Why do you think jefferson wanted to know about the animals and plants of the new land

Jefferson could have had many reasons for wanting to know what animals and plants inhabited the new lands. He may have wanted to know if there was anything valuable like furs or skins that could be used for income. He may have also wanted explorers and scientists to find plants that could be used as medicines to treat disease. Jefferson may have also had questions about the safety of anyone who moved out west and what they would encounter.