Animal Functions
When you have finished this section, take the Animals Functions Quiz.
The study of animals is called zoology.
Animals are different from plants in several important ways.
Animals move much more freely than plants and are not rooted in the soil.
Animals take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide.
Animals do not make their own food within themselves and therefore do not have chlorophyll.
Animal cells do not have a cell wall.
Animals eat plants, but plants do not eat animals generally..
Animals in general are more advanced in their structure than plants.
Because animals are more complex or advanced than plants, they have different systems in their bodies to take care of the different jobs that allow them to live and function. Below is a description of these systems and illustrations of organs of these systems in humans. These systems are:
Muscular/Skeletal - The muscular/skeletal system of an animal refers to the systems that give the animal its shape, protects its organs and allows it to move. Animals' bodies are protected in many ways. For some animals it is an outer skeleton or exoskeleton that protects their body. For others it is an inner or internal skeleton that protects the body. These skeletons give the animal bodies their shapes. An animal's form or body can be arranged to have
Asymmetry - No specific form
Radial Symmetry - There is a center to the animal's body from which limbs or arms come out from as if from a circle, much like the spokes on a bicycle wheel.
Bilateral Symmetry - This means that an animal has two sides that are almost exactly the same on each side. Thus if you drew a line down the middle of the animal's body, one side would be a mirror image of the other side. Reproduction - This is how an animal makes more of itself or has babies. Animals can reproduce several ways.
Fission - Splitting in half.
Budding - Growing buds that break off to form new animals
Sexually - This is where a male and female member of a species mates to reproduce a new animal baby. Excretion - This is how an animal gets rid of wastes after it uses energy to do its work. In humans kidneys and skin do this job. Digestion - This is how an animal breaks down the food it takes into its body. In humans the mouth, stomach and intestines are part of the digestive system. Respiration - This is how an animal takes in oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide as it uses energy. In humans the nose, throat and lungs would be part of the respiratory system Circulation - This allows food and energy to be distributed throughout the animal's body. In humans the heart, blood and blood vessels are part of the circulatory system. Nervous - This is how an animal takes in information from the world and uses that information to react to the world and to go about its life. This would include the animal's senses, its brain and nervous system.
All of these systems influence where an animal lives and how it survives. An animal that needs to live in water would not survive long on land and vice versa. Depending on how advanced these systems are in animals determines the group they belong in as well as how alike the systems are between and among the animals.
2) Animal Classification
When you are done take the Animal Classification Quiz
To try a crossword puzzle on the different animal phyla, click on this link APTE Center. Choose where it says Make Your Own Puzzles . Click on the area that says Play and then Just for You. Enter my email: calfieri@rochester.rr.com and pick Animal Phylum. You can then play the crossword puzzle online.
Animals are classified in a variety of ways. This helps scientists to study the relationships in animal groups and to see the whole animal family tree as it has developed through time. The study of animal classification is called taxonomy.
The basic unit of an animal is the cell. A cell is the smallest unit of any animal or plant. Some animals are one celled, some consist of millions of cells. Each cell is filled with a living matter called protoplasm. It also has a nucleus that is the center of the cell and directs its activities. The cytoplasm is the area outside of the nucleus. Each cell is held together by a cell membrane which is like a very thin skin for the cell. Many cells have different jobs to do in an animal, whether they be bone, blood, skin cells.
A group of the same kinds of cells are called tissues. A group of tissues that work together to do a job in the animal's body is an organ. The stomach, heart, kidneys, lungs are examples of organs. A group of organs that do a number of jobs of the same kind are systems.
Animals are grouped together or classified in a variety of ways. Some of them are:
Whether an animals in one celled or many celled.
How an animal's bodily systems differ.
Animal groupings are similar to plants. The groupings are:
Kingdom - There are two basic kingdoms, the plant and animal kingdoms. There is a third with animals that bridge the plant and animal kingdom.
Phylum - Within the plant and animal kingdoms are big groupings called phylum or phyla. Animals are grouped into phyla that have broad similar characteristics.
Classes - These are a finer division of a phyla.
Orders - These are divisions of classes.
Families - These are divisions of
Genera - These are the divisions of families.
Species - These are the divisions of genera
3)
When you have completed this page, go to the Protozoa Quiz.
The protozoa are one-celled animals and the smallest of all animals. Most of them can only be seen under a microscope. They do breathe, move, and reproduce like multicelled animals. They live in water or at least where it is damp. Animals in this group include the paramecium, the euglena and the ameba.
Some protozoans are harmful to man as they can cause serious diseases. Others are helpful because they eat harmful bacteria and are food for fish and other animals.
Below is a link to a description of three types of protozoa.
Ameba
Paramecium
Euglena
Protozoa Videos
System Type Protozoas System Muscular-Skeletal A protozoa has no inner or outer skeleton. They move a variety of ways. The ameba has a false foot that extends as it moves. The paramecium is covered with hairs and the euglena has a whip-like tail to move. Digestion A protozoa takes in food via the water and stores the food in sacs called vacuoles. They eat tiny algae and bacteria. Nervous A protozoa has a very low level reaction to the world around it and does not have a brain per se. They can react to light and temperature changes. Circulation A protozoa has water flow in through the pores. The water contains the food and oxygen the protozoa needs. Respiration A protozoa takes in oxygen through the cell membrane and gives off carbon dioxide through the cell membrane. Reproduction A protozoa reproduces by splitting in half. This is called fission. Excretion A protozoa has sacs called vacuoles that take in and get rid of water. Symmetry A protozoa is usually asymmetrical. Coloration A protozoa is very microscopic and is pale in color generally. 4)
A crinoid on an orange sponge from the Bioinfo Animal Pictures Archive A barrel sponge from the Bioinfo Animal Pictures Archive
When you are done with this page, go to the Sponges Quiz:
There are about 5,000 species of sponges found throughout the world. Most sponges are found in oceans, although some groups are found in fresh waters such as lakes. They were the first group of animals that has specialized cells to do special jobs. However, the cells are not so advanced as to form tissues. Sponges live singly or in colonies.
Many sponges give off a toxic or poisonous substance. This is used to fight off enemies and poison them. However, some of the substances given off are used by humans as medicines. The skeleton of the sponge is used by man for sponges as well.
Some sponges appear green because algae clings to them. The algae provide oxygen for the sponge and the sponge provides carbon dioxide for the algae. When two living things live off of one another, it is called symbiosis.
Here is how a sponge's systems are organized
System Type Sponges System Muscular-Skeletal A sponge is a hollow tube with many pores or openings. The skeleton is made of lime or silicon. Digestion A sponge takes in food via the water that flows through the pores. Nervous A sponge has a very low level reaction to the world around it and does not have a brain per se. Circulation A sponge has water flow in through the pores. The water contains the food and oxygen the sponge needs. Respiration A sponge takes in water through its pores and in more advanced forms, with canals that move the water to all throughout the sponge. Then the oxygen from the water is used. Reproduction A sponge reproduces by budding and also sexually. Excretion A sponge has carbon dioxide and other wastes removed as the water moves in and out through the pores. Symmetry A sponge has either radial symmetry or is asymmetrical. Coloration A sponge is white, red, orange, green, yellow, brown, purple, black
Sponges Videos
Coelenterates
When you have finished with this page, go to the Coelenterate Quiz
Corals belong to a group or phylum that includes hydras, jellyfish, and sea anemones called coelenerates. They are frequently symbiotic. This means that it and another living thing live off of each other without one harming the other. Coelenterates live in the sea. They give off poisonous toxins to protect themselves from predators.
Jellyfish and Corals Videos
System Type Coelenterate System Muscular-Skeletal A coelenterate has an outer skeleton, if it has one. It moves by waving its body and tentacles. The body basically consists of two layers with a jellylike middle. Digestion A coelenterate has a mouth opening surrounded by tentacles. It eats animals and plants. It leads to a stomach cavity or area where food is digested. Nervous A coelenterate has no brain but has a simple nervous system called a nerve net. Some have a very primitive sense of taste/smell. Circulation A coelenterate has a gastrovascular system. This means that the digestive and circulatory system are meshed in the coelenterates body. Respiration A coelenterate breathes through its body surface. Reproduction A coelenterate reproduces by budding or sexually. In budding, the coelenterate grows a tiny body part that sprouts and then breaks off. It can also be male or female or a hermaphrodite, meaning it has the sex organs of male and female. Excretion A coelenterate passes wastes out through its mouth. Symmetry A coelenterate has radial symmetry. Appearance A coelenterate can be reddish, white, green
Flatworms
Phylum Platyhelminth
When you have finished this page, take the Flatworms Quiz
Flatworms are the simplest of the worm groups. There are about 20,000 species in this group. They are found many places and can be free living or parasitic. A parasite lives off of another living thing called a host and can be harmful. One of the best known flatworms is the tapeworm. The tapeworm can get into a person's digestive tract and grow to enormous lengths. The tapeworm then eats off the host and is dangerous to the host as it grows and consumes more of the host and its food.
Flatworms are found in marine and fresh water.
Flatworms Videos
System Type Flatworms System Muscular-Skeletal A flatworm has no skeleton. It has tiny bristles called cilia that help it move as well as two layers of muscles under its skin. It has three cell layers called the endoderm, the mesoderm and the ectoderm. They also have the beginnings of a head region. Digestion A flatworm has a combination digestive/excretory system. It takes food in and gets rid of wastes through the same opening. Nervous A flatworm has a very simple nervous system with two nerve cords running down either side. It has two simple brains called ganglia, which are simple bundles of nerves. . It has two eyespots that help it sense light. Circulation A flatworm has a gastrovascular cavity with one opening. It eats small worms, insects and microscopic matter. Respiration A flatworm takes in oxygen, but has no formal respiratory system. Reproduction A flatworm reproduces by splitting in two. When a flatworm is split up it immediately forms a new flatworm. Excretion A flatworm gets rid of wastes through the same opening it takes in food. Symmetry A flatworm has bilateral symmetry. Appearance A flatworm can be microscopic or many feet long and is generally very thin.
Roundworms
Phylum Nematoda
When you are done reading this, take the Roundworms Quiz.
Roundworms are a member of the nemathelminths phylum or group of animals. The hookworm, pinworm and trichinella are part of this group. They are more advanced than flatworms but less advanced than earthworms. They have thin round bodies, with none of the pieces or segments that earthworms have in their bodies.
Roundworms live in salt water, fresh water and the soil. Many of them are harmful to man as they are parasites.
Roundworms Videos
System Type Roundworms System Muscular-Skeletal A roundworm has no skeleton. Digestion A roundworm has a definite digestive system that runs the length of their bodies. It has a mouth, pharynx, intestine and anus. Many are parasites and live off other animals and plants. Nervous A roundworm has two nerve cords that transmit impulses in the roundworm. Circulation A roundworm has no heart or formal blood vessels. Respiration A roundworm has no formal respiratory system. Reproduction A roundworm reproduces sexually. The female has an ovary, holds eggs in an oviduct and then passes them to the uterus, where they are fertilized. The male has sperm cells are made in the testis and stored in the vas deferens. When it is time to reproduce, the sperm cells pass through the spicule. Over 200,000 eggs can be deposited at once in the soil once they are fertilized. Excretion A roundworm has an anus at its rear end and a series of excretory tubes that end in an excretory pore. Symmetry A roundworm has bilateral symmetry. Appearance A roundworm is thin, round, smooth and can be up to four feet in length
Earthworms
Phylum Annelida
When you have finished this page, go to the Earthworms Quiz.
Earthworms are the most highly developed worms. They are divided into segments or parts. They are found in salt and fresh water as well as in the soil. Earthworms are helpful to man as bait for fishing and more importantly, because they loosen the soil for roots to grow.
There are 2700 species of earthworms. Earthworms have many enemies including animals that eat them and man who uses them.
Earthworms Videos
System Type Earthworms System Muscular-Skeletal A earthworm does not have a skeleton. It has bristles on each segment called setae that help the earthworm move. Earthworms have no limbs. The earthworm has two sets of muscles; one that makes it long and thin and one that makes it fat. Digestion A earthworm has a digestive system. It eats dirt, digesting the plant and animal matter in the dirt and then eliminates the rest. It has an esophagus for the food to go down, a crop to store the food in, a gizzard that grinds the food down, intestines for the food to pass through and take out nutrients and an anus for the food to come out. Nervous A earthworm has a nervous system with a simple brain and nerve cord. Circulation A earthworm has blood and blood vessels with multiple (5) hearts. Click here for earthworm heartbeat movie: Earthworm heartbeat movie Respiration A earthworm has no respiratory organ. It takes in oxygen directly through its skin and gives off carbon dioxide. Its skin is always moist. Reproduction A earthworm has both sperm and eggs within its body and reproduces sexually. However, the eggs must be fertilized by the sperm of another worm. An earthworm lays a batch of eggs at one time. They do not spend time raising their young once they are hatched. Click here to see a movie of an earthworm giving birth. Earthworm Birth Excretion A earthworm's wastes help to fertilize the soil. It gets rid of its wastes through tubes called nephridin that lead to pores that allow the wastes out. Symmetry A earthworm has bilateral symmetry. Coloration A earthworm is generally earthtones such as brown, tan, etc.. It can be up to eight feet in length!
When you have finished this page, try the Insects Quiz:
Insects are part of a bigger animal group called arthropods. The word Arthropod literally means jointed limbs. The arthropods are the first animal group to have jointed legs.
Insects have certain characteristics. They have six legs. They have three body parts, a head, a thorax and an abdomen. They have wings. They are by far the largest animal group. They also have an outer or exoskeleton made of a substance called chitin..
There are over 700, 000 species of insects. While they are relatively small in size compared to many animal groups, they are well adapted to their environments. Most insects live on land.
All insects grow from eggs. They go through various stages until they reach adulthood. This transformation through these stages is called metamorphosis. Insects undergo either complete or incomplete metamorphosis.
The dragonfly, termite, grasshopper and true bug undergo incomplete metamorphosis. In this process there are three stages called egg, nymph and adult. When the nymph hatches from the egg, it looks like the adult insect except it is smaller, has no wings and cannot reproduce yet. As the nymph grows it outgrows its outside skeleton and it is shed. It then regrows a new one. This happens several times before it finally becomes an adult.
Insects like the butterfly, bee, ant, beetle and fly undergo complete metamorphosis. This involves four stages: egg, larvae, pupae and adult. The larvae looks like a worm and hatches from the egg. As it grows, it also sheds it skin. It then grows into a pupa. While the pupa doesn't move around like the larva, it does eventually at this stage change from an immature form to adult form.
There is another group within the arthropods called the arachnids. The arachnids are spiders, scorpions, etc. The annelids are similar to insects. However, they have eight legs. Their wings are quite different from those of the insects.
Since this group is so very big, there are links below to pages on some of the biggest groups within the arthropods:
Grasshoppers
Dragonflies
Beetles
Bugs
Aphids
Butterflies
Flies
Bees
Ants
Spiders
Crustaceans (Crayfish, lobsters, crabs and shrimp)
System Type Insect's System Muscular-Skeletal A insect has an outer skeleton. The skeleton has three layers: the outer It has three pairs of legs and one or two pairs of wings. The legs are segmented and depending on the insect, may have a clawlike structure on the last segment. Insect muscles are connected to their outside skeleton and are generally gray. Digestion A insect has different kinds of mouths depending on the species. Some can chew, some can suck objects. The digestive system is a tube that goes from the mouth to the anus. It is divided into several sections, the foregut, the midgut and the hindgut. Nervous A insect has antennae that can be used to detect odors or to touch objects. Insects have two sets of eyes: simple eyes and compound eyes. The simple eyes have cornea, retina, pigment cells, etc.. There is a brain and nerve cells. Circulation A insect has a circulatory system that carries food, but not oxygen throughout its body. Since it does not carry oxygen, insect blood is green, not red like mammal blood. The insect heart is a simple tube running along their backs. Respiration A insect breathes through thoracic and abdominal spiracles. Since the insect has no lungs, the spiracles go throughout the insect body to give gases. Thus the insect bodies are relatively small. Reproduction A insect generally reproduces sexually, although not always. The female genitals are external or outside the body. The eggs are held in an ovipositor. The females' internal sexual organs are ovaries and the males' are testes that produce sperm. Excretion A insect passes food through its digestive system and the insect feces pass out of its anus from the hindgut. Symmetry A insect has bilateral symmetry. Appearance The insect is generally relatively small. It can be many different colors depending on the species
Phylum Mollusca
When you are done, try the Mollusks Quiz:
A mollusk is another name for a shellfish. There are three groupings of shellfish. They include:
Hatchet-footed - These live inside of two shells that are connected by a muscular hinge which can open and close the shell. They are referred to as bivalves. Lines on the shell tell how old the mollusk is as the shell gets bigger, the older the shellfish gets. Clams, scallops, oysters and mussels are bivalves.
Belly-footed - These have just one spiral shell and carry their shells on their backs. They are called univalves. The snail, slug, periwinkle and conch belong to this group.
Head-footed - These have a definite head surrounded by tentacles. The squid and octopus are two in this group.
Shellfish are not all fish and many of them live on land. Not all of them have shells. They are not fish, although many of them live in the water.
Mollusk Videos
System Type Mollusks System Muscular-Skeletal A Mollusk has an outer shell. It has a soft body. It has a muscular foot that it uses for movement. Digestion A Mollusk has food brought in through a siphon system and then to its mouth. It then goes to a digestive gland and to its intestine. Wastes leave via the anus. Nervous A Mollusk has no formal nervous system, but has a series of ganglia that conduct impulses. Circulation A Mollusk has a heart, blood and blood vessels. Respiration A Mollusk has tubes called siphons that bring water in and out of their bodies so that they can get oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. They have gills that help with this. Reproduction A Mollusk is either male or female and reproduces sexually with a large organ called a gonad. Excretion A Mollusk has an excretory system with an anus. It has an organ called the nephridium that gets rid of wastes. Symmetry A Mollusk has bilateral symmetry. Appearance A Mollusk has a soft, thick, fleshy body. It can be very small or as big as six feet across
Phylum Echinoderm
When you have finished this page, take the Echinoderm Quiz:
Starfish belong to a group or phylum of animals called echinoderms. This means "spiny skinned" in Greek. Echinoderms live in salt water only. They generally have five arms and dwell at the bottom of oceans' levels. There are around 6000 species of echinoderms. The starfish, sea urchin, sea cucumber and sand dollar are some good examples.
Echinoderm Videos
System Type Echinoderm System Muscular-Skeletal A Echinoderm has an inner skeleton. It travels by means of many tube feet. Digestion A Echinoderm has a mouth and stomach area. Some have a mouth on the bottom and an anus on the top.Starfish can actually turn their stomachs outside of their body and insert it into its prey's such as a clam. Echinoderms have a relatively big gut area. Nervous A Echinoderm has eyespots which can detect light. Their eyespots are not as sharp as human eyes. It generally has a poorly developed nervous system. Circulation A Echinoderm has water pumped through its body as part of its very simple circulation system. Respiration A Echinoderm uses some of the bumps or spines on its surface to take in oxygen. It has a gill structure to take in the oxygen. It has a poorly developed respiratory system. Reproduction A Echinoderm is a male or female. The males and females discharge their eggs and sperm into the water where they are fertilized. A female can release one hundred million eggs at once. If a piece of certain echinoderms is chopped off, a new piece or even a new echinoderm can regrow. Excretion A Echinoderm has a simple excretory system. Symmetry A Echinoderm has radial symmetry. Appearance A Echinoderm has five arms and spines or bumps all over its body. The spines are protective and also help with respiration.
When you are done reading this, take the Chordates Quiz
Chordates are animals with backbones. Animal groups in the chordate phylum include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Animals with backbones are the most highly evolved groups of animals, the most complex and complicated. They have interior skeletons and have bilateral symmetry. They have more advanced brains.
System Type Chordate's System Muscular-Skeletal An chordate has an inner skeleton with a backbone. It generally has four appendages that are in the forms of legs, arms, wings or fins. Digestion An chordate takes in food through the mouth. The chordate has a mouth with a tongue. Some have teeth and some do not. It has a digestive system with stomach, intestines. Chordates eat plants and animals. Nervous An chordate has a brain and nervous system. Most chordates have two eyes and at least a minimal system of hearing as fish do underwater. Many have excellent hearing. Some chordates are literally blind as the bat, but most have good vision. The chordates have the most developed brains of all the phyla and complex nervous systems. Circulation A chordate is warm or cold blooded, depending on the class of chordate. Respiration A chordate takes in oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide through lungs or gills. Reproduction A chordate reproduces sexually. Excretion A chordate has complex skin that is many times covered with either feathers, scales or hair. They get rid of wastes through kidneys and intestines. Symmetry A chordate has bilateral symmetry. Coloration A chordate can be almost any color in nature.
The fish are the class of chordates that live completely in water. Their bodies have three main parts; the head, the trunk of the body and the tail. Their bodies are covered in scales and also a protective slime. They are important as a food source for animals.
System Type Fish System Digestion A fish eats algae and plants and/or animals. Those that eat animals have teeth. Muscular/Skeletal A fish has an inner skeleton. It has two sets of fins, the pectoral fins that are near the head and the pelvic fins that are further down the body. Along the top of the trunk are the dorsal fins and fins towards the back or rear of the fish called anal fins. The dorsal and anal fins are for balance and the others for movement. Nervous A fish has a brain and a nervous system. Its eyes are positioned on either side of its body and are quite large, with no eyelid. Their retinas have both rods and cones. They have large pupils that let in a great deal of light. They have an inner ear but no outer ear opening. Since their bodies are the same consistency as water. Sound in water travels four times as fast as in the air. The fish also has a lateral line system just under the skin of its head and the top of its body that helps it detect motion and therefore prey. Fish have a nasal sac that helps them smell. Some fish produce a low voltage electrical current that keeps prey away. Circulation A fish is cold blooded. It has a heart, blood and blood vessels. Respiration A fish breathes through gills located on either side of the head. The gills are made up of tiny threadlike filaments. When the fish opens its mouth, water rushes in and the oxygen is pulled out through the blood vessels in these filaments. They also have an air bladder that allows them to rise or sink as it inflates or deflates. Reproduction A fish reproduces sexually. The female lays eggs outside her body and then a male comes along and sprays a liquid called milt which has many sperm cells. The eggs are then fertilized. The eggs contain yolk that feeds the young fish in the egg and some stays on to feed the fish after it hatches. A few fish carry their eggs in their bodies until birth. Excretion A fish gets rid of wastes through its anus. Symmetry A fish has bilateral symmetry. Appearance A fish is usually darker colored on top and lighter on the bottom to protect it from enemies. It is streamlined so that it can move through water rapidly. Fish can change their color rapidly with color and reflective cells in their skin pigmentation.Fish can range in size from less than an inch to sixteen feet.
When you are done with this section, take the Amphibians Quiz.
Amphibians are one of the classes of chordates. The word amphibian means both sides of life. This is because the amphibian begins its life in the water and then finishes it mainly on land. The change of an animal in its appearance from baby to adult is called metamorphosis. An amphibian goes through metamorphosis as it grows from a baby to an adult.
The amphibian, because it must be moist, sometimes hides out in the summer as if hibernating. This is called estivation. It also buries itself in the mud during the winter and hibernates to prevent it from freezing as it is cold blooded.
Common amphibians include frogs, toads and salamanders. They are, on the whole, quite small vertebrates.
System Type Amphibians System Muscular-Skeletal An amphibian has an inner skeleton with a backbone. It has webbed feet, but no claws. They have attached limbs at the shoulders and hips. With the frog and toad, the front legs are shorter and weaker and the rear legs much stronger for leaping. Digestion An amphibian takes in food through the mouth. The frog has a long tongue that it whips out and grabs insects with. It has a digestive system with stomach, intestines. Nervous An amphibian has a brain and nervous system. It has two eyes, with a third extra protective eyelid for when it is on land. Circulation A amphibian is cold blooded so its body temperature is the same as its surrounding environment. Respiration A amphibian takes in oxygen through the skin. It then goes through the bloodstream directly. On land the amphibian uses lungs. Reproduction A amphibian reproduces sexually. The eggs are fertilized outside of the mother's body. The mother lays the eggs which are in a jellylike layer. The father immediately comes by and fertilizes them. The frog's eggs are black and white. The young frog is called a tadpole and it hangs on to plants. Excretion A amphibian has a thin skin that is moist. Symmetry A amphibian has bilateral symmetry. Coloration A amphibian is green, yellow, brown
When you have finished this page, take the Reptile Quiz:
Reptiles are a class of the chordate phylum. They have scaly skin and feet with claws on their toes. Both the babies and the adults breathe through lungs. They have a breastbone called a sternum to protect the heart and lungs. The female's eggs are fertilized in her body by the male. The eggs are laid in a shell that has a leathery covering to protect it in the wilds. The common reptiles are snakes, turtles, lizards alligators and crocodiles.
Click on the links below to get more information about specific reptiles:
Snakes
Lizards
Turtles
Alligators and Crocodiles
Click on the picture below to see the movie.
System Type Reptiles System Muscular-Skeletal A reptile has an inner skeleton. It has a breast bone to protect the lungs and heart. The reptiles have feet with claws. Digestion A reptile has a mouth, tongue, teeth, an esophagus, stomach and rectum. Nervous A reptile has a brain and nervous system. It has eyes, can sense sound. Circulation A reptile has a heart Respiration A reptile breathes through a trachea and lungs, including the baby reptiles. Reproduction A reptile reproduces sexually with the female's eggs being fertilized by the male internally. The eggs, which have a leathery surface, are then carefully deposited. Excretion A reptile is cold blooded. It is covered with scales. It has kidneys and ureters to get rid of liquid wastes. Snakes can molt or shed their skin. Symmetry A reptile has bilateral symmetry. Appearance A reptile varies in size from very small snakes, lizards and turtles up to huge alligators and crocodiles. Their coloration varies, but it frequently allows the reptile to blend in with its environment
When you have completed this page, go to the Birds Quiz.
Birds are a class of the chordates or vertebrate phylum. They are similar to other chordates in that they have a backbone. They are unique in the fact that they are covered with feathers and fly. There are four types of feathers for birds:
Down Feathers - These keep both young and old birds warm. They are soft.
Filoplumes - These are thin and hairlike with tufts on the end.
Contour Feathers - These cover and protect the body and give the bird its color. The color of these feathers can depend on whether the bird is the male or female of the species.
Quill Feathers - These large, strong feathers are in the wings and tail and help the bird with flying.
There are about 9000 species of birds, with 24 orders and 146 families. Scientists believe that birds evolved from reptiles and dinosaurs.
Birds are found throughout the world, from the tropics to polar regions. One unique characteristic of many birds is their tendency to migrate. This means that the birds move from colder to warmer areas as the winter approaches.
Birds can be both helpful and harmful to man. They are helpful as they frequently eat harmful insects. They provide food for man. They are pets and can be very decorative. They are harmful when they eat crops and kill animals.
The study of birds is ornithology.
Birds Videos
Click on the links below to go to pages with specific birds' pictures.
Passeriformes (Perching Birds- larks, swallows, shrikes, wrens, thrushes, warblers, blackbirds, tits, finches, weavers, sparrows, starlings, birds of paradise, crows)
Picaforms (Woodpeckers, toucans)
Anseriformes (Ducks, swans, geese, screamers)
Falconiformes (Eagles, falcons, buzzards, hawks, kites)
Strigiformes (Owls)
Columbiformes (Doves, pigeons)
Speniciformes (Penguins)
Psittaciformes (Parrots, parakeets, macaws)
Galliformes (Turkeys, grouse, pheasants)
System Type Birds System Muscular-Skeletal A bird has an internal skeleton with two pairs of limbs attached to the main body with two legs and two wings. Their bones are full of holes and are very light to allow them to fly. Their bodies are also streamlined for flight. They have a wide range of feet, depending on where they live and what they eat. Digestion A bird eats a great deal. They mainly eat insects and seeds, although some eat fruits and other animals. They take in water through their beaks and tip their heads back to swallow. Beaks are in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on the bird's diet. A bird has a mouth, esophagus, stomach, crop, gizzard,intestines, liver and pancreas. Nervous A bird has relatively large eyes that allow it to judge distance well and an excellent sense of hearing. Their tongues are used to feel things. They have beautiful voices. They have a brain and spinal cord. Circulation A bird is warm-blooded. The bird has an excellent heart that pumps vigorously to allow energy to get to all parts of the bird's body for flight. Respiration A bird has lungs to breathe with as well as a trachea and nostrils. Reproduction A bird reproduces sexually when a male bird places sperm in the female so that the female's eggs are fertilized in her body. The bird lays eggs that have a protective shell. Sometimes the male helps the female warm the eggs. Baby birds require care and therefore the birds build nests for them to live and hatch in. Excretion A bird has skin covered with feathers. They lose their feathers or molt once a year. New feathers grow back to replace the old ones. The bird has kidneys and a ureter to excrete liquid wastes and intestines and a rectum for solid wastes. Symmetry A bird has bilateral symmetry. Appearance A bird ranges in size from around two inches to seven feet. Birds can be many colors. Frequently the male is more colorful and the female is drab
Mammals are a class in the chordate phylum. Mammals are like other chordates in that they have backbones. Mammals have several distinct characteristics.
They have hair on their bodies.
They nurse their young.
They have live birth rather than laying eggs,
There are several major groups of mammals. Below is a list of these groups and their links on this site:
Egg Laying Mammals
Flying Mammals
Toothless Mammals
Pouched Mammals
Flesh-eating Mammals
Insect Eating Mammals
Gnawing Mammals (Rodents)
Hoofed Mammals (Ungulates)
Trunk Nosed Mammals
Marine Mammals
Flexibly Fingered Mammals (Primates)
System Type Mammals System Muscular-Skeletal A mammal has an inner skeleton. It has developed muscles and generally have four limbs attached. Digestion A mammal has a developed digestive tract with mouth, teeth, stomach, intestines. Herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat meat and omnivores eat both. Nervous A mammal has a highly developed brain, nerves and sensory organs such as eyes, nose, mouth, ears and touch. Circulation A mammal has a four chambered heart, blood vessels and blood within their system. Respiration A mammal has lungs and breathes in oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide. Reproduction A mammal reproduces sexually with the female being fertilized by the male internally. Mammals have live birth and care for their young for quite a time after birth. Excretion A mammal gas kidneys and is covered with skin. The skin has hair. Mammals are warm blooded. Symmetry A mammal has bilateral symmetry. Coloration A mammal can be various shades of brown, black, tan, white.