Basic Animal Groups

InvertebratesInvertebrates were the first animals on the Earth to evolve. They came to be around 600 million years ago and they are thought to have evolved from microorganisms 97% of all animal species alive are invertebratesMain Menu

Basic Animal GroupsGrade Level: 4th GradeContent Area: BiologyAcademic content standards: students will interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media. They will also locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media Students can get involved by getting into groups and each group will research a basic animal group and find information which the teacher will then assist them into putting into a presentation.

FishesFish were one of the first VERTABRATES to evolve. The first fishes appeared around 510 million years ago.The first fishes were jawless, it wasnt until later on that they evolved to have jaws making them the first animals to have jaws.Main Menu

Basic Animal Groups: Main MenuInvertebratesFishesAmphibiansReptilesMammalsBirds

Characteristics of InvertebratesThey have NO backbone.They are ectothermic, which means that their body temperature varies depending on their environment.

Main MenuExamples of Some Invertebrates WormsSpongesMollusksInsects

Main MenuCharacteristics of FishesThey are vertebrates meaning they have a backbone.They breathe using gills.They have no limbs.They are ectothermic meaning their body temperature varies depending on their environment.

Main MenuExamples of types of FishTuna Salmon Beta Fish

Main MenuCharacteristics of Amphibians

They are vertebrates.They are tetrapod's meaning they have four feet.They are ectothermic.

Main MenuExamples of Amphibians

FrogsToadsNewts Salamanders

Amphibian Song!!

Characteristics of ReptilesThey are vertebrates.They are tetrapods (they have four feet).They are ectothermic.They have scales.They have hard shelled eggs.

Examples of Reptiles

TurtlesCrocodilesLizardsSnakes

Characteristics of MammalsThey are vertebrates.They are tetrapods .They are endothermic.They have hair.They have three bones in their ears.Their jaws are made up of only one bone.

Examples of mammalsHUMANSMonkeysElephants SealsLions and TigersWhales

Click on the whale to learn more about whales which are my favorite animal!

Characteristics of BirdsThey are vertebratesThey are endothermicThey have feathersThey have bills.They have lightweight bones.They dont have teeth.They produce eggs.

Examples of BirdsHumming birdsPenguinsChickens and ducksOstrich