Science Links 3

Revised Edition
Unit IV/Animals Around Us

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Learning Competencies
1. Describe animals in their immediate surroundings
2. Identify the parts and functions of animals
3. Classify animals according to body parts and use
4. State the importance of animals to humans
5. Describe ways in proper handling of animals
Key Questions
1. Why do animals have different body parts?
2. How do animals survive in their environment?
3. Why are animals important?
LESSON 1:
Body Parts of Animals and Their Functions
Focus Points:
1. Describe the animals in the surroundings
2. Identify the body parts of animals and their functions
3. Classify animals according to body parts and use

Body Parts of Animals

Body Parts of Animals
• The carabao has a head,
body, and limbs or legs.
• It has a pair of horns that it
uses to protect itself from
other animals.
• It has four strong legs to
support it when it carries a
heavy load or pulls a loaded
cart.
• The chicken has a comb.
• The chicken’s strong curved
beak is used for picking grains
for food.
• Its claws are used to scratch
the ground for food and grains.
• It has feathers covering its
body for protection from the
weather.
• Fish have fins and tail to be
able to swim.
• Some fish have scales,
while others have slimy skin
to protect them from
enemies.
• They have gills which they
use for breathing.
Body Parts of Animals for Movement
Animals That Walk, Run, Gallop, Jump, and Hop

• An ant walks using its six legs, while a spider walks

using its eight legs.
• A kangaroo leaps using its two long and strong hind
legs.
• A cat walks and jumps using its four legs.
• A horse can run fast because of its long and slender
legs.
• Animals with shorter legs usually move very slowly.
Examples of these animals are turtles and sloth.
Animals That Crawl

• A snake uses its abdominal scutes

for crawling. It usually slides on its
belly.

• A worm crawls by using its flexible

muscles that lengthen and shorten
so it can push and pull itself
through.
Animals That Fly
• Most insects have legs and two
pairs of wings. Muscles inside the
middle section of an insect’s body
enable the wings to move up and
down.
• A bat’s body is suited for flying.
Animals That Swim
• Fish use fins and tails for
swimming.

• Clams swim by clapping

their bivalves.

• Squids and octopuses use their

tentacles to swim. They squirt
water as they swim.
Body Parts That Enable Animals to Stay in Their Habitat
Most animals that have legs live on land.

• Deer, lion, boar, and many kinds of insects and birds

live in the forest.
• Some animals live in the desert. Examples are camels,
spiny lizards, poisonous spiders, and scorpions.
• Other animals like polar bears live on lands covered
with ice and snow.
Animals that have gills and fi ns live in water.

• Milkfish and freshwater clams are examples of

freshwater animals.

• Salmon and stingray are examples of marine or sea

animals.
Some animals can live both on land and in
water because of their special body parts.
• Frogs, toads, and salamanders can live both in water
and on land.

• Crocodiles, alligators, and hippopotamus can also live in

water and on land.
Body Parts for Protection Against Other Animals

• Some animals have the ability called camouflage. Their

colors and bodily characteristics make them look like a
part of their surroundings so they cannot be seen.
• Animals with long legs get away from their enemies by
running away as fast as they can.
• Carabaos and goats use their horns to fight off other
animals.
• Some snakes use their fangs to attack their enemies.
• Squids squirt black fluid to confuse and escape their
attackers.
• Skunks spray foul-smelling liquid at their enemies.
• Porcupines have spines to discourage their enemies to
attach them.
Body Parts of Animals Used for Getting Food

• Beaks of birds
• Flat teeth of horses, cows, and carabaos
• Strong jaws and pointed teeth of lions, tigers, and bears
• Long and big teeth of rats, rabbits, and squirrels
• Mouth parts of some insects
• Long tongue of frogs, giraffes, and some lizards
REMEMBER
Animals have different body parts. The body parts of
animals are used to protect themselves for survival.
All animals need food in order to live. They use their
mouth for eating. The kind of mouth differs among
animals. It depends on the kind of food they eat and
their method of getting food.
LESSON 2:
Classifying Groups of Animals
Focus Points:
1. Classify animals into two big groups
2. Differentiate vertebrates from invertebrates
3. Identify the five classes of vertebrates

Grouping Animals
What Are Vertebrates?

• Animals with backbones are called vertebrates.

• Their backbone is described as vertebral or spinal
column. This bone houses the spinal cord.
• Vertebrates can be found just about everywhere—in
oceans, rivers, forests, mountains, and the desert.
The Five Classes of Vertebrates

1. Fish
2. Amphibians
3. Reptiles
4. Birds or Fowls
5. Mammals
What Are Invertebrates?
• Invertebrates are animals without
backbones.
• Most of invertebrates can take care
of themselves as soon as they are
hatched from eggs.
• Invertebrates live and grow in
different ways.
• Insects are the largest group of
invertebrates.
REMEMBER
Scientists classify animals into two big groups:
invertebrates and vertebrates.
Animals without backbones are called invertebrates.
Animals with backbones are called vertebrates.
Vertebrates are classified into five classes: fish, birds,
amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.
LESSON 3:
Importance of Animals and the Proper Ways of
Handling Them
Focus Points:
1. State the importance of animals to humans
2. Identify harmful and dangerous animals and practice
safety measures against them
3. Describe proper ways of handling of animals

Importance of Animals
Benefits That Animals Give to Humans
• Animals are sources of food.
• Animals are sources of useful things.
• Some animals give us medicine.
• Animals help us in our work.
Caring for Animals
• Provide the needs of your pets.
• Protect the habitats of animals.
• Protect endangered animals.
What Are Dangerous and Harmful Animals?
Dangerous Animals
• Crocodiles, lions, bears, and tigers
• Sharks, stingrays, stonefish, and electric eels
• Snakes, scorpions, and some insects with venom and
sting
Harmful Animals
• Dogs and cats with rabies
• Rats and other pests
• Certain insects
REMEMBER
Animals are important to people. We need to provide them
their needs.
Some animals are helpful to people. Others are
dangerous, especially if threatened. Know the difference
between them. Do not let harmful insects harm you by
maintaining cleanliness in your homes.
To avoid injury, always observe and practice precautionary
measures in caring for your pets.
Animals are essential for man’s survival. We need to
protect them. Some animals have negative impacts on
humans and the environment, so we should learn how to
exercise precautionary measures in handling harmful
ones. How do you do this?
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Users are NOT ALLOWED to distribute the contents of this material nor use
them for other purposes without permission from Rex Book Store Inc. (RBSI)