Animals with backbones

Similar animals can be grouped together.

The five main groups of animals are.

1. Birds
2. Fishes
3. Amphibians
4. Reptiles
5. Mammals

Birds

• All birds have feathers, a beak and two legs.
• Birds are warm-blooded.
• Some birds cannot fly.
• Most birds also have streamlined bodies and hollow bones to help them fly.

Fishes

• Most fishes have gills, fins and scales.
• Fishes are cold-blooded.
• They breathe through gills.
• The scales protect the fish and enable it to swim smoothly through the water.
• The fins help the fish to swim and maintain balance in water.

Amphibians

• Amphibians can live both on land and in water.
• Amphibians are cold-bloded.
• The young breathe through gills and the adults breathe through lungs or skin.

Reptiles

• Reptiles, except snakes, have four legs and a tail.
• Reptiles are cold-blooded animals.
• All reptiles breathe through their lungs.
• They have dry and scaly skin.

Mammals

• Most mammals are covered with hair.
• Mammals are warm-blooded animals.
• Mammals breathe through their lungs.
• Most mammals give birth to live young.
• Female mammals produce milk to feed their young.

Can you now look for animals around your home or at the zoo that you can place in these groups?