Animal Behavior

verb to cause someone or something to come closer or be drawn towards something

• The new marketing campaign is designed to attract more customers to the store.
• The new store layout is really attracting a lot of people.
• That new movie is really attracting a crowd.
• Her positive energy and confidence really attract success.

noun a breed of small to medium-sized dog, typically tricolored with a smooth coat and long ears

• The beagle is known for its keen sense of smell and tracking abilities.
• I love taking my beagle for walks in the park.
• That beagle is one cool pup!
• Her determination was like a beagle on the scent of a rabbit.

noun sexual activity between a person and an animal

• The law strictly prohibits any form of bestiality.
• I can't believe people engage in bestiality, it's so disturbing.
• That guy is into some weird stuff, like bestiality.
• His actions were described as a form of intellectual bestiality, lacking any sense of humanity.

noun the sound made by a sheep or goat

verb to make the sound of a sheep or goat

• The sheep let out a loud bleat as the farmer approached with the shears.
• I could hear the sheep bleating in the distance.
• Stop bleating about it, just get the job done.
• The politician's speech was nothing but empty bleats and promises.

noun a sudden or violent escape from restraint or confinement

verb to escape or become free from restraint or confinement

• During the protest, the crowd started to break loose and the police had to intervene.
• Once the music started playing, everyone on the dance floor began to break loose.
• When the final bell rang, all the students couldn't wait to break loose from school.
• After years of strict dieting, she decided to break loose and indulge in some delicious desserts.

noun the state of being imprisoned or confined

adjective captivity does not have an adjective form

• The animals were kept in captivity for research purposes.
• The animals were stuck in cages for study.
• The poor creatures were locked up for science.
• His mind felt like it was in captivity, unable to break free from the constraints of society.

adjective describing a person or animal that lacks pity or compassion; without emotion or feeling

• The scientist studied the behavior of the cold-blooded reptiles in their natural habitat.
• I heard that guy is a cold-blooded killer.
• Don't trust him, he's a cold-blooded snake.
• Her cold-blooded response to the situation shocked everyone.

adjective adjective describes a noun or pronoun, in this case 'crabby' describes someone who is irritable or bad-tempered

• The customer was quite crabby when their order was delayed.
• My sister always gets crabby when she's hungry.
• Don't be so crabby, it's just a game.
• His crabby attitude was like a dark cloud hanging over the party.

noun a portion of food that returns from the first stomach of ruminants to the mouth to be chewed again

• Cows have multiple stomachs to help them digest their food, allowing them to chew their cud.
• I heard that cows chew their cud to help with digestion.
• Hey, did you know that cows regurgitate their cud and chew it again?
• She kept mulling over the problem in her mind, like a cow chewing its cud.

verb to tame or train an animal to live with or work for humans

• Humans have been able to domesticate animals for thousands of years.
• My neighbor decided to domesticate a stray cat that was hanging around their house.
• I heard that guy is trying to domesticate a wild raccoon as a pet.
• It took some time for her to domesticate her rebellious thoughts and emotions.

noun the state of being dormant; inactivity or dormancy in plants and animals during the winter months

• During the winter months, many plants enter a state of dormancy to conserve energy.
• My car battery went into dormancy after sitting unused for a few months.
• I feel like I'm in dormancy mode today, just lounging around and doing nothing.
• After the breakup, he went into a period of emotional dormancy, needing time to heal and recover.

noun a person or animal that consumes the flesh of other creatures

adjective describing something that feeds on or consumes flesh

• Flesh eating bacteria can cause serious infections if not treated promptly.
• I heard about this flesh eating virus going around, it's really scary.
• Watch out for that flesh eating bug, it's been spreading like wildfire.
• The gossip in this town is like flesh eating, it spreads quickly and destroys reputations.

noun a small to medium-sized antelope that is typically found in Africa and Asia, known for its graceful movements and slender build

• The gazelle gracefully leaped through the savannah, showcasing its agility.
• I saw a gazelle sprinting across the field, it was so fast!
• Check out that gazelle, it's like lightning on four legs!
• She moved through the crowded room with the grace and speed of a gazelle.

noun A large African mammal with a very long neck and forelegs, having a coat patterned with brown patches separated by lighter lines.

• The giraffe is the tallest land animal, with a long neck and legs.
• I saw a giraffe at the zoo today, it was so cool!
• Check out that giraffe, it's like a tall drink of water!
• Her neck was so long, she looked like a giraffe reaching for leaves in the trees.

noun a place or environment where an organism or community of organisms lives

• The conservation efforts focused on preserving the natural habitat of the endangered species.
• The animals live in their own habitat in the forest.
• Let's go check out the cool habitat of those wild animals.
• The library is my habitat where I feel most comfortable and at home.

verb to spend the winter in a dormant state, as some animals do

• Bears hibernate during the winter months to conserve energy.
• I feel like hibernating all weekend and just staying in bed.
• I'm going to hibernate at home and binge-watch my favorite TV show.
• Sometimes it's necessary to hibernate from social media for a while to focus on yourself.

noun the bristling of the body hair or feathers as a response to cold, fear, or other strong emotions

• The medical term for horripilation is piloerection, which is the involuntary contraction of small muscles at the base of hair follicles.
• I get horripilation whenever I watch a scary movie.
• That horror movie gave me the chills and full-on horripilation.
• The emotional speech by the president caused a wave of horripilation among the audience.

noun a type of dog, typically used for hunting or tracking

verb to pursue relentlessly or harass persistently

• The hound is a breed of dog known for its keen sense of smell.
• My neighbor's hound always barks loudly at night.
• I heard that new movie is a real hound, we should go see it.
• The detective hounded the suspect until he finally confessed.

noun a mark or indentation made by pressure

verb to mark or stamp with a design or inscription

• The company logo is embossed as an imprint on all their products.
• I accidentally left an imprint of my hand on the wet paint.
• She got a tattoo with her boyfriend's name as an imprint of their love.
• The traumatic event left a lasting imprint on her psyche.

verb to assume a horizontal position, as for resting or sleeping

• After a long day at work, it is important to take some time to lie down and relax.
• I'm feeling so tired, I just want to lie down and take a nap.
• Let's just lie down and chill for a bit.
• Sometimes you just need to lie down and let your mind rest from all the stress.

noun a type of food that comes from animals, usually referring to the flesh of animals used as food

• The study focused on the health implications of meat eating in the population.
• I try to limit my meat eating for health reasons.
• Some people swear by plant-based diets over meat eating.
• His relentless meat eating in the buffet line earned him the nickname 'The Carnivore'.

noun a large landform that rises steeply above the surrounding area

• The mountain lion is also known as a cougar or puma.
• I saw a mountain lion while hiking in the woods.
• Watch out for that big cat, it might be a mountain lion!
• Dealing with that difficult client is like trying to tame a mountain lion.

noun a bird of the family Columbidae, typically smaller than a dove and having a stout body and short legs

• The pigeon is a common sight in urban areas.
• I saw a pigeon hanging out on the sidewalk.
• That pigeon is always scavenging for food.
• She felt like a pigeon trapped in a cage, unable to escape her circumstances.

verb to move with lively, springy steps or movements

• The horse was prancing gracefully around the show ring.
• The little girl was prancing around the park with her friends.
• The dancer was prancing on stage like a boss.
• Her heart was prancing with joy at the sight of her loved ones.

adjective adapted for seizing, grasping, or taking hold of something

• The prehensile tails of certain animals are used for grasping objects.
• I wish I had a prehensile tail like a monkey, it would be so handy.
• That guy's fingers are like prehensile tentacles, he can pick up anything!
• Her mind was prehensile, able to grasp complex concepts quickly.

noun a small, migratory bird with a plump body and a short tail

verb to feel or show fear or apprehension

• The quail is a small, ground-dwelling bird that is known for its distinctive call.
• I saw a cute quail running around in the backyard.
• Let's go hunt some quail this weekend.
• Her confidence was as fragile as a quail's egg.

noun a small rodent with a long tail, known for being a pest in many urban areas

• The scientist conducted a study on the behavior of the rat in a controlled environment.
• I saw a rat scurrying across the street last night.
• That guy is such a rat, always trying to cheat his way out of things.
• She felt like a rat trapped in a maze, unable to find her way out of the complicated situation.

noun a small mammal characterized by large front teeth for gnawing and a typically long tail

• The scientist conducted a study on the behavior of the rodent species in the laboratory.
• I saw a cute little rodent scurrying around in the park yesterday.
• Watch out for those pesky rodents in the attic, they can cause a lot of damage.
• The politician was compared to a rodent, sneaking around and causing trouble behind the scenes.

noun a habit or pattern of behavior that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change

• The farmer noticed that his cows were stuck in a rut and needed to be guided out.
• I feel like I'm stuck in a rut with my job, doing the same thing every day.
• I need to mix things up, I'm tired of being in this boring rut.
• Sometimes we get stuck in a rut in life and need to make changes to move forward.

noun A soldier stationed to keep guard or control access to a place

• The sentry stood guard at the entrance to the castle.
• The sentry was posted at the front gate.
• The sentry was on duty at the checkpoint.
• The sentry of truth never wavered in the face of deception.

noun a slang term for sibling

• The siblings agreed to set up a sib committee to manage their family business.
• I'm meeting my sib for lunch later today.
• My sib and I are going to catch a movie this weekend.
• The two companies have a sib-like relationship, always collaborating and supporting each other.

noun a quick inhalation through the nose, especially to detect a smell

verb to inhale through the nose audibly, as a dog does when it smells something

• The detective sniffed the air for any traces of the suspect's scent.
• I saw the dog sniffing around the bushes in the park.
• She sniffed out the best deals at the thrift store.
• He could sniff out a lie from a mile away.

noun the act of training or domesticating an animal

verb present participle form of the verb 'to tame', which means to train or domesticate an animal

• The process of taming wild animals requires patience and skill.
• Taming a new puppy can be a lot of work, but it's worth it in the end.
• I've been taming my hair for hours and I still can't get it to look right.
• She was in the process of taming her temper, learning to control her reactions.

verb to move or flail around violently or uncontrollably

• The patient started to thrash about in bed, making it difficult for the nurse to administer the medication.
• When the music started playing, the crowd began to thrash about and dance wildly.
• After a few drinks, he started to thrash about on the dance floor like a maniac.
• In times of uncertainty, it's easy to feel like you're thrashing about in the dark, searching for a way out.

noun a tailless amphibian with a short stout body and short legs, typically having dry warty skin that can exude poison

• The biologist conducted a study on the mating habits of the toad.
• I saw a cute little toad hopping around in the garden.
• That party was so boring, it was like watching a toad try to dance.
• His voice was so deep and croaky, it sounded like a toad.

verb past tense of 'unrein', meaning to remove the reins from a horse or other animal

adjective not under control or restraint; unruly

• The horse remained unreined as it galloped through the field.
• The horse was completely unreined during the ride.
• The horse went wild, totally unreined.
• His emotions were unreined, causing him to act irrationally.

noun A wild carnivorous mammal of the dog family, living and hunting in packs

• The wolf is a carnivorous mammal of the dog family, known for its howling and hunting in packs.
• I heard there are wolves in the nearby forest, so be careful when hiking.
• That guy is a total wolf, always on the prowl for a new romantic interest.
• The new CEO is like a wolf, constantly looking for ways to outperform the competition.

noun A person who studies or works with animals, particularly in their natural habitats

• The zoologist conducted a detailed study on the behavior of a rare species of birds.
• My friend is training to become a zoologist and she loves working with animals.
• I heard that zoologists get to hang out with cool animals all day, how awesome is that?
• As a zoologist of human behavior, she was able to analyze the social dynamics of the group with precision.

noun a type of lizard known for its spiky beard-like scales under its chin

• The bearded dragon is a species of lizard native to Australia.
• I love watching my bearded dragon bask under the heat lamp.
• Check out my new pet, he's a cool bearded dragon!
• The bearded dragon of the office, always keeping an eye on everything happening.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

• The Arabian red fox is a species of fox native to the Arabian Peninsula.
• I saw an Arabian red fox while hiking in the desert.
• Check out that cool Arabian red fox chilling by the oasis.
• The Arabian red fox symbolizes adaptability and resilience in the harsh desert environment.

noun A person who takes care of dogs while their owners are away.

• The dogsitter was hired to take care of the pets while the owners were away.
• I need to find a dogsitter for the weekend trip.
• My friend is the best dogsitter in town, she loves hanging out with the pups.
• Being a dogsitter is like having a temporary furry family to look after.

noun a physical difference between male and female individuals of the same species, such as in size, shape, or coloration

• Sexual dimorphism refers to the differences in physical characteristics between males and females of the same species.
• Some species exhibit sexual dimorphism where the males and females look quite different from each other.
• Have you noticed the sexual dimorphism in those birds? The males are so much more colorful than the females!
• In the world of fashion, there is often a subtle form of sexual dimorphism where certain styles are associated more with one gender than the other.

noun a large, powerful wild cat known for its tan or tawny coat and long tail, typically found in North and South America

adjective describing the gender of the cougar as male

• The male cougar is often referred to as a 'tom' or 'stud'.
• That male cougar at the bar was hitting on all the young women.
• Check out that hot older guy, he's a total male cougar!
• In the business world, the male cougar is the experienced executive who mentors younger employees.

noun a large lizard of the genus Varanus, native to Africa, Asia, and Australia, typically having a long neck, tail, and strong claws

• The biologist observed the monitor lizard in its natural habitat.
• I saw a huge monitor lizard while hiking in the jungle.
• Dude, that monitor lizard was massive!
• The monitor lizard of bureaucracy slowly crept through the office, causing chaos wherever it went.

noun a condition in which an animal eats bones

• Osteophagia is a condition where an individual consumes bones.
• I heard that osteophagia is when someone eats bones.
• Did you know about osteophagia? It's when people chomp on bones.
• Metaphorically speaking, osteophagia can refer to someone who has a strong appetite for challenges.

noun A small marsupial native to Australia, known for its friendly and curious nature.

• The quokka is a small marsupial native to Australia.
• I saw a cute quokka hopping around in the bush.
• That quokka is so chill, just lounging in the sun.
• Her smile was as infectious as a quokka's grin.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb, indicating manner, time, place, or degree

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The startled deer ran away like a scalded cat when it heard a noise.
• I sprinted out of there like a scalded cat when I saw the spider.
• She bolted out of the room like a scalded cat when she heard her ex's name.
• The gossip spread through the office like a scalded cat, reaching everyone in minutes.

noun the state or condition of being a carnivore; the practice of living on flesh

• Carnivory is the act of consuming meat as a primary food source.
• Some animals have evolved to have a carnivorous diet.
• Eating meat is just part of the carnivory lifestyle.
• In the world of business, carnivory refers to aggressively pursuing success at all costs.

adjective having the characteristics or qualities of a snake; sneaky or deceitful

• The winding path through the forest was snakey, with twists and turns at every corner.
• I don't trust that guy, he gives off a snakey vibe.
• She's so snakey, always talking behind people's backs.
• The politician's snakey behavior was finally exposed by the media.

noun a small dry biscuit or pellet of dog food

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The nutritionist recommended feeding the dog a balanced diet of kibble and wet food.
• I always make sure to have a bag of kibble on hand for my dog.
• My pup goes crazy for that kibble, it's like his favorite treat.
• The kibble of knowledge she fed us in class was enough to keep us going for the rest of the semester.

noun A mammal of the order Pholidota native to Africa and Asia, having a body covered with large, overlapping scales and a long sticky tongue for catching ants and termites.

• The pangolin is a unique mammal covered in scales.
• I saw a cute pangolin at the zoo yesterday.
• That pangolin is totally rad!
• Her tough exterior was like a pangolin's scales, protecting her from harm.

verb to walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait

• The peacock was strutting around the garden, displaying its vibrant feathers.
• She was strutting down the street like she owned the place.
• He was strutting his stuff on the dance floor last night.
• The new CEO was strutting through the office, exuding confidence and authority.

noun a type of monkey native to Sri Lanka and southern India

• The wanderoo is a type of monkey found in South India.
• I saw a cute wanderoo at the zoo yesterday.
• Check out that funky wanderoo swinging from tree to tree!
• Her mind wandered like a wanderoo through the forest of thoughts.

noun the science of animal behavior, particularly in natural conditions

• Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior in their natural habitats.
• I find ethology fascinating because it helps us understand why animals behave the way they do.
• Ethology is like studying the 'whys' behind animal actions.
• In a way, ethology is like decoding the language of animals through their behaviors.

noun a service where someone takes care of pets in their own home while their owners are away

• I hired a professional pet sitting service to take care of my cat while I was away on vacation.
• Hey, do you think you could do some pet sitting for me this weekend? I'll pay you!
• I'm just doing some pet sitting for my neighbor's dog, easy money!
• Taking on the role of pet sitting for the team's star player, the rookie had big shoes to fill.

noun a large black and white sea mammal, also known as a killer whale

• The orca, also known as the killer whale, is a highly intelligent marine mammal.
• I saw an orca at the aquarium today, it was so cool!
• That orca show was lit, bro!
• The orca of the business world, he dominates every deal he's involved in.

noun a breed of dog that is a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle

• The cockapoo is a popular choice for families looking for a friendly and intelligent dog.
• My neighbor just got a cockapoo puppy and it's the cutest thing ever!
• I heard cockapoos are super low maintenance and great for apartment living.
• Her hair was so curly and fluffy, it reminded me of a cockapoo's coat.

noun a period of dormancy or torpor during the winter

verb to pass the winter in a dormant or torpid state

• Many animals hibernate during the winter months to conserve energy.
• I wish I could hiberdate like a bear and sleep through the cold weather.
• I'm going to hiberdate this weekend and catch up on my favorite TV shows.
• Sometimes I just want to hiberdate from the world and take a break from everything.

noun Abyssinian cat

• The Abyssinian cat is known for its unique ticked coat pattern and playful personality.
• I heard that Abyssinian cats are really energetic and love to play.
• Abyssinian cats are like the rockstars of the cat world, with their cool coats and fun attitudes.
• Her eyes were as mesmerizing as an Abyssinian cat's coat, full of depth and mystery.

noun a taxonomic genus within the family Phasianidae, consisting of the Congo peafowl, a species of bird native to the Congo Basin in central Africa

• The afropavo is a species of bird native to the forests of Africa.
• Have you ever seen an afropavo in person? They have such beautiful plumage.
• I heard that afropavos are really rare and hard to spot in the wild.
• Her colorful outfit made her look like an afropavo strutting through the party.

noun a member of a group of Hindu scriptures

• The agama lizard is commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa.
• I saw an agama chilling on a rock during my hike.
• Check out that cool agama sunbathing over there.
• Her colorful personality was like an agama lizard, always brightening up the room.

noun a small parrot of the genus Agapornis, native to Africa and often kept as a pet

• The agapornis is a small parrot species native to Africa.
• I love watching my agapornis play with its toys.
• My agapornis is such a chatterbox, always talking up a storm.
• Their relationship was like that of two agapornis, always together and inseparable.