Insects and other creepy crawlies - whether you like them or not, they are all around us. Discover the organised Ants, busy Bees and annoying Wasps. Discover the Butterfly life cycle and the transforming Grasshoppers as well as many more.
Insects are all around us, they make up more than half of all living things on the planet. There are more than a million known insect species and there are probably many more waiting to be discovered. True insects are those that are classified in the Class 'Insecta'. They are a major group of arthropods (a type of invertebrate, animals that lack a backbone), and the most diverse group of animals on the Earth. Insects rank among the most successful animals on our planet.
Insects may be found in nearly all environments on the planet, although only a small number of species are found in the oceans where crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimp, tend to predominate instead.
Insects live in almost every habitat on land. Some live in extremely cold environments like those who survive in the peaks of the Himalayas and produce a kind of anti-freezing substance that prevent their body fluids from freezing and those who reside in the Sahara Desert in extremely hot temperatures of over 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).
There are approximately 5,000 dragonfly species, 2,000 praying mantis, 20,000 grasshoppers, 170,000 butterflies and moths, 120,000 fly, 82,000 true bugs, 360,000 beetles and 110,000 bee, wasp and ant species described to date. Estimates of the total number of current species, including those not yet known to science, range from two million to fifty million.
All insects have a hard exoskeleton (external skeleton) and a three-part segmented body inclusive of a head, thorax and abdomen. They have three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes and two antennae. The legs (and wings, if applicable) are attached to the thorax. Insects breathe through holes called spiracles.
Ants
Bees
Beetles
Butterflies
Dragonfly
Grasshoppers
Ladybirds
Moths
Praying Mantis
Wasps
FARM
Farm - life on the farm is always hectic. Pigs grunting, Cows mooing and Llamas humming. Not forgetting graceful Horses, inquisitive Goats and timid Sheep, quacking Ducks and clucking Chickens!
In this section of Animal Corner we are featuring just some of the animals that reside on the farm. You can find lots of interesting animal information about your favourite farm animals. You can discover and learn what life is like on the farm for sheep, pigs, cows, goats, ducks, llamas, chickens and horses.
Farm animals are bred for many purposes. Chickens give us our eggs, Cows and Goats provide us with nutritious milk. Different breeds of sheep produce many kinds of wool fibres which are made into clothing. Pigs provide us with bacon and pork and Ducks become a succulent duck roast. Horses are used as working animals, sports and leisure activities.
However, all these animals are not just there to provide us with materials, aid and provisions, they also make wonderful pets which give us years of pleasure and devotion. Some of them even look after other animals you may have, just like the adorable Llamas!
