It has two curved handles, called
pommels, on top. Gymnasts grip the
pommels with their hands. They move
their bodies, especially the legs, constantly
around the pommel horse.
The rings (or still rings) are an apparatus
made up of two small circles. The rings
are attached to straps hanging from an
overhead support. While grasping the
rings, the gymnast performs a routine in
midair. The routine combines swinging
movements and the holding of certain
positions.
In the event called the vault, the gymnast
leaps over an apparatus called a
vaulting table. A springboard is placed at
one end of the vaulting table. The gymnast
takes a running start and jumps off
the springboard. Then the gymnast
pushes off the vaulting table with the
hands. Before landing, the gymnast performs
such acrobatic feats as twists or
cartwheels.
The parallel bars are two long bars raised
6.5 feet (2 meters) above the floor. A
routine on the bars includes swings,
handstands, and other feats.
The event called the horizontal bar (or
high bar) has the gymnast perform on a
A rhythmic gymnast performs
with a ribbon.
174 Gymnastics BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
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Hair is made of the same material
as horns and nails.
(See Hair.)
The human hand has more than
27 bones.
(See Hand.)
The Jewish holiday called
Hanukkah is also called the
Festival of Lights.
(See Hanukkah.)
Some people keep hedgehogs
as pets.
(See Hedgehog.)
A helicopter can fly straight up
and down, sideways, or backward.
It can also spin around
or hover in the air.
(See Helicopter.)
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla is
known as the Father of
Mexican Independence.
(See Hidalgo y Costilla, Miguel.)
Hh
Habitat
A habitat is the home of an animal or a
plant. Almost every place on Earth—
from the hottest desert to the coldest ice
pack—is a habitat for some kinds of
animals and plants. Most habitats
include a community of animals and
plants along with water, oxygen, soil or
sand, and rocks. This community is
known as an ecosystem.
Types of Habitats
The two main types of habitats are land
habitats and water habitats. Among the
many types of land habitats are rain forests,
deserts, and mountains. Because of
their moist climate, rain forests support
more kinds of plant and animal life than
any other habitat. In contrast, deserts
support only animals and plants that can
live without much water. Mountain
habitats have thin soil and cold temperatures.
Only hardy plants and animals
live there. Other types of forests, grasslands,
and tundras provide other land
habitats.
Water habitats may contain freshwater
or salt water. Freshwater habitats include
streams, rivers, swamps, marshes, ponds,
and lakes. Saltwater habitats include
oceans, seas, salt lakes, salt marshes, and
saltwater swamps. Some animals and
plants, such as fish and seaweed, live
entirely in the water. Others, such as
otters and riverweeds, live partly in and
partly out of the water.
Adaptation
Over long periods of time animals adapt
to fit their habitat. This means that they
develop traits that help them to survive
where they live. Animals adapt so that
they can stay safe, travel well, and find
food in their habitat.
Many animals that live in cold habitats
grow thick coats of fur to keep them
warm. Their fur may also be white so
that their enemies cannot see them
when the ground is covered with snow.
The hard shell of the desert tortoise
keeps in moisture and protects it from
enemies. Dolphins have sleek bodies for
swimming in the ocean. Giraffes have
long necks so that they can nibble tender
leaves from the tops of trees.
#More to explore
Adaptation • Ecosystem
Hades
In ancient Greek mythology Hades was
the god of the underworld, or land of
the dead. He was one of the 12 main
gods of Mount Olympus. The ancient
Greeks also called him Pluto, which was
his Roman name. Once people died and
A deer and her fawn stand in a forest. Forests
provide habitats for many living things.
4 Habitat BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
went to the underworld, they could not
leave. For this reason Hades was often
pictured holding a key. This represented
his role as jailer of the dead.
According to legend, Hades was the son
of Cronus and Rhea, king and queen of
the Titans. The Titans were giants who
ruled the world. Hades’ brothers were
the gods Poseidon and Zeus. The three
