Classification of Living Things / Animals. Classification of Living Things Scientists estimate that there are between 3 million and 100 million species

Classification of Living Things / Animals

Classification of Living ThingsClassification of Living Things

Scientists estimate that there are between 3 million and 100 million species of organisms on Earth.

TaxonomistsTaxonomists--biologists who specialize in identifying and classifying life on our planet--have named approximately 1.7 million species so far.

Each year, about 13,00013,000 new species are added to the list of known organisms.

So, how do scientists classify (organize) all these millions of species?

3 Domains and 6 Kingdoms

3 Domains and 6 Kingdoms

Classification of Animals

Scientists have divided the Animal Kingdom into two main groups:

vertebrates (animals with a

backbone)

invertebrates (animals without

a backbone)

and

VertebratesAnimals with backbones can be divided into

five more groups:

Mammals Birds Reptiles

Amphibians

Fish

Invertebrates

Animals without a backbone.

Vertebrates

Animals with a backbone.

Mammals and birds are warm-blooded, which means that they can make their own body heat even when it is cold outside. Whether it is sunny and hot outside or there is a snowstorm and it is very cold, warm-blooded animals have body temperatures that usually stay the same.

Cold-blooded animals, like reptiles, amphibians, and fish, become hotter and colder, depending on the temperature outside. For example, when the sun sets at night, their bodies are cooler because it is less warm outside. When the sun is out, however, their bodies soak up the heat and become warmer.

Mammals• Give birth to live

young.• Feed their babies with

their own milk.• Are more or less

covered with hair.• Are warm-blooded.

Birds• Have feathers.• Lay eggs.• Are warm-

blooded.

Reptiles• Are cold-blooded.• Lay eggs.• Have a dry skin

covered with scales.

Amphibians• Are cold-blooded.• Lay eggs.• Have a smooth,

moist skin.• Are able to live on

land as well as in the water.

Fish• Are cold-blooded.• Lay eggs (but

some do give birth to live young).

• Have a moist skin covered in scales.

• Breathe through gills.

What am I?Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian

or Reptile?

I am a mammal. My body is warm and furry. I feed my babies on milk. I give birth

to live young.

What am I?Mammal, Bird, Fish,

Amphibian or Reptile?

I am a mammal. My body is covered in hair, or fur. I feed my babies on milk. I

give birth to live young.


or Reptile?

I am an amphibian. My body is moist and smooth. I lay eggs. I like to live in or near

to water.


or Reptile?

I am a bird. My body is warm and covered with feathers. I lay eggs

which hatch out into chicks.

What am I?Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or

Reptile?

Although I have wings, I am in fact a mammal. My body is covered in hair, not feathers. I feed my babies on milk. I do

not lay eggs.

I am a mammal. If you stand very close to me, you will see I have hairs on my body. I feed my babies on milk. I do not lay eggs.


Reptile?


Reptile?

I am a reptile. My body is covered in dry scales. I lay eggs.


Reptile?

I am a bird. My body is warm and covered with feathers. I lay eggs

which hatch out into chicks.


Reptile?

I am a fish. My body is cold to touch and is covered in scales. I lay eggs. I use gills to

breathe with under water.


Reptile?


I am an amphibian. My body is moist and smooth. I lay eggs. I like to live in or near

to water.


Reptile?

I am a mammal. My body is warm and furry. I feed my babies on milk. I give birth

to live young.


or Reptile?


Reptile?



or Reptile?

I am a fish. My body is cold to touch and is covered in scales. I lay eggs. I use gills to

breathe with under water.

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Classification of Living Things / Animals. Classification of Living Things Scientists estimate that there are between 3 million and 100 million species