Albino
A lack of melanin pigment in the skin, eyes and hair. Typical characteristics include; paler skin, white hair and pink-red eyes.
Amphibian
A cold-blooded animal which hatches into water as larvae and then grows into an air-breathing adult. Animals include; frogs, toads, newts and salamanders.
Aquatic
A water-dwelling animal or plant.
Axolotl
A type of Mexican salamander.
Banded (coat)
A coat pattern in which the animal bears a white band around the midriff with block colour on the head and rear.
Basking
The action in which an animal moves toward warmth and soaks up heat.
Bird
A warm-blooded animal which lays eggs and has wings and a beak.
Brindle (coat)
A usually brown, black or tawny coat which is mottled or speckled by a lighter colour.
Calcium deficiency
A lack of the essential element Calcium in the body which leads to weak bones.
Canine
Of the family Canidae - the dog family.
Carnivore
An animal which feeds solely on the flesh of another animal. Examples include; cats, mustelids (weasel family), seals, whales and various others.
Cetacean
Of the family Cetacea - the family including whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Crepuscular
A type of nocturnal animal known to be most active at dawn and dusk.
Diurnal
An animal known to be more active during daylight hours.
Equine
Of the family Equus - the horse family.
Exoskeleton
The outer layer of an invertebrate animal, e.g. a shell, which provides support. Animals with an exoskeleton include; cockroaches, tarantulas, scorpions, snails, crabs and lobsters.
Feline
Of the family Felidae - the cat family.
Filter
A mechanism used to clean and recycle water in an aquarium.
Fish
A strictly water-dwelling animal of which characteristics include gills, fins and a lack of limbs.
Gundog (breed)
Breeds of dog capable of helping humans hunt, locate and retrieve game. Breeds include; Labrador & Golden Retrievers, Spaniels, Setters and Pointers.
Gut loading
The act of feeding an animal with the sole intention of priming it for consumption by another animal.
Habitat
The physical environment in which an animal is naturally found or housed.
Herbivore
An animal which feeds solely on vegetation. Examples include; horses, sheep, cows, camels, rabbits, guinea pigs and elephants.
Herding dog
Dog breeds capable of herding livestock on command. Herding breeds include; Rough Collies, Border Collies, German Shepherds, Corgis and Rottweilers.
Insect
Invertebrate animals with bodies split into 3 sections and with a pair of antennae.
Insectivore
An animal which feeds solely on insects.
Invertebrate
An animal without a vertebral column (back bone). Examples include; insects, shellfish, starfish and octopi.
Lagomorph
Of the family Lagomorpha - the family including rabbits, hares and pikas.
Larvae
The young phase of an animal before metamorphosis into an adult. Animals with larvae stages include; fish, amphibians, insects and crustaceans.
Mammal
A warm-blooded animal often characterised by fur or hair, a neocortex (in the brain) and mammary glands.
Metamorphosis
The transition phase of larvae into adult form.
Moult(ing)
Refers to either the shedding of fur/hair/feathers (mammals) or the shedding of the skin or exoskeleton (reptiles and invertebrates).
Mustelid
Of the Mustelidae family - the family containing weasels, ferrets, otters, minks, wolverines, badgers, polecats and pine martens.
Nectivore
An animal which feeds solely on the nectar of plant-life. Most nectivores are either birds, insects or bats.
Nocturnal
An animal known to be more active during the night.
Omnivore
An animal capable of feeding on flesh or vegetation. Examples include; humans, pigs, dogs, bears and many rodent/bird/insect species.
Piscivore
An animal which feeds solely on sea food. Examples include; many aquatic species, sea lions and fishing birds.
Pointer (breed)
A class of gundog characterised by a tall, slender body and large nose, e.g. Weimaraners, Vizslas, Setters and Spinones.
Primate
Of the Primate family - a family including humans, monkeys, apes, lemurs and bush babies.
Pupa
The state of an animal in it's metamorphosis stage. Characterised by the tough, rigid coating that forms around the animal.
Reptile
A cold-blooded animal which lays eggs and has scales or scutes. Examples include; snakes, lizards, crocodiles, alligators, turtles and tortoises.
Roan (coat)
A coat pattern of multiple colours which are graduated and faded in appearance.
Rodent
Of the family Rodentia - the family comprising mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, degus, guinea pigs and chipmunks.
Scenthound (breed)
Dog breeds with an exceptional sense of smell used to hunt prey. Examples include; Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Dachshunds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Self (coat)
A coat consisting of one block colour.
Sighthound (breed)
Dog breeds with exceptional sight used to hunt prey. Examples include; Greyhounds, Whippets, Afghan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds and Salukis.
Spitz (breed)
Dog breeds characterised by long, bushy fur, pricked ears and long noses. Examples include; Alaskan Malamutes & Huskies, Akitas, Eskimo Dogs, Chow Chows and Pomeranians.
Substrate
A material used to line the bottom of an animal enclosure, e.g. aquarium gravel, sawdust, hay, straw and sand.
Tadpole
The larval form of an amphibian. It is water-dwelling, has no limbs and breathes through gills only.
Terrier (breed)
Dog breeds characterised by high energy, usually small frames and a fearless nature. Examples include; Jack Russel Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, Airedale Terriers, Westies, Scotties and Tibetan Terriers.
Thermostat
A device used for regulating the temperature of an animal enclosure.
Toy (breed)
A minature dog breed not used for herding, hunting or retrieving. Examples include; Pugs, Chihuahuas, Bichon Frises, Shih Tzu, Papillons, Toy Poodles and French Bulldogs.
Tuxedo (coat)
A coat pattern in which one colour is found on the back, tail and top of the head (running between the eyes) with the remainder of coat being white.
Wire-hair (coat)
A coat that is wiry and rough to the touch.
Working (breed)
Any dog breed used for work, e.g. herding, hunting, pointing, retrieving and flushing. Examples include; Labrador Retrievers, Springer & Cocker Spaniels, German Shepherds and Border Collies.
