» WILD ANIMALS | Learn all about these peculiar species

What are Wild Animals?

Wild animals are all animals that live in freedom. These animals do not need a man to survive because they fend for themselves. They do not need help to feed or shelter.

They are an extensive and wide variety of animals. We can find them in different parts, of all sizes and colors. These animals have always been very characteristic. They are not animals that usually live with humans. Mostly, they are far from everyday life.

Characteristics of wild animals

These animals are essential to our planet. They are part of our biodiversity and ecosystem. They make up a large part of terrestrial life. Animals and plants are related to each other in order to make life cycles successful and the environment preserved.

These types of animals cannot be domesticated, nor can they live with the man. This is because evolution itself has imposed characteristics on them that help them survive. For this reason, they often feel threatened by the presence of humans and respond to these threats with violence.

Each type of animal has different characteristics. Their lifestyles and survival methods change in all species. These animals must be able to adapt to their environment. Some inhabit their original habitat, and others have been forced to move elsewhere because of climate change and the deterioration of their habitat. If they do not adapt, they become extinct.

Their lifestyle and adaptation to the environment

Wild animals follow a basic lifestyle. They spend their lives feeding, defending themselves from other animals, and reproducing to keep their species alive. They are in constant movement and stalking their prey for food; this is common. However, not all species feed in the same way.

Each animal has qualities that distinguish it from the others. Some are fast, have excellent senses of smell and sight. Others are ferocious, camouflaged among trees, or by simple evolution have weapons. These qualities allow them to develop and form one more link in the food chain. All animals play the role of both predators and prey.

Forms of survival in wildlife

They are always aware of the danger, and they must avoid becoming prey to possible predators. They must also hunt to feed themselves and not die. Only strong species survive. It is what natural selection has marked in them in the same way.

To achieve their mission of survival, some species of animals live in groups, which are known as herds. Hierarchies also arise. The existence of an alpha male that guides the herd is common.

They conduct organized hunts to bring down prey that is too large to be hunted by any one individual. In this way, they can guarantee food for everyone. This happens on African plains, oceans, high altitudes, and in all habitats.

For this reason, we find more animals in groups than alone. Some cannot survive on their own.

Aquatic, terrestrial and aerial life forms

In each habitat, wild animals develop in different ways.

Aquatic

Aquatic and terrestrial life are very different. Aquatic wildlife has developed special techniques. In this way, they manage to survive and form their lives under the sea. Under the sea, predators are on the lookout; it becomes difficult to protect young and get food.

One of the most feared predators of the sea is the shark. This animal is carnivorous and aggressive. It is a quite vulnerable animal. It has a slow development, and it takes several years to reach a sufficient age to reproduce. Also, it tends to have few offspring.

Terrestrial

Terrestrial life is easier but no less complicated than that of aquatic animals. Predators are on the lookout, and animals are at risk and in danger. Thanks to evolution, they are often wild and aggressive. However, an important characteristic is that they are protective. They are usually territorial and jealous, and they do not allow other animals to enter their territories.

Air

The animals that lead this way of life are very free. However, it is not as true as it appears to be. There are aggressive animals, such as the Eagle and other birds of prey, that are true predators.

Aerial life forms are the most important for our ecosystem and biodiversity. They fulfill one of the most important roles on the planet, and that is to maintain life.

Aerial animals take refuge at high altitudes, are usually territorial, and are very protective of their offspring. Food is difficult to find, especially when they are in the care of their offspring, as they must leave them alone to go out to look for food.

Habitat and types of wild animals

Wild animals are found in different habitats.

Jungle

It is characterized by having an extensive and vast amount of vegetation. The temperature in the jungle can vary. This varies between humid or dry, depending on the time of year.

A large amount of vegetation found in the jungles allows herbivorous animals to have an abundant diet. The wild animals and carnivores that live there take advantage of this. They have developed camouflages and instincts that allow them to survive, even in such a hostile place. The jungle is the habitat of several animals famous for their veracity, such as the panther.

Wild Animals that live in the Jungle:

Forest

Forests and jungles do not differ much. They predominate because they have an ecosystem full of trees and plants. Life is quiet; however, it is not saved from the risks it brings.

The animals that live in the forest have a guaranteed diet. They have at their disposal varieties of seeds, roots, and plants. Therefore, food is not a problem for herbivores.

Wild Animals that live in the forest:

Desert

Deserts are arid habitats. It is challenging for an organism to adapt to it. The vegetation and animals that manage to survive the desert have been endowed with survival mechanisms, courtesy of natural selection. The few plants that exist are usually located where underground water sources are found, forming an Oasis.

The desert is home to animals such as the scorpion, various types of snakes, and many arachnids. These usually have glands with poison and can go many days without consuming a drop of water.

Wild animals in the Desert:

Ocean

The seas and oceans are the most significant habitat there is. It covers 71% of the earth’s surface; presumably, the enormous diversity of species is found there.

The habitat does not pose a danger to the fish that live in it, and it is the animals themselves who represent the danger. Like aggressive fish that feed on smaller fish. They hunt in groups, as has been seen in some shark species.

In the ocean, you can see some examples of symbiosis. That is cases in which two species of fish decide to help each other and cease to be enemies, for their mutual benefit and convenience.

Wild Animals in the ocean:

Feeding of wild animals

All wild animals feed; differently, not all are carnivores, as you might think.

Herbivore

Herbivorous food is mainly based on plants. Herbivorous animals can be classified in many ways, as they do not only consume plants. Some may eat only fruits, others only seeds. However, some animals are called xylophages, and they eat only wood. Some animals also eat roots.

Omnivore

The omnivorous food is nothing more than the combination of the herbivorous and the carnivorous. Animals on this diet eat both meat (animals) and plants. They do not limit themselves to eating something specific. It is not very difficult for them to get food because they enjoy dietary flexibility.

Carnivore

The carnivorous diet is based on a strict diet of meat. Most wild animals are usually carnivorous. This is because their leading food is other animals.

More relevant information about Wild Animals