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Types of Animals

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What Are the Different Types of Animals?

  • Scientists group animals based on how they look and how their bodies work.
  • There are two main groups: vertebrates (animals with a backbone) and invertebrates (animals without a backbone).
  • Most well-known animals belong to five main groups of vertebrates.

The Five Main Groups of Animals

  • Mammals – Animals that have hair or fur, give birth to live babies, and feed them milk.
  • Birds – Animals that have feathers, wings, a beak, and lay hard-shelled eggs.
  • Fish – Animals that live in water, have scales, and use gills to breathe.
  • Reptiles – Animals that have dry, scaly skin and usually lay eggs on land.
  • Amphibians – Animals that live both on land and in water and have smooth, wet skin.

Insects and Other Minibeasts

  • Insects – Small animals that have six legs and three body parts.
  • Invertebrates – This group also includes animals like spiders, worms, and snails that do not have a backbone.
  • Many invertebrates have a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton to protect their bodies.

Animal Group Examples

  • A lion, cat, and human are examples of mammals.
  • A parrot, eagle, and penguin are examples of birds.
  • A shark, goldfish, and salmon are examples of fish.
  • A snake, turtle, and crocodile are examples of reptiles.
  • A frog, toad, and salamander are examples of amphibians.
  • A butterfly, ant, and bee are examples of insects.

Lesson Summary

  • Animals are grouped into different types to make them easier to study.
  • The main groups are mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
  • Each group of animals has special characteristics that help them survive in their environment.

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