animal classification (slideshare version - no hyperlinks)
TRANSCRIPT
Animal Classification
What makes a fish a fish? Do all birds fly? How do we organize animals into
different groups?
What is animal classification?
• Animal classification is how animals are sorted into groups based on common characteristics.
• The groups are arranged from general characteristics (for example, whether an organism is single-celled or multiple-celled) to specific (for example, whether a duck can dive or not).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Biological_classification_L_Pengo_vflip.svg
Kingdom Animalia
• The animal kingdom is the kingdom that we belong to.
• Each member of the animal kingdom:– Is made up of many cells– Eats other organisms to get energy– Can move its body– Reacts to stimuli
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/biology/animal.html
Phylum
• The next level of organization after kingdom.• Organized by body structure (symmetry,
segmentation).• There are 35 phyla within the animal kingdom.• Includes vertebrates, or animals with
backbones, and invertebrates, which do not have backbones.
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/trnov01.htm
Classes
• There are five main classes of vertebrates in the animal kingdom:– Mammals– Birds– Reptiles– Amphibians– Fish
Mammals
• Best-developed brain• Warm-blooded• Live birth• Has fur or hair• Drinks milk• Maternal care
Photo courtesy of Clip Art
Which of these would be classified as a mammal?
• Red-winged blackbird• Bobcat• House fly• Goldfish
If you said a bobcat, you are
correct!
Mammals you might find in Michigan:
• Little Brown Bat• Whitetail deer• Beaver
Other interesting mammals:• The duck-billed platypus and the echidna are
the only mammals that lay eggs.• Bats are the only mammals that can fly!
Birds
• Warm-blooded• Feathers• Beaks• Lays eggs• Flight (usually!)• Hollow bones
Photo courtesy of Clip Art
True or False?
A bird’s active part in breathing is the exhale (breathing out).
True!Unlike humans, birds must consciously
breathe in, while their exhale occurs without effort.
Michigan birds:
• Pileated woodpecker• Mallard duck• Common loon• Eastern bluebird
Other interesting birds:• Emus, ostriches, and penguins cannot fly.• The northern shrike impales its larger prey upon thorns for
ease of eating.• An owl compensates for its immovable eyes by rotating its
head almost completely around.
Reptiles
• Cold-blooded• Scales as skin covering• Claws• Lay eggs (although some snakes do give live
birth!)
Photo courtesy of Clip Art
True or False?
Because reptiles are cold-blooded, they cannot survive the cold Michigan winters.
False!Many reptiles sleep through the winter in a state
called brumation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dormancy#Brumation
Michigan reptiles:
• Garter snake• Hognose snake• Five-lined skink (the only lizard in Michigan)
Other interesting reptiles:• The corn snake has a false rattle that it uses as
a defense mechanism.• The king cobra lays its eggs in a nest.
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/default.cfm
Amphibians
• Cold-blooded• Breathe through their slimy skin• Live in water or moist habitat
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10438912@N07/8084268885
An example of an amphibian is:
• A lizard• A vampire• A salamander• A rabbit
A salamander is correct.
Amphibians you might find in Michigan:
• Red-backed salamander• Green frog• Spring peeper• American toad
Other interesting amphibians:• The barking tree frog has a call that sounds like a bark.• The red-backed salamander has a home range of just 24
meters.
http://www.tnaqua.org/OurAnimals/Amphibians.aspx?gclid=CNL1qPSO_7ICFegWMgodWnEA6Ahttp://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Plethodon&where-species=cinereus
Fish
• Cold-blooded• Live in water• Have scales• Breathe using gills
Courtesy of Clip Art
True or False?
Fish cannot control how close they are to the surface of the water – they must depend on
the waves to bring them deeper or shallower.
False!Fish control their level of depth by inflating or
deflating their air bladder, which allows them to float (when inflated) or sink.
Michigan fish:
• Rainbow trout• Bluegill• Large-mouth bass• Northern pike
Other interesting fish:• The Sharpnose Puffer inflates itself to appear larger and
more formidable.• The Mushroom Scorpionfish is covered in venomous
spines.http://www.seasky.org/reeflife/sea2h.html