
What characteristics do mammals have?
Mammals have vertebrae, are endothermic, breathe oxygen from the air, nurse their young with mother’s milk, and have hair.
How can you tell the skull of a mammal from the skull of a reptile?
Mammals have a lower jaw made of only one bone, while the lower jaw of a reptile is made up of several bones. Also, in reptiles, the joint that connects the lower jawbone allows it to open & close only. In mammals, that joint allows it to not only open & close, but also move from side to side.
Which sense does a dog use the most?
It uses its sense of smell most.
What are some of the ways dogs communicate?
Dogs communicate with scent, body postures, and facial expressions.
What four major kinds of teeth do mammals have?
incisors, canines, premolars, molars
How many of each gene do you have?
two of each gene
Where did you get your genes?
One from your mother & one from your father
If a gene is recessive, what does that mean?
it means the gene will be masked by the dominant gene if it is present.
How does a pack of dogs usually hunt prey?
They work to separate one straggler from the rest, and they chase it until it falls.
What do we call the male leader of a pack?
the alpha male
What do we call the female leader of a pack?
the alpha female
Why are wolves so rare today?
They have been hunted almost to extinction & squeezed out by cities.
What is a digitigrade?
An animal that walks on its toes
This type of gene will win; its information will be used
dominant
The form in which DNA stores information
genes
A molecule that exists in every living creature and stores information that helps the creature be what it is supposed to be
DNA
Glands that produce and release a water-based mixture we call sweat
sweat glands
the outer layer of skin that has hair on it
epidermis
a carnivore’s molars and premolars that are specially designed to cut meat
carnassial teeth
mammals’ teeth used for grinding, right behind the canine teeth
premolars
mammals’ teeth used for tearing and gripping
canines
a group on order Carnivora that contains dog-like animals
caniforms
organs in the body that make and release chemicals
glands
mammals’ teeth used for cutting
incisors
an order in the animal kingdom that contains many of the ferocious predators
carnivora
mammals’ teeth (in the very back of the mouth) used for grinding
molars
the layer of skin under the epidermis; it gets bruised and bleeds
dermis
this gene will not be used when the dominant gene is present
recessive
glands that release odors
scent glands
a group in order Carnivora that contains cat-like animals
feliforms
to break down food so it can be turned into energy
digest
A species of wolf that is thriving. They are night hunters & are often alone.
Coyotes
Organs of smell
olfactory organs
Living only in Japan, this dog looks like a large raccoon.
Raccoon dog
A type of canine. They have been pests for livestock farmers & a source of fear for travelers at night.
Wolves
A fox that lives in the arctic regions of the northern hemisphere.
Arctic Fox
A canine that is very social and is often called the “painted wolf.”
African Wild Dog
The two leaders (female & male) in a group of animals.
dominant pair
Australian canines that were once pet dogs owned by Indonesian traders who fished in the waters of Australia thousands of years ago.
Dingoes
When an animal changes its diet to fit changes in its surroundings we call it an _________ feeder.
opportunistic
An opportunistic omnivore that can live in cities. it looks like a small wolf with really big ears.
Jackals
An opportunistic canine that can eat anything, although it prefers small animals.
Red Fox
