Vertebrate Trading Cards By Michelle Scott Carter Period 5

Hagfish Class: Agnatha Scientific Name: Myxine glutinosa Nickname: Hagfish or “slime eels,” though they are not eels at all Favorite Food: dead or dying animals that have sunk to the bottom of the ocean Special Characteristic: no true jaws or teeth Defensive technique: secrete a mucous-like slime that helps them escape an enemy that wraps itself around the fish Interesting Facts: Only existing jawless fish Digestive system has no stomach Body does not have scales

Smooth Hammerhead Shark Class: Chondricthyes Scientific Name: Sphyrna Zygaena Nickname: Smooth Hammerhead Shark Greatest Achievement: out-swimming a Great White in the Annual Shark-a-thon Biggest Fear: Any Great White or Whale shark; the hammerhead will do it’s best to avoid any animals bigger than it Defensive technique: mucous glands coating body make skin rough and hard to break through, making it easy to escape predators Interesting Facts: Can grow to be up to 12 to 13 feet long Skeleton is cartilaginous Teeth are triangular shaped and serrated

Flathead Catfish Class: Osteichthyes Scientific Name: Pylodictis Olivaris Nickname: Flathead Catfish Popularity: 95% of all fish; 50% of all vertebrates - There are over 20,000 different species of Osteichthyes Special Characteristic: has a long, thin body and thick scales to allow quick body movement and ability to swim faster than most fish Preferred Living Conditions: large streams/rivers, lakes, back waters; near vegetation Interesting facts: Mucous glands coat body to make skin slick and slippery; causes for an easy escape from enemies Can see in color Paired fins all over body

Blue Poison Dart Frog Interesting Facts: Amphibians lay eggs in water Can breathe both in water and on land Have both lungs and gills Class: Amphibia Scientific Name: Dendrobates azureus Nickname: Blue Poison Dart Frog Special Characteristic: some amphibians are metamorphose, meaning that they can change their outward appearance or nature Ideal Date: includes a trip to a pond (preferably fresh water) and a night away from the heat and dryness of their surroundings Defensive Technique: poison dart frogs are able to release poison from their skin that is distasteful and potentially lethal to would-be predators and attackers

Striped Mud Turtle Class: Reptilia Scientific Name: Kinosternon subroubrum Nickname: Striped Mud Turtle Helpful Body Feature: has watertight skin to exchange gasses through skin, while still being flexible enough to move easily through water Special Characteristic: amphibians inhabit every continent Evolutionary Advantage: turtles have been on the earth for more than 200 million years, and have evolved faster than mammals, birds, crocodiles, snakes, and even lizards Interesting Facts: The body of every amphibian is coated in either scales or hard shells The striped mud turtle is able to survive in very diverse habitats (desert, rainforest, etc.

Blue-Naped Parrot Class: Aves Scientific Name: Interesting Facts: Tanygnthus lucionensis Nickname: Blue-naped Parrot Unique Characteristics: Ablity to fly Wings Light-weight skeleton Body coated in feathers Help regulate body temp. Provide camouflage Play crucial role in flight Have a beak, but no teeth Special Characteristic: Birds that are in good health are able to produce brighter colored and sturdier feathers all over their bodies Interesting Facts: Communicate through songs/calls Can live in a wide range of environments including tall trees, cliff tops; dry to wet climates

African Elephant Class: Mamalia Scientific Name: Loxodonta Africana Nickname: African Elephant Distinguishing Fact: African elephant ears average over three times the size of Asian elephant ears Ears help regulate body temperature When a threat is introduced, ears expand to intimidate attacker Special Characteristic: Mammals have hair all over their bodies to help regulate body temperature Interesting Facts: Specialized teeth to help eat different types of food Mammals are only animals to produce milk