This document summarizes how animals can be classified based on various characteristics. It describes the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates, how their bodies and appearances differ, whether they are wild or domesticated, where they live, how they move, what they eat as either herbivores, carnivores or omnivores, and whether they are viviparous or oviparous. Key animal groups like mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish are also outlined briefly based on their defining traits.

2. VERTEBRATES INVERTEBRATES
(have backbones) (don’t have backbones)

3. Animals look different
centipede
snake
0 legs 2 legs
4 legs many legs

4. The body can be…
scales
skin
a shell
feathers
hair
cat

5. Animals can be wild or domestic

6. Where do animals live?
bird

7. Animals can…
• Walk
• Fly
• Swim
• Jump

8. What do different animals eat?
Zebras are HERBIVORES because they
only eat PLANTS. Also cows, sheeps,
horses or elephants are hervibores.
Lions are CARNIVORES because they
only eat OTHER ANIMALS. Also dogs,
tigers, foxes or wolves are carnivores.
Chimpanzees are OMNIVORES because
they eat PLANTS AND OTHER ANIMALS.
Also pigs, bears or mice are omnivores.

9. How are different animals born?
VIVIPAROUS OVIPAROUS

10. Vertebrates
Animals with a backbone.

11. Mammals
• Give birth to live
young. They are
viviparous.
• Feed their babies with
their own milk.
• Are covered with hair.

12. Birds
• Have feathers.
• Lay eggs. They are
oviparous.

13. Reptiles
• Lay eggs. They are
oviparous.
• Have a skin
covered with
scales.

14. Amphibians
• Lay eggs. They are
oviparous.
• Have a smooth,
moist skin.
• Are able to live on
land as well as in
the water.

15. Fish
• Lay eggs (but some
do give birth to live
young). They are
oviparous.
• Have a skin
covered in scales.
• Breathe through
gills.

16. Summary: classification according to…
• Backbone: vertebrates or invertebrates.
• How they look: different legs and body (shell, hair, feathers, skin…)
• How they related to people: Wild or domestic.
• Where they live: land, air or water
• How they move: walk, fly, swim or jump.
• What they eat: herbivores, carnivores or omnivores.
• How they are born: viviparous or oviparous.