SESE Living Things Classifying animals

Different types of animal There are as many as 3 million different types of animals which live on earth and in its oceans! To help quickly work out what an animal is like, scientists put them in groups with other animals that are similar. Photo credit sergio venturi

Groups of animals Some of these groups are: Fish Birds Mammals Crustaceans Reptiles Insects

Fish Fish live in water. They use their tail and fins to swim around. They can be all sorts of amazing colours. Some fish are huge and some are tiny. The Whale Shark can be longer than a bus but some fish can be smaller than your fingernail! Do you know the names of any fish?

Birds Birds have feathers and wings. Nearly all birds can fly but some are also really good swimmers. Most birds live in nests where they lay their eggs. They eat all sorts of different foods; some eat insects, some eat fish and some eat big animals like deer! Do you know the names of any birds?

Mammals Mammals are an odd collection of animals. They have warm blood and hair. Humans are mammals and so are cats, monkeys, tigers and whales! Some can live in water but most live on dry land. Do you know the names of any mammals?

Crustaceans Crustaceans normally live in the water. They have a hard shell on the outside of their body for protection. They have five pairs of legs and some have claws which they use to catch their food. Do you know the names of any crustaceans?

Reptiles Reptiles are some of the oldest surviving animals on the planet. Some types of reptiles have been around since before the dinosaurs! Reptiles have scaly skin. Some have shells. They can live in water or on land. Can you name some reptiles?

Grouping animals These three animals are all part of the same family. That family is called reptiles. Can you see any similarities?

Grouping animals These three animals are all part of the same family. That family is called crustaceans. Can you see any similarities?

Grouping animals These three animals are all part of the same family. That family is called mammals. Can you see any similarities?

Grouping animals These four animals are all part of the same family. That family is called fish. Can you see any similarities?

Grouping animals This animal is the only one on the cards from its family. That family is called birds. How can you tell it is a bird?