B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

HAVE BACKBONES AND SKULL BONES

Vertebrates

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals have backbones

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Scientist classify

vertebrates into several main

groups:

Jawless Fish

Cartilage FishBony Fish

Amphibians

Reptiles BirdsMammal

s

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Fish

Three groups: 1. jawless fish2. cartilage fish3. bony fish

A fish has:scaly skin, gills, heart with two chambers

Most fish have fins.All fish live in water and are cold-blooded animals.

cold-blooded: changes with the temperature of its environment

scales: thin, overlapping pieces of bonelike material that covers the bodies of most fish. Forms a protective covering.

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Amphibians

Cold-blooded vertebratesHave a heart with three chambersLive part of their lives in water and part on

landLay eggs in water or in moist places

Examples: Frogs, toads, newts and salamanders Young frogs are called tadpoles The change into adult frogs through different stages is

metamorphosis. They eat large quantities of flies, mosquitoes and other

insects

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Reptiles

Group of vertebrates that are more complex than amphibians

Cold-blooded vertebrateHas dry, scaly skinMost have two pairs of legs with five toes on

each legCan run, crawl, climb, or paddleBreath with well developed lungsMost reproduce by laying eggs on land

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Reptiles continued…

4 Main groups: Turtles

Special shell covering for protection and movement Live on land, fresh water, ocean

Lizards Live in many places cold regions, rainy regions, dry deserts The skin color of many lizards changes with surrounding

conditions – camouflage

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Reptiles continued…

Alligators and Crocodiles: largest kind of reptile Strong jaws and sharp teeth Live in warm, swampy areas along streams, rivers, or

lakes

Snakes Some live on land, some in water No legs Body covered with dry scales Move by catching their scales on the ground

and pushing forward with their muscles Do not tear or chew food, but swallow it whole

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Birds

Warm-blooded animalHave hearts with 4 chambersHave wings, which are used for flyingFeathers are an important body covering

Protects body of the bird Aids in balancing and flying Also helps to control a bird’s body temperature

Many birds build nests in which they lay their hard-shelled eggs After the eggs hatch, the adult birds feed and protect

the young

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Birds continued…

Birds live in different environments Penguins: cold, snowy areas Parrots: warm areas with much rain Ducks, geese, robins: change with season,

when the weather turns cold and snowy, many migrate to warmer areas.

Birds are an important food source for people

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Mammals

Most complex group of animalsExamples: bats, moles, bears,

horses, rats, cows, monkeys, kangaroos, rabbits, seals whales and humans

A mammal is a vertebrate with a body covering of fur or hair, and special female organs that produce milk to feed its young.

They care fore their young until they are able to care for themselves

Live in nearly all kinds of habitats

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Mammals continued…

Mammals have more complex brains than other animals

Humans are able to become skilled in the use of tools

Other mammals produce eggs that develop in different ways

A marsupial is a mammal that has a special pouch for carrying the undeveloped young

B. Cole EDUC 730: Lesson Plan

Mammals Fish

Constant warm body

temperature

Coverings of hair

Breath through

lungs

Carry their unborn

young in their

bodies

Cold body

temperatures

Coverings of

scales

Breath through

gillsLay eggs

Comparison Chart