1. Animal Classification and Life Cycles
By Sarah Low

2. Examples of Insects
Ladybug
Dragonfly
Insects

3. Life Cycle Feature Dragonfly Ladybug
This feature of the ladybug life cycle shows the ladybug in the pupa stage. When the ladybug is in the pupa stage, the pupae (the term used to call the ladybug in the pupa stage) is orange and black, as shown in the picture above (Meggitt, 2014).
This feature of the dragonfly life cycle shows the dragonfly in the larva stage, where the dragonfly is called a ‘nymph’. When the nymph is in the larva stage, it captures prey using its extendable labium (as shown in the front view picture above), which is located underneath the head (University of Sydney, 2004).

4. Examples of Amphibians
Frog
Newt
Amphibians

5. Life Cycle Feature Frog Newt
This feature of the frog life cycle shows the frog in the larva stage. When the frog is in the larva stage, the tadpole (the term used to call the frog in the larva stage) hatches in water with undeveloped gills, a mouth and a long tail, and looks unlike the adult version of itself (Klappenbach, 2014). This is shown in the picture above.
This feature of the newt life cycle shows the newt in the egg stage. When the newt is in the egg stage, its egg is usually white (sometimes varying in colour depending on the species of newt) and is surrounded by a clear layer of ‘jelly’, as shown above (Inns, 2009).

6. Examples of Mammals
Dolphin
Polar Bear
Mammals

7. Life Cycle Feature Dolphin Polar Bear
This feature of the dolphin life cycle shows the dolphin in the calf stage, where it looks very much alike the adult version of itself, only smaller. The picture shown above shows the calf with its mother. When dolphins are in the calf stage they rise to the surface every 3-30 seconds for air and are always with the mother, like above, and always stay behind her (Wordlesstech Team, 2013).
This feature of the polar bear life cycle shows the polar bear in the adult stage. During this stage the polar bear’s life is a cycle of “feasting and fasting”, and as shown in the picture above, the polar bear is hunting to feast (Cox, 2014). During the adult stage, the polar bear pounces into the water on its prey (generally seals) before the prey can escape back into the water (Cox, 2014).

8. Examples of Birds
Kookaburra
Emu
Birds

9. Life Cycle Feature Kookaburra Emu
This feature of the kookaburra life cycle shows the kookaburra in the chick stage, where it looks very similar to the adult version of itself, only smaller. The goal for adult kookaburras is to “produce big, fat, healthy chicks”, as that will allow them greater chance of survival (Sullivan, 2009). The chick shown above shows a kookaburra as a big, fat, healthy chick.
This feature of the emu life cycle shows the emu in the egg stage. During the egg stage, between 5-15 eggs are laid on a layer of grass to give the eggs soft ground to nest on (Parks Victoria, 2011). As seen in the picture above, emu eggs are usually a dark green shade on the outside shell (Emu Heaven, 2014).