Animals and Wildlife
Name, describe and talk about the animals around you.
From hedgehogs in the garden to deer in the forest, wildlife is a favourite topic in conversation and in exams. Learn the words to describe animals, their behaviour and the threats they face.
Key Words
Ten essential words with their German meaning and an example sentence.
| English | German | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mammal | Säugetier | Bats are the only mammals that can really fly. |
| predator | Raubtier, Beutegreifer | Foxes are natural predators of mice and rabbits. |
| prey | Beute | Small birds are prey for sparrowhawks. |
| species | Art | More than 200 bird species have been recorded here. |
| endangered | gefährdet | The European mink is one of Europe's most endangered mammals. |
| nocturnal | nachtaktiv | Badgers are nocturnal, so you rarely see them during the day. |
| to hibernate | Winterschlaf halten | Hedgehogs hibernate from late autumn until spring. |
| insect | Insekt | Many insects are in decline across Europe. |
| habitat | Lebensraum | Old hedges are an important habitat for small animals. |
| herd · flock · swarm | Herde · Schwarm | a herd of deer, a flock of geese, a swarm of bees |
Word Partners
Natural English depends on words that belong together. Learn these as complete phrases.
- endangered species
- natural predator
- animal behaviour
- wildlife population
- to spot wildlife
- to feed on
- extinct in the wild
- a flock of birds
"Barn owls feed mainly on small mammals such as voles and mice."
Useful Phrases
Sentence patterns you can use straight away.
Describing an animal
- It's about the size of a…
- It has thick brown fur and a bushy tail.
- It feeds mainly on…
- You're most likely to see it at dusk.
Talking about numbers
- Numbers have fallen sharply since…
- It's under threat from…
- It's making a comeback in…
- It's now protected by law.
Talk About It
Answer these questions aloud, write a short paragraph, or discuss them with a partner.
- Which wild animals live near your home?
- Have you ever seen a wild animal that surprised you?
- Should wolves be welcome in the German countryside again?
- Why are insects so important for nature – and for us?
Test Yourself
Click a question to see the answer.
1. What is the opposite of "predator"?
Prey.
2. What do we call animals that are active at night?
Nocturnal animals.
3. Complete: "a ___ of bees".
A swarm of bees.
Explore More
Related topics on Talking English.
Talk about animals and wildlife.
Learn the words, use them in real sentences and share what you notice with others.
Watch. Name. Describe. Protect.