Vertebrate

Animals

Characteristics of
Birds

Have feathers, and most birds

can fly.
Two front wings, and two
hind legs.
No teeth, but have a beak.
Build nests and lay a dozen or
so eggs (internal fertilization)
Care for their eggs and
young.

Characteristics of
Amphibians

Tadpoles live in water, adults

live
on land.
Tadpoles breathe with gills,
adults have lungs.
Slimy, damp skin also used
for breathing.
Tadpoles swim with their
tails, adults hop on legs.
Lay hundreds of eggs into the
water.
Do not care for their young.

Vertebrates are animals that

have a backbone.
Fish
Mammals
Amphibians
Reptiles

Prepared by:
Coreen Grant

Birds

Characteristics of Mammals

Live on land, water or in the

air.
Have hair and breathe using
lungs.
Four limbs (front pair as
wings in bats).
Dont lay eggs, but young
develop inside the female and
are fed on milk after birth.
Care for their young.

Characteristics of Reptiles
Characteristics of Fish

Live in water all their lives.

Breathe using gills: take
oxygen from the water.
Slimy scales and fins to help
with swimming.
Streamlined body shape good
for swimming.
Do not care for their young.
Lay thousands of eggs into
the water

Live on land and breathe with

lungs.
Dry, leathery skin.
Have four walking legs (or
reduced in snakes).
Lay several hundred eggs
(internal fertilization).
Sometimes care for the eggs
before they hatch.