Rawhiya

Classifying Vertebrates

Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone. They are divided into five main groups:

1. Fish

Live in water

Breathe through gills

Have fins and scales

Lay eggs

Examples: Fish, Shark

2. Amphibians

Live on land and in water

Have moist skin

Young ones use gills, adults use lungs

Lay eggs in water

Examples: Frog, Toad

3. Reptiles

Live mostly on land

Have dry, scaly skin

Breathe with lungs

Lay eggs on land

Examples: Snake, Lizard, Crocodile, Alligator

4. Birds

Body covered with feathers

Have wings

Lay hard-shelled eggs

Warm-blooded

Examples: Sparrow, Parrot

5. Mammals

Body covered with hair or fur

Give birth to live young ones

Mother feeds babies with milk

Warm-blooded

Examples: Human, Cow, Elephant, Dolphin

Fun fact:

Some mammals like dolphins and whales live in water, but they are not fish—they breathe air and feed their babies with milk!