Animals and the Climate

Animal scientists, called zoologists, study animal habitats and populations as well as behaviour. They observe the implications of changing conditions. If climate conditions change, animals might face changes to their food, water, and other resources. For example, if plants and animals die during a drought, it will impact the lives of other animals that feed on them.

When the habitat changes, some animals migrate, some move, some adapt, some die, some thrive, and some change their behaviour. For example, animals may look for different food and prey that they would not usually eat if their usual prey moves out of the region or if the vegetation changes.

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Cow and Yak: what’s the difference?

What’s the difference between a cow and a yak?

The domestic Yak (Bos grunniens) is similar to domestic cattle, such as cows and bulls (Bos taurus or Bos primegenius).

They are both bovids or bovines.

They are both mammals with udders (that provide milk for their calves).

They both eat grass – they are herbivorous grazers.

They are both ungulates – they both have cloven hooves.

The domestic Yak grunts, whereas domestic cattle moo.

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What is the difference between Climate and Weather?

What is the difference between climate and weather?

Climate conditions of a specific region are defined over periods of time – usually years. For example, tropical regions have a climate with warm temperatures and high annual precipitation.

Weather conditions are defined over a short period of time – sometimes in hours. For example, the weather has been windy for three days. 

Animal Habitats and Climate Types

Habitat refers to the natural home of an animal. An animal can live in a nest, a burrow, a hole, a kennel, a tree, in the sea, in a lake, in a mound, on another animal, inside another animal, a hive, a cave, or in a tunnel.

These habitats may be in different climate zones, such as warm locations or cold locations.

Often when zoologists discuss habitat, they also mention climate, seasons, and weather. Climate and weather are different. Climate includes temperature (heat), humidity (moisture in the air), atmospheric pressure (air pressure), wind, hours of sunlight, and rainfall. Weather is the present condition of these elements in a specific place (usually daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly).

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