Plants and Animals
zebra herbivorous hoofed African mammal of the genus Equus, which also includes the horse and the ass. It is distinguished by its striking pattern of black or dark brown stripes alternating with white. In size and body form it is intermediate between the larger horse and the smaller ass. It has a heavy head, stout body, short, stiff mane, and tufted tail. There are three living zebra species; a fourth species, the quagga , became extinct in the late 19th cent. Most zebras inhabit open plains or brush country, while mountain zebras favor rocky hillsides. Zebra herds on the Serengeti of E Africa can be as large as 200,000 individuals, but all are organized in family groups led by a stallion. The plains zebras usually mix with other grazing animals, such as wildebeest and antelopes. They are swift runners, achieving speeds of up to 40 mph. Some authorities believe that the stripes evolved as visual identification to reinforce social bonds with other zebras, rather than for disguise or insect protection. The zebra's natural enemies are the lion and the leopard. The plains zebra, Equus burchelli, is found throughout Africa S of the Sahara. It stands about 4 ft (120 cm) tall at the shoulder and has small ears. It has very broad stripes, which vary greatly in their pattern among the several races of the species, as well as among individuals of the same race. Grevy's zebra, E. grevyii, is a large zebra found in E Africa. It stands 4 1/2 to 5 ft (140-150 cm) at the...
mushroom type of basidium fungus characterized by spore-bearing gills on the underside of the umbrella- or cone-shaped cap. The name toadstool is popularly reserved for inedible or poisonous mushrooms, but this classification has no scientific basis. The only safe way of distinguishing between the edible and the poisonous species is to learn to identify them. Some poisonous mushrooms are of the genus Amanita. The genus includes the fly agaric, Amanita muscaria, and the death angel or destroying angel, A. virosa. The use of edible mushrooms for food dates back at least to early Roman times. Originally a delicacy for the elite, mushrooms are now extensively grown on a commercial scale, especially the cultivated mushroom or champignon, Agaricus bisporus, and the shiitake mushroom, Lentinus edodes. Their culture requires careful control of temperature and humidity. The bulk of the crop in the United States is grown near Philadelphia. In Europe more than 50 species of mushrooms are marketed. Although mushrooms contain some protein and minerals, they are largely composed of water and hence are of limited nutritive value. The truffle , puffball , and other edible fungi are sometimes also called mushrooms. In all cases the term mushroom is properly restricted to the above-ground portion, which is the reproductive organ. Mushrooms are classified in the kingdom Fungi , phylum (division) Basidiomycota. Bibliography: See A. H. Smith and N. A. Weber, The Mushroom...
The surface of the earth is covered with plants and animals, and we cover many of them in this category. Starting with plants, we explore agriculture and horticulture. Agriculture is the science of producing plants and livestock from the natural resources of the earth. This usually happens on a large scale. Horticulture usually means small-scale gardening and cultivating fruits, vegetables, flower ... Read more
s, and ornamental plants.Both grew from early man’s need to feed and clothe themselves, and agriculture and the domestication of wild animals made it possible for civilizations to be created. Today, modern agriculture feeds most of the people on the planet and is made easier by developments like irrigation, genetic engineering, and the combine harvester. Diseases that typically infect plants are blight, clubroot, gall, and viroid. People who made important contributions to the advancement of agriculture as a science include Jethro Tull, who invented a mechanical drill for sowing seeds, and Eli Whitney, who invented the cotton gin.
Animals, both domesticated and wild, can be found almost anywhere on the planet. Domesticated animals include cattle, horses, sheep, chickens, dogs, llamas, and pigs. The rest of the creatures on the planet are considered wild animals, and this includes mammals, insects, fish, and reptiles. Many varieties of animals can be found in all corners of the globe, deep in the sea, and soaring high in the sky. The study of all animals is called zoology and it includes the classification and naming systems as well as studying fossil records.
The category of plants and animals contains information about many living things on earth. Continue exploring to learn more.