Classifying animals

• What are the six major animal classifications?

  Invertebrates, Vertebrates, Fish, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals
• What is an invertebrate?

  An invertebrate is an animal without a backbone.
• Name three examples of invertebrates.

  Millipedes, Mantis, Lobsters
• How are insects characterized?

  Insects have six legs and three body segments.
• What distinguishes arachnids from insects?

  Arachnids have ten limbs and two body segments.
• What group do insects and arachnids belong to?

  They belong to a group called arthropods.
• What are arthropods characterized by?

  Arthropods have hard exoskeletons with jointed legs.
• Name two other invertebrate groups besides arthropods.

  Annelids and nematodes.
• What is a vertebrate?

  A vertebrate is an animal with a backbone.
• Name three examples of vertebrates.

  Tortoises, dolphins, sloths.
• What are the five groups of fish?

  • Hagfish: do not have fins or scales
  • Lampreys: do not have fins or scales
  • Cartilaginous: sharks, rays, and ratfish
  • Ray-finned: majority of fish with tiny 'rays' in their fins
  • Lobe-finned: very few, with fins having bone and muscle
• What is a characteristic of amphibians' skin?

  Amphibians have semi-permeable skin that can take in water.
• How do amphibians reproduce?

  They lay 'jelly eggs' in water.
• Name three examples of amphibians.

  Toads, frogs, axolotls.
• What are the characteristics of reptiles?

  Reptiles have dry skin, lay eggs, and have scales.
• Name three examples of reptiles.

  Snakes, lizards, crocodiles.
• What are the key features of birds?

  Birds have beaks, wings, feathers, and are warm-blooded.
• Name three examples of birds.

  Canaries, parrots, owls.
• What are the characteristics of mammals?

  Mammals are warm-blooded, have fur or hair, and produce milk for their young.
• Name three examples of mammals.

  Primates, rodents, lions.
• What is the scientific naming pattern for organisms?

  It follows the pattern of Genus species.
• What is the scientific name for humans?

  Homo sapiens.
• What is the scientific name for the African Elephant?

  Loxodonta africana.
• What is the flowchart activity about animal classification?

  • Think of ten different animal species
  • Create a flowchart using yes/no questions
  • Start with basic descriptions (e.g., does it have legs?)
  • Get more specific as the flowchart progresses
• What should you do before leaving the class?

  • Give an example of an animal from each group:
  • Mammal
  • Bird
  • Reptile
  • Amphibian
  • Fish
  • Invertebrate
  • Ensure examples are unique
• What information should be included in the extension task poster?

  • Habitat
  • Diet (herbivore, omnivore, carnivore)
  • Is the animal prey or a predator?
  • Adaptation (what helps the animal live in their habitat?)
  • Is the animal social or solitary?
  • Fun fact