The Animal Kingdom Living on Planet Earth

Animal Kingdom All members of the kingdom of animals have one thing in common—they have a mouth or similar structure used to ingest food. If not, then they absorb their food and they belong to another kingdom of living creatures.

Animal Kingdom Think of a shirt soaking up water. If a life form absorbs nutrients through its cells it’s not an animal. It is from another kingdom of life forms.

Animal Kingdom The Animal Kingdom is divided into groups of animals that have the same body or genetic plan. Let’s learn about the different kinds of animals. Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Fish Invertebrates

Animal Kingdom We’ll explain what makes some animals the same, and point out some differences. Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Fish Invertebrates

Animal Kingdom Animals are sorted into classes that include: mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, reptiles and invertebrates. Today we’ll learn how to sort animals into each group. Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Fish Invertebrates

Animal Kingdom Some animals have bones or cartilage inside that give them shape and help them to move. If you remove all the fleshy parts of the animal you will have a skeleton.

Animal Kingdom Animals that have bones or cartilage are called vertebrates. These bones protect the spinal cord which carries the sensory information from all parts of the body to the brain. Your vertebrae allow you to bend and to turn.

Animal Kingdom Nod your head up and down meaning “YES”. That’s right! Nod your head up and down meaning “YES”. Yes, you are a vertebrate animal.

Animal Kingdom Five of the six animal classes are vertebrates. They are: mammals, birds, amphibians, fish and reptiles. Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Fish

Animal Kingdom Invertebrates do not have bones.

Animal Kingdom Many invertebrates have a hard outside called an exoskeleton.

Animal Kingdom It seems silly that mammals, birds, amphibians, fish and reptiles all have vertebrae inside them and the one animal group that has no bones inside is called an invertebrate! Well that’s because the very old Latin language used the prefix “in” meaning: not, without or opposite of; and the classes of the Animal Kingdom were named a long time ago.

Animal Kingdom Another major difference in animal classification is how the animals maintain their body temperature. Warm-blooded animals are mammals and birds. Cold-blooded animals are amphibians, fish, reptiles and invertebrates.

Animal Kingdom Mammals and birds regulate their temperature internally. They convert food to heat. They keep cool by drinking water and sweating it out of their bodies. Panting Dog Sound

Animal Kingdom What food and water isn’t used to keep their body temperature normal is used for growth and maintenance. This process is called warm-bloodedness. Mammals Birds

Animal Kingdom Cold-blooded animals include amphibians, fish, reptiles and invertebrates. These animals rely on the warmth of the sun and their surroundings to control their temperature. Amphibians Reptiles Fish Invertebrates

Animal Kingdom Cold-blooded animals don’t depend upon food to keep them warm just to help them grow and maintain life.

I’m just keeping my mouth open to stay cool. Animal Kingdom Water and air temperature play an important part in keeping cold-blooded animals comfortable. No sweat! I’m just keeping my mouth open to stay cool.

Animal Kingdom Let’s look at each class of animals more closely. Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Fish Invertebrates

Animal Kingdom Mammals Have mouths to ingest food Have vertebrae to support their bodies Are warm-blooded Breathe with lungs Nourish their young with milk Have skin with hair or hair follicles

Animal Kingdom Birds Have mouths to ingest food Have vertebrae to support their bodies Are warm-blooded Breathe with lungs Have a beak made of bone Have wings Have skin covered in feathers

Animal Kingdom Amphibians Have mouths to ingest food Have vertebrae to support their bodies Are cold-blooded The baby, or larvae forms, live in water and breathe with gills. Most will develop lungs as an adult and can live on land. Have permeable skin that water and oxygen move through

Animal Kingdom Fish Have mouths to ingest food Have vertebrae to support their bodies Are cold-blooded Breathe with gills Have skin with scales or plates

Animal Kingdom Reptiles Have mouths to ingest food Have vertebrae to support their bodies Are cold-blooded Breathe with lungs Have skin with scales or plates

Animal Kingdom Invertebrates Have mouths or other methods of ingesting food at some stage of their lives Have no backbone or spinal column to support their bodies Are cold-blooded Breathe with gills or pores

Animal Kingdom Invertebrates This group has the most numerous species and variations of life support. Invertebrates can be found almost anywhere on Earth.

Animal Kingdom Some animals are so small you need a microscope to see them. Each class has animals that lay eggs. Not all animals lay eggs. Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Fish Invertebrates

Animal Kingdom Look for animals on the land, in the water and in the air. You’ll be surprised to learn where the members of each class can be found. Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Fish Invertebrates