1. Classifying the Backboned Animals
Vertebrates
Classifying the Backboned Animals

2. Classifying Vertebrates
Vertebrates can be classified into two groups using this characteristic:
Cold-blooded
Warm-blooded
These animals get heat from outside their bodies. The body temperature changes with the temperature of its surroundings.
**If the outside temps change, so does its body temperature.
**Cold air temperature means cold body temperature.
The body temperature does not change much. They use energy from food to keep a constant temperature.
**If body temp changes much, this could mean sickness (like a fever for humans).

3. Reptiles cold-blooded vertebrate dry, scaly skin lays eggs
many have four
legs, but some
have none
strong,
waterproof
skin
breathes with lungs
can live in many environments, both dry and wet

4. Amphibians frog breathe through lungs, skin, and gills during
different parts of life
vertebrate
most have 4 legs
toad
life cycle includes larva stage (tadpoles)
salamander
cold-blooded
moist skin
All amphibians live near water
so their skin won’t dry out.
Frogs spend half their lives in
water and half on land.
lays eggs; usually in a jelly-like mass in water

5. Fish cold-blooded vertebrate covered by scales some species only live
in freshwater (rivers,
lakes) and some only
live in saltwater (ocean)
lays eggs in water
eyes usually on side
of head
life cycle includes larva stage
breathes through gills
have fins and streamlined bodies to help them
glide through water

6. Birds warm-blooded vertebrate have waterproof feathers
live on land; found in all
environments
lay hard-shelled eggs
hollow bones allow birds to fly
breathe
with lungs
and have
air sacs
not all birds
can fly
all birds have wings and beaks

7. Mammals warm-blooded vertebrate most have body hair or fur breathe
through
lungs
large,
well-developed
brains
most live on land
reproduce by live birth
nurse their young with milk
different kinds of teeth
for eating different foods