Date: Wednesday, August 6th Topic: Vertebrates Classification. Objective: To classify vertebrate animals.

Vertebrate’s Characteristics  Vertebrates are the group of animals which are characterized by presenting an internal skeleton, composed by the vertebral column and numerous bones which hold and shape the body.  The skeleton also protects the internal organs, such as the lungs, the heart and the brain.

CLASSIFICATION OF VERTEBRATES  Vertebrates have the following classification: VERTEBRATESMAMMALSBIRDSREPTILESAMPHIBIANSFISH

MAMMALS  Mammals are the most important group in the Vertebrates classification. They are characterized by having the body cover by hair or fur, except for marine mammals who have naked skin, like the whale. Its body is divided in head, trunk, limbs and tail.  According to the their type of alimentation, they can be carnivores, omnivores or herbivores. In each case their teeth are different. All of them breathe by lungs. They are viviparous, which means their babies grow inside the maternal uterus.

MAMMALS CLASIFICATION  Mammals have the following classification: MAMMALSPRIMATESMARSUPIALSCHIROPTERARODENTSCETACEAN

REVIEW OF MAMMALS

BIRDS  They have an adapted body to flight, since their skeleton is light, resistant and it is formed by bones with cavities, which contains air, and back limbs transformed into wings.  They also have an aerodynamic aspect which allows them to move easily in the air.  According to their type of alimentation, they can be carnivores, omnivores and herbivores. They reproduce by laying eggs, that means they are oviparous.

BIRDS CLASSIFICATION  They have the following classification: BIRDSFLYERSRUNNERSSWIMMERS

REVIEW OF BIRDS