Classification of Animals

Classification of Animals

© Diane Hawkins Graphics by kind permission from PC Advisor - 10,000 Clipart March 1999 Cover CD ROM

Classification of Animals

Scientists have divided the Animal Kingdom into two main groups:

vertebrates (animals with a backbone)

and

invertebrates (animals without a backbone)

Vertebrates

Animals with backbones can be divided into five more groups:

Mammals

Birds

Reptiles

Amphibians

Fish

Invertebrates

Animals without a backbone.

Vertebrates

Animals with a backbone.

Mammals

Give birth to live young. Feed their babies with their own milk. Are more or less covered with hair. Are warm-blooded.

Birds

Have feathers. Lay eggs. Are warm-blooded.

Reptiles

Are cold-blooded. Lay eggs. Have a dry skin covered with scales.

Amphibians

Are cold-blooded. Lay eggs. Have a smooth, moist skin. Are able to live on land as well as in the water.

Fish

Are cold-blooded. Lay eggs (but some do give birth to live young). Have a moist skin covered in scales. Breathe through gills.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a mammal. My body is warm and furry. I feed my babies on milk. I give birth to live young.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a mammal. My body is covered in hair, or fur. I feed my babies on milk. I give birth to live young.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am an amphibian. My body is moist and smooth. I lay eggs. I like to live in or near to water.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a bird. My body is warm and covered with feathers. I lay eggs which hatch out into chicks.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

Although I have wings, I am in fact a mammal. My body is covered in hair, not feathers. I feed my babies on milk. I do not lay eggs.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a mammal. If you stand very close to me, you will see I have hairs on my body. I feed my babies on milk. I do not lay eggs.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a reptile. My body is covered in dry scales. I lay eggs.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a bird. My body is warm and covered with feathers. I lay eggs which hatch out into chicks.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a fish. My body is cold to touch and is covered in scales. I lay eggs. I use gills to breathe with under water.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a reptile. My body is covered in dry scales. I lay eggs.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am an amphibian. My body is moist and smooth. I lay eggs. I like to live in or near to water.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a mammal. My body is warm and furry. I feed my babies on milk. I give birth to live young.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a reptile. My body is covered in dry scales. I lay eggs.

What am I

Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a fish. My body is cold to touch and is covered in scales. I lay eggs. I use gills to breathe with under water.