Animal Classification Study Guide

A.  Vocabulary:

1. vertebrates- animals that have a backbone and an internal skeletal system.
2. invertebrates- animals that do not have a backbone.
3. exoskeleton- a hard outer covering on some insects.
4. warm-blooded- an animal that keeps its body temperature in the same range at all times.
5. cold-blooded- an animal that takes on the temperature of its environment.
6. camouflage- an animal’s coloration that makes it look like part of its habitat.

B.  Students should know three characteristics of each type of vertebrate- mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
Mammals:                                                   Birds:

1. breathe with lungs                            1.  breathe with lungs
2. have hair or fur                                               2.  have feathers
3. are born alive                                      3.  lay hard-shelled eggs                      
4. are warm-blooded                             4.  are warm-blooded

5.  drink mothers’ milk                            5.  have wings

Amphibians:                                              Reptiles:

1. breathe with gills/lungs                   1.  breathe with lungs
2. have smooth, moist skin                  2.  have scales or plates
3. lay eggs in water (no shell)             3.  lay eggs on land (leathery shell)
4. are cold-blooded                               4.  are cold-blooded
5. go through metamorphosis            5.  have toes with claws (except

       snakes)
Fish:

1. breathe with gills
2. have slimy scales
3. lay eggs without shells
4. are cold-blooded
5. have fins

C.  Students should be able to name three animals and tell one observable physical characteristic that allows each animal to survive in its environment.  For example:

Animal:                                                  Physical Characteristic:
1.  bear                                                  1.  claws

1. turtle                                                2.  shell
2. porcupine                                      3.  quills
3. frog                                                   4.  poisonous liquid