10. Plants and animals in Australia

 

 

Species - a group of plants or animals which share similar characteristics;

Kangaroo - a large Australian animal that moves by jumping on its back legs;

Paw - the foot of certain animals, such as cats and dogs;

Bark - the hard substance that covers the surface of a tree;

Pine - a tall tree with long, thin leaves shaped like needles;

Orchid - a plant with beautifully coloured flowers that have an unusual shape;

Gum - either of the two areas of firm pink flesh inside the mouth that cover the bones into which the teeth are fixed;

Marsupial - a type of mammal from Australasia or South or Central America that is not completely developed when it is born and is carried around in a pouch (= a body part like a pocket) on the mother's body, where it is fed and protected until it is completely developed;

Koala - an Australian mammal with greyish fur. Koalas live in eucalyptus trees and eat their leaves;

Wombat - an Australian mammal with strong, short legs that it uses for digging;

Spiny anteater - a small Australian mammal that is covered with sharp spines, has a long nose, and eats ants and termites;

Mammal - any animal of which the female feeds her young on milk from her own body. Most mammals give birth to live young, not eggs.