Many are interested in the animal world and its features. It is present in absolutely every corner of the globe. In our article you can find out information not only about the largest and smallest representatives of the fauna, but also find out what features the genitals of animals have and the process of their reproduction.
General information about animals
Animals are representatives of the biological kingdom. They are the main object of study of zoology. In the cells of animals there is a centrosphere. It is for this reason that they are referred to as eukaryotes. The main factors of animals include the following factors:
- Nutrition prepared organic matter.
- Active movement.
Many believe that the animal kingdom includes only mammals. This opinion is erroneous. In fact, animals also include fish, birds, insects, and many others. Previously, this biological kingdom also included microorganisms that had only one cell. Now the term "animals" refers only to multicellular organisms.
To date, scientists have described more than a million of the most diverse species of animals. Arthropods occupy the first place in numbers. Experts suggest that the entire animal kingdom came from flagellated microorganisms. Most of the species of fauna known to us appeared about 500 million years ago. However, many scientists suggest that this happened much earlier.
All animals feed on other living organisms. It is for this reason that they are heterotrophs. All representatives of the fauna according to the method of nutrition are divided into the following groups:
- Herbivores.
- Carnivores.
- Parasites.
- Omnivores.
All animals differ significantly in terms of life expectancy, method of nutrition and reproduction. For this reason, all representatives of the animal world are considered separately.
The structure of the reproductive organs in sheep and goats. Features of the reproductive system in males
The reproductive system is closely related to the functioning of the whole body. Their main purpose is procreation.
The genitals of a male ram and goat include:
- Seed plants.
- Seed wires and cords.
- The gonads.
- Scrotum.
- Genitourinary canal.
- Penis.
The reproductive organs in goats and rams produce several milliliters of seminal fluid.
The testis is the main organ of reproductive function in the male. In it occurs the formation and development of sperm. It is also worth noting that it is the testis that produces male hormones. In a ram, this organ has a weight of 300 grams, and in a goat, it is half as much.
The testis has an oval shape. Next to it is an appendage. In it, mature sperm are found over a large amount of time.
The testis is located in the scrotum. In males of small cattle, it is located between the thighs. The temperature in the scrotum is much lower than in the rest of the body. This factor is favorable for the development of constituents of seminal fluid.
The skin of the scrotum has glands. Its surface is covered with hair. A flexible tissue is located under the skin of this organ. It forms a septum and divides the testis into two parts.
The main function of the genitourinary system is the allocation of seminal fluid and urine from the body. The organ consists of the mucous membrane and muscle, as well as the spongy layer.
Features of the reproductive system in females of small cattle
The genitals of animals of different species differ significantly. For this reason, each group of fauna must be considered separately.
The female reproductive organs of small cattle include:
- The ovaries.
- The fallopian tubes.
- Vagina.
- Uterus.
- The external genitalia.
The ovaries are oval-shaped organs. They are located in the lower part of the spine. It is in this body that female sex cells and hormones are formed. Almost the entire surface of the ovaries is covered with an embryonic epithelium. Underneath is the follicular zone in which the egg and follicle form.
The fallopian tube is a narrow tube that connects to the uterus. Its length ranges from 12 to 16 centimeters. It is in it that fertilization occurs.
The uterus is the organ in which the fetus develops. During the birth process, she pushes the baby out through the birth canal. The uterus consists of horns, a body and a neck.
Reproduction of small cattle. Fertilization and Pregnancy
Reproduction is a process that is inherent in any living organism. The main purpose of reproduction is the reproduction of oneself for reproduction. The reproduction of vertebrates occurs due to the connection of two cells - the sperm and the egg. Their formation is possible only after puberty. In small cattle, it occurs at 7-8 months of life. Puberty may occur later. It depends on the characteristics of the breed and physical condition.
Sheep and goats undergo several sexual cycles per year. Each of them lasts from an average of two weeks to 20 days. Throughout the cycle, the body undergoes a wide variety of changes, namely, preparation for fertilization and pregnancy.
If pregnancy did not occur after the fertilization process, then in females of small cattle the balancing stage begins. The genitals of animals cease to form eggs at 8-10 years of life.
In the event of fertilization, nutrients accumulate in the female cattle. Pregnancy lasts an average of 5 months.
Nerve endings in the genitals of the animal kingdom
The genitals of animals cause a lot of controversy among zoologists. Nerve endings pass through them. Some zoologists believe that in the reproductive organs of females there is an independent nerve center. However, studies by other specialists do not confirm this.
The uterus includes a large number of nerve endings that are associated with other vital organs. This fact allows us to explain the occurrence of sharp pain during labor.
The reproductive system in horses. Fertilization Features
Reproduction and the genitals of a horse have several characteristics. You can find out this and much more in our article.
To the external genital organs of the male include the penis and testes. The female reproductive organs include the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and vulva. The period when the horse is ready for fertilization is called hunting. It lasts from 3 to 10 days. After the end of the hunting period, the female does not tolerate the close presence of the male for a month. Typically, this process occurs in the summer or autumn season. In the event that pregnancy has not occurred, then the hunting period is repeated.
When breeding horses, artificial insemination is often used. This allows you to get rid of transportation problems and the unwillingness of the female to breed. Pregnancy can only be established by a veterinarian. To do this, he examines the uterus through the rectum. The genitals of the animal during pregnancy noticeably swell.
Pregnancy lasts for 11 months. The duration of this process depends on the feeding, content and age of the animal. The duration of the sexual cycle in females is from 20 to 24 days.
Reproductive organs in monkeys. Difference from human
Many people believe that man came from a monkey. This fact is often refuted by zoologists. This is due to a significant difference in the features of the structure and reproduction. Surprisingly, males of monkeys are able to recognize when the female goes through a period of ovulation. It is no secret that people do not have this feature. Monkeys also differ in the absence of menopause. This feature is present in only one species.
The genitals of monkeys and their structure are also significantly different from human ones. Females have no hymen. The male genitalia includes cartilage bone in its structure.
Distinguish a female parrot from a male
Often animal lovers are interested in how to distinguish a male from a female parrot. At first glance, doing it yourself is impossible. In our article you can find out the features of sex determination.
A parrot is a small bird that is a representative of the animal kingdom. Females have a wax of blue, pink or brown. Its color may vary depending on the general hormonal background. Females who have reached puberty and are ready for fertilization have a brown wax.
Sexual intercourse or its imitation can also help in determining sex. The female is always located below, and only males imitate the regenerative process.
The smallest representatives of the animal kingdom
It's no secret that the smallest animals are a rarity. Dwarf lemurs live on the island of Madagascar. Their maximum height is 20 centimeters, and the average weight is not more than 300 grams. Lemurs are nocturnal. These animals belong to the family of semi-monkeys.
Zoologists believe that in order for an animal to exist, its weight should be at least 2.5 grams. However, there are exceptions. A dwarf shrew weighs one and a half grams. To maintain life, she constantly eats. The daily diet of a dwarf shrew is much larger than its own weight. Surprisingly, she practically does not sleep. In order not to die, she must search for food around the clock.
The smallest animals often cause joy and delight. Sometimes their sizes are shocking. Differs in its small data and "Microscopic" chameleon. Its length is not more than three centimeters, and its growth without a tail is only 16 millimeters. This chameleon was discovered in 2007. Zoologists described it only four years ago. The "miniature" chameleons have two rows of spikes along the ridge.
The smallest snakes are narrow-necked. Their length is 10 centimeters. Short-snakes are not poisonous. Eggs of ants and small insects serve as food for them. Such reptiles are hiding in the sand or under stones. Surprisingly, the female can only bear one egg. This is not accidental, because the cub is half the size of its mother.
The biggest animals before and now
Sarcosuchus is the largest crocodile. It existed about 100 million years ago. His diet included not only fish, but also dinosaurs. This is not accidental, because its growth was about 12 meters. It is known that its weight ranges up to 6 tons.
The largest animals have died out long ago. Another representative is the gigantoraptor. Surprisingly, the skin of this dinosaur included plumage. The gananoraptor lived about 80 million years ago in the territory of modern China. Its length was 8 meters and a mass of 2 tons.
Brontoscorpion is the largest scorpion. Its length was about 1 meter. It existed approximately 400 million years ago.
Josephoartigasia is the largest representative among rodents. It is known that it existed 3 million years ago. Its length reached 3 meters and a mass of 2 tons. Josepho-artigasia is believed to be the largest animal herbivore that lived in South America.
Meganevra is the largest dragonfly. Its length is half a meter. The wingspan of such a dragonfly is almost a meter. She lived 300 million years ago.
Big animals exist today. Blue whale is a marine mammal. It is believed that this is the largest animal in the world. The length of the blue whale is 30 meters, and its weight ranges up to 180 tons. Surprisingly, the language of this animal alone is more than two tons. It is worth noting that approximately the same weight is the average Asian elephant. The mass of the heart of the blue whale is more than 500 kilograms. He feeds on plankton. He eats about three tons of food a day.
The African elephant is the largest land animal. Males reach up to 7.5 meters in length and weigh up to 6 tons. Females are smaller. Their length reaches 7 meters, and their weight is 3 tons.
It is no secret that the highest land animal is a giraffe. He lives in Africa. The length of the giraffe is 5-6 meters, and the weight ranges up to 1600 kilograms. The neck of this animal is very long. It accounts for almost half the growth of the giraffe.
The largest predator in the world is considered the Southern elephant seal. Males weigh on average from 2 to 4 thousand kilograms and reach up to 6 meters in length.
The largest reptile in the world is considered a marine crocodile. It lives in Australia, India and Asia. The weight of an adult marine crocodile can range up to 1000 kilograms and a length of up to 5.5 meters. It feeds on insects, amphibians, mollusks and fish. However, it can attack any living creature that is on its territory.
