第14章 Lesson 14: Forest Mammals

What does a moose have in common with a porcupine? What does a bear have in common with a mouse? How can more than 4000 different kinds of mammals have anything in common? Actually, all mammals have four things in common.

First, mammals have warm blood. Second, mammals have backbones. Mammals also produce milk to feed their babies and have fur or hair.

Forest mammals are very similar because they live in the same natural conditions. Trees and plants provide shelter and food for many types of mammals.

Insect eaters like moles and shrews are called insectivores and live on or under the forest floor. They find insects in the dirt or in rotting trees.

The large family of rodents includes beavers, squirrels, mice, and porcupines. These animals gnaw on nuts, seeds, and branches with their strong front teeth.

Rabbits and hares make up another group. Leafy sprouts and the bark of young trees are the main diet of these animals.

The largest meat eaters, or carnivores, are bears and mountain lions. Wolves and coyotes are also in this group. They usually eat smaller mammals such as rabbits, mice, and moles.

Moose and deer are the most common forest-dwelling hoofed animals. The forest provides both shelter and food for them.

I. Word List

in common: having the same things, looking the same, etc.

gnaw: to chew on food

bark: skin of a tree

diet: what a person or animal eats

hoof: the foot of some kinds of animals

II. Vocabulary practice—Choose the correct word from the reading.

1. A mouse may live in the forest, or it may live in your ______.

a. house b. hose c. how

2. Insect eaters might dig in the ground for their ______.

a. felt b. fair c. food

3. Rodents use their strong front teeth to ______ on hard nuts and branches.

a. gnaw b. blow c. growl

4. The most famous rodents are probably ______ because of the dams they make.

a. trees b. beavers c. secrets

III. What four things do all mammals have in common?

1. ___________________ 3. ___________________

2. ___________________ 4. ___________________

IV. True or False? Write T (true) or F (false) for each sentence.

___ 1. Rabbits and hares are carnivores.

___ 2. Mice often eat nuts and seeds.

___ 3. Moles and shrews may live under the ground.

___ 4. Moose is a hoofed animal.

___ 5. Some mammals have warm blood.

___ 6. All mammals produce milk for their babies.