Childrens Illustrated Animal Atlas

51

Common European adder

The adder is the only venomous snake

in Britain, but this shy, secretive snake is rarely seen. The zigzag pattern on its back helps it hide under leaf litter.

FRANCE

LocationThis group of islands is found off the northwest coast of mainland Europe. The weather is often wet and windy, but summers can also be very warm.

Bumblebees collect pollen

and nectar from flowers.

Buff-tailed bumblebeeUnlike honeybees, which live in hives, bumblebees nest in the ground, usually in an abandoned mouse or vole hole.

They are important pollinators and rarely sting.

G

R

A

M

P

AI

N

S

Scotland

Northern

Ireland

C

h

a

n

n

e

l

ONS

DW

O

N

AI

Wales

I

s

la

n

d

s

Cardiff

Dublin

IRELAND

LAKE DISTRICT

hT

a

m

se

eS

ev

nr

M

er

se

y

England

E

N

G

L

I

S

H

C

H

A

N

N

E

L

UNITED KINGDOM

hS

na

on

n

worraB

O

us

e

Male deer are called stags. Their horns, called antlers, must be regrown every year and can reach 3 ft (1 m) across.

Red deer

Shore crabs must shed their old shells as they grow because once it hardens, the shell can’t get any bigger.

Green

shore crab

The red kite likes to decorate its nest with odd items—and has even been known to steal clothes from clotheslines!

Red kite

The barn owl has a heart-shaped face. Its color and silent flight mean it is often called the “ghost owl.”

Barn owl

Tiny, feisty robins sing even in winter. A male robin will fight to the death for his territory, which he may keep for life.

European

robin

Webbed feet make

the otter a fast, agile swimmer. It has two layers of fur: a warm inner one, and a thick, waterproof outer one.

Eurasian

otter

Shallow, cold-water

bays are this porpoise’s favorite place. It hunts for fish and shellfish on the seabed.

Harbor porpoise

The dormouse’s paws turn sideways to help it climb. It can spend three-quarters of the year either asleep or in hibernation!

Hazel

dormouse

Seven-spot This tiny beetle eats a pest called an aphid. Just one ladybug can eat over 5,000 aphids in its lifetime—which is just one year.

ladybug

English oaks can grow up to 131 ft (40 m) high. They don’t produce acorns until they are at least 40 years old.

English

oak tree

Belfast

London

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