Arboreal
- Pronunciation
- /ar-BOR-ee-ul/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- Arboreal
- Plural
- Arboreals
Definition
Relating to or residing in trees; often used to describe animals, especially insects and arachnids, that live and move about in trees.
Etymology
From Latin 'arbor', meaning 'tree'.
Example
The arboreal habits of certain spiders allow them to capture prey among the branches and leaves of trees.
Synonyms
Related Terms
- Terrestrial
- Aquatic
- Aerial
Usage Notes
The term 'arboreal' is often used in contrast to 'terrestrial', which describes ground-dwelling species.