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Plant Survival

Plants cannot move freely.  Therefore, their seeds and fruits need to be dispersed from the parent plants.  They are dispersed by wind, animal, water or explosive mechanism.

Coconut

Pong Pong

These fruits are dispersed by water.  They are covered with waxy skin.  It prevents water from entering the fruit.  Air spaces in the husk help the fruit to float.



Angsana
Milkweed


Shorea
                                                                                             

These seeds and fruits are dispersed by wind.  They are small, light, dry and have wing-like structure or fine hair.  These characteristics help them to be flown far away easily.








These seeds and fruits are dispersed by animals.  Most of these fruits are brightly coloured, fleshy, edible and have smells.  The seeds are usually hard.
Rambutan
Papaya


Mimosa


Some fruits have hooks that can be attached to animals.


















These fruits disperse their seeds by explosive mechanism.  They dry up and burst to push the seeds out from the fruits.













Dispersal of seeds and fruits help to scatter them far away from the parent plants.   This helps to ensure the survival of plant species.


Read more on Seed Dispersal... Click here

Animal Survival - Part II

Let us look at how some animals take care of their eggs and young


Frog lay slimy eggs.  The slimy covering will then be eaten by the tadpoles when the eggs hatch.


Cockroaches lay their eggs and hide them in dark places such as in the cupboard.

Birds feed their young until the young can fly out of the nest to find their own food.

Elephants stay in their herds.  

How does this behaviour protect their cubs?
Read this !


Kangaroos carry their joeys in their pouches since birth.  They nurse their joeys with milk.  Joeys will be safe and warm in the pouch until they are too big to fit into the pouch.


Male snakeheads keep their young in their mouth to protect them.


A tiger mother will take care of her cubs until they are six to eight weeks old.  Attacking the enemies is a way the mother tries to protect its cubs.



Animals take care of their eggs and young from being eaten or destroyed by their enemies.  This will ensure the survival of their species.


Click here back to Animal Survival - Part I

Animal Survival - Part I

Tigers, elephants, cats and cows are different species of animals.  Species are similar types of living things that can breed among themselves.




Animals reproduce to make sure their species continue to exist.  However, being able to reproduce is not enough.  Animals have to take care of their eggs and young.


These are examples of animals that take care of their eggs.

Snake

Bird

Sea horse


Penguin


Crocodile


These are examples of animals that take care of their young.

Bat

Cow

Dolphin

Dugong


Click here continue to Animal Survival - Part II