Animal coverings help them live — Biology, 4–6 years
Fur, feathers, scales and shells are coverings on animal bodies. They can help with warmth, water, protection or blending in.
A body’s outer layer
An animal’s covering is the part on the outside of its body. A duck has feathers, a fish has scales, a sheep has wool and a tortoise has a hard shell. These coverings are different because animals face different needs.
Why do coverings matter?
Animals live in cold, hot, wet or rough places, and their bodies need help there. A covering can slow heat loss, keep water out or make a body harder to hurt. Asking what a covering does is more useful than simply naming it.
A duck in water
Watch a duck leave a pond. First, water sits on its feathers instead of soaking straight through. Next, the duck shakes, and drops fly away. Its feathers and the oil on them help keep the skin and the warm body underneath dry.
The trap: one covering, one job
It is tempting to say that fur only keeps an animal warm, because a coat keeps us warm. That is a sensible first thought. Fur may also protect skin, help an animal feel touch and make its outline less easy to see.
Clues on a walk
You can use coverings as clues when observing animals outside. A duck’s feathers may look sleek and wet, while a snail carries a shell and a hedgehog has spines. Observe from a distance; never touch a wild animal to inspect its covering.
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