Classification of Animals

Animals are unique in their looks and characteristics. Observe some animals in your locality. Do they have the same number of legs and a similar body structure? Compare your body parts with theirs. Each type is different from the other. A lion is very different from a cow and a dog does not have the same features as a cat. All living things have some common characteristics. How do we classify animals? They are classified on basis of the different types of characteristics they posses. 1. Invertebrates Animals which don't have a backbone or skeleton, are called Invertebrates. Microbes (small organisms, e.g. Amoeba) Insects Adult insects typically have three pairs of legs, one pair of antennae and in most instances, two pairs of wings.

2. Vertebrates Animals which have a backbone or a bony skeleton, are called vertebrates. Birds are members of a group of animals called vertebrates, which possess a spinal column or backbone; birds develop from embryos in eggs outside of the mother's body. Fishes and all diverse group of animals that live and breathe in water. All fishes are vertebrates (animals with backbones) with gills for breathing. Most fishes have fins for swimming, scales for protection and a streamlined body for moving easily through the water. Reptiles are vertebrates that have a backbone with tough, dry skin covered with horny scales. Some of the most widespread living reptiles are turtles, lizards, snakes, crocodiles and alligators. Amphibians are animal with moist, hairless skin through which water can pass in and out, e.g. frog. They can live on land and in water. Mammals have entirely different habits and behaviours. Humans are mammals. They give birth to their young directly, and don't lay eggs. According to the suitability of their environment, they have different organs for movement, feeding and breathing.

Body Organs of Animals a. Organs of Movement Animals can move in different ways from one place to another in search of food and shelter and have different types of body organs. Land Animals Land animals have four limbs. Fore limbs--the two limbs in front are called fore limbs. Hind limbs--the two at the back are known as hind limbs. Some use all four limbs to walk, run or jump while some use only hind limbs, e.g. kangaroo.

Snakes, lizards, crocodile move by crawling, but they do have limbs. Snakes do not have legs.

Water Animals They have fins, webbed feet and paddle-like limbs. Fins--fishes swim with the help of fins. Webbed toes-- frogs swim with webbed toes, when on land they use hind legs to jump. Paddle-like limbs--tortoise use four paddle-like limbs to push water. Flippers--penguins use two fore limbs as flippers to push water forwards.