Animal Kingdom Vertebrates

Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish

C.B.T.

Birds Basic Facts

They have two wings (upper limbs) and two legs (lower limbs). Most birds can fly. Their body is covered with feathers. Feathers separate birds from all other animal species. They have a constant body temperature. They are warm-blooded animals. They have lungs to breathe with. They do not have teeth; they have a beak/bill adapted to type of food they eat. Birds are oviparous; they reproduce by laying eggs.

Birds glossary
feathers beak

wing

nest

Groups of Birds

Perching Birds (sparrows, crows, ...) Birds of Prey (owls, eagles, ...) Herons and relatives (storks, herons, ) Ostriches and relatives (ostriches, emus, ...)

Sparrows Ostriche

guila imperial Stork

Reptiles Basic Facts

Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates. Reptiles have a waterproof skin with small, hard scales. Some have a shell. Reptiles have four short legs on the sides of their bodies. Some reptiles do not have legs. They crawl or slither. They are oviparous animals, most lay terrestrial eggs. They respire using lungs.

Reptiles glossary
scales

shell

Groups of Reptiles

Lizards and Snakes Crocodiles and Alligators Alligators live in freshwater. Crocodiles live in fresh or saltwater. Turtles and Tortoises All are shelled. Turtles are aquatic; tortoises are terrestrial.

Coral Snake

Sea Turtle

Galapagos Tortoise

Nile Crocodile

Amphibians Basic Facts

Amphibian = double life. They live in both water and land. They have four legs, some have a tail. Their skin is moist (humid) and slimy. They lay eggs in the water. They grow through a metamorphosis. (egg tadpole young frog adult frog) Tadpoles are fishlike; adults are terrestrial carnivores. Tadpoles respire through gills; adults use skin/lungs.

Section 30-3

The Life Cycle of a Frog

Adult Frog
Adults are ready to reproduce in about one to two years.

Young Frog

Frog eggs are laid in water and undergo external fertilization.

Fertilized Eggs

The eggs hatch into tadpoles a few days to several weeks later.

Tadpoles
Tadpoles gradually grow limbs, lose their tails and gills, and become meat-eaters as they develop into terrestrial adults.

Spotted Salamander

Poison Dart Frog

Toad

Fish Basic Facts

Fish live in aquatic habitat. Their skin is slippery. Fish have fins, scales, and gills. They breath through gills. Fish lay eggs. They have a special sensory organ called lateral line.

Fish structure

Fish glossary
fins gills

scales

Groups of Fish

Jawless Fish Have no true teeth. Have no bones. Chondrichthyes Cartilaginous fish Skeleton of cartilage. (Sharks, sea rays) Osteichthyes Bony Fish. Majority of fish.

Lamprey Jawless Fish

White Shark - Chondrichthyes

Trout - Osteichthyes

Sea Ray - Chondrichthyes