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.