classification

• Classification is the process of identifying, naming and sorting living things based on their physical and biological characteristics.
• We classify things into groups and categories to help us stay organized, keep track of things and be able to compare different things.
• We classify things by grouping them with other things that are similar.
• We can group living things into 5 main categories called Kingdoms: Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protists, Archaea, Bacteria, Viruses.
• Animals are living organisms that can move around and that feed on plants and other animals.
• Animals can be grouped into more specific categories such as vertebrates or invertebrates.
• Invertebrates do not have a spine or backbone.
• Vertebrates are animals that have a spine or backbone.
• There are 5 major categories of Vertebrates: Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians, Birds, Mammals.
• Fish are cold-blooded, breathe oxygen in water through gills, have scales, have fins and tails to help swim, and lay eggs.
• Reptiles are cold-blooded, have dry scaly skin, lay eggs on land, and may include snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles.
• Amphibians are cold-blooded, spend part of their life in water and part on land, have smooth skin, and may include frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders.
• Birds are warm-blooded, have feathers, lay eggs, and may include chickens, ducks, geese, and pigeons.
• Mammals are warm-blooded, have hair, give birth to live young, and nurse their babies.
• Invertebrates are a diverse group of organisms that may include insects, spiders, crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and others.
• Insects are a group of invertebrates that do not have a vertebrate or spine, therefore are considered invertebrates.
• Insects have a hard exoskeleton, have 6 legs, have 3 body parts (head, thorax, and abdomen), may have wings and antennae.