Understanding Animal Classification: Vertebrates vs. Invertebrates
This guide explores how animals are classified based on shared characteristics such as appearance, habitat, and dietary habits. It delves into two primary groups: vertebrates (animals with backbones, including fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals) and invertebrates (those without backbones, such as insects and worms). Learn about distinguishing traits of each group, like body covering, temperature regulation, and reproduction. Dive into the fascinating world of animal diversity and discover how different species adapt to their environments.
Understanding Animal Classification: Vertebrates vs. Invertebrates
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Presentation Transcript
Classifying • Group animals by similar characteristics • Including: what they look like, where they live, and what they eat. • Back bones, cold or warm blood, body covering, how they breath, live on land or in water, how they are born, and how they take care of their young.
Invertebrates • Include animals who do not have a backbone/spine. • Largest class • Earthworms, oysters, moths, spiders, insects
Vertebrates • Do have a backbone/spine • Include: fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals
Fish • Have scales, and a slimy coating on the outside of their body • They use gills to take oxygen from the water • They live in water • Have a back bone – vertebrates • Cold blooded – can not regulate their body temperature
Mammals • Have a backbone – Vertebrate • Breath in oxygen through lungs • Are warm blooded and can regulate their body temperature. • Give birth to live offspring • Mothers produce milk to feed young • Fur or Hair on their outer body • People, horses, dogs
Birds • Have a backbone – vertebrate • Body is covered with feathers – wings (not all birds can fly) • Use a beak to eat • Lay eggs covered in shells • Warm blooded
Amphibians • Live on water and on land • Breath through their skin • Cold blooded – can not regulate their body temperature • Have a backbone – vertebrates • Frogs, salamander
Reptiles • Live on land • Have a backbone – vertebrate • Breath using lungs • Covered in scales • Most lay eggs • Lizards, snaked, turtles • Cold blooded