Definition
noun, plural: terrestrial animals
Any animal that lives, grows and reproduce on terrestrial (or land)
Supplement
A habitat pertains to the natural, ecological environment inhabited by a certain species. Habitats may vary depending on the location. They may be terrestrial (which refers to the various land forms) or aquatic (refers to the different water forms). Animals that live and thrive on land are called terrestrial animals.
Terrestrial animals spend most of or their entire life span on land, in contrast to animals that live predominantly in water. Examples of terrestrial animals include cats, ants, dogs, raccoons, spiders, kangaroos, tigers, lions, mice, bats, bulls, oxen, leopards, elephants, and many more. There are animals though which live specifically underground. Animals that are rock-dwelling are called saxicolous, such as a sacicolous lichen. Animals that live in the sand are referred to as arenicolous, e.g. an arenicolous spiny lizard. There are animals that can live both in water and on land are called amphibious, such as turtles, crocodiles, and so on.
The terrestrial invasion of animals during the Cenozoic is a significant event in evolutionary context. These animals have become successful in adapting to a dry environment and eventually dropped the need for an aquatic phase in the life cycle.
See also:
- terrestrial
- habitat
- ecosystem
- environment
