The Wild Horses of Cumberland Island: A Scientific Report
Cumberland Island is a beautiful barrier island located off the coast of Georgia. It is famous for its wide beaches, maritime forests, and historic ruins. However, its most famous residents are the wild horses that roam freely across the island. While these animals are a popular sight for tourists, scientists study them to understand their history and their impact on the island's delicate ecosystem.
A History of the Island Horses The horses on Cumberland Island are not native to North America. They are considered "feral," which means they are domestic animals that now live in a wild state. Historians believe that horses first arrived on the island in the 1500s with Spanish explorers. Later, in the 1700s and 1800s, English settlers and wealthy landowners brought more horses to the island for farming and transportation.
By the late 1900s, the island became a national seashore protected by the government. The horses were left to live on their own without human care. Today, a herd of about 150 to 200 horses roams the island, surviving on their own by searching for food and fresh water.
- Barrier island:
- A long, narrow island lying parallel to the mainland that protects the coast from erosion and storms.
- Feral:
- An animal that was once domestic but now lives and survives in a wild state.
- Erosion:
- The wearing away of land, soil, or sand by natural forces like wind and water.
- Invasive species:
- A non-native animal or plant that enters an ecosystem and causes harm to the environment.
- Ecosystem:
- A community of living things interacting with each other and their physical environment.
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- 1Where is Cumberland Island located?
- 2What does the word "feral" mean in relation to the horses on Cumberland Island?
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About this report passage for Upper Elementary
“The Wild Horses of Cumberland Island: A Scientific Report” is a report reading passage about Ecology and Invasive Species, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (501 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.