Classifying Animals

Scientists group animals according to things they have that is the same.
This is called classification.

Extinct	It means there are no more animals of that species (kind). Example: Dodo, Passenger Pigeon, Tyrannosaurus Rex Presumed extinct : means the animal has not been seen for the past fifty years, and it has not been seen despite thorough searching for ten years. Example: Thylacine,or Tasmanian Tiger, has not been seen for more than fifty years, despite thorough searches. Extinct in the wild: means the animal is no longer found in the wild, and exists only in captivity. Example: Pedder galaxias, a kind of fish native to Tasmania; the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect
Critically endangered	There is an extremely high danger of an animal facing extinction very soon. Example: Sumatran Tiger. There are perhaps just 250 left in the wild.
Endangered	There is a high risk that the animal is facing extinction. Example: Asian Elephant, Southern Corroboree Frog, Mountain Pygmy-possum
Vulnerable	The species will soon be endangered if conditions continue unchanged. Example: Pacific Albatross, Kowari, Greater Bilby

Note: sometimes an animal (or plant) species can be endangered or even extinct,
but the status is unknown because there is simply not enough information available.

Carnivore	Eats meat, eggs, bones, hair, fish, insects Example: Lion, Tiger, Cheetah
Herbivore	Eats plants, fruit, seeds, leaves, roots Example: Giraffe, Rhinoceros
Omnivore	Eats both meat and plants Example: Emu, Brown Bear
Frugivore	Eats only fruit Example: Ring-tailed Lemur
Detrivore	Eats things that were once alive, e.g fallen leaves, dead skin, droppings Example: Vulture, dung beetle

COVERING	FEATURES	ADAPTATIONS
Fur	Mammals have fur or hair. Helps the animal keep body temperature steady. Can protect against injury (e.g lion's mane protects him from teeth and claws in a fight). Climate and habitat affect thickness and colouring. Animals with little fur develop ways to protect skin (e.g hippopotomus stays in water in day, gets out at night).	Some animals have modified hair for protection and defence (e.g rhinoceros horn, echidna spines). Some animals use modified hairs (whiskers) to help them find their way in the dark.
Feathers	Different feathers for different functions. Flight feathers-longest in wings, shaft in centre with barbs branching from it. Barbs joined with tiny hooks. Tail feathers control height and direction, for braking when landing. Other feathers give shape to the body, and warmth.	Some feathers used to form special features (e.g cockatoo's crest, peacock tail) to attract mates.
Skin	Skin of amphibians (frogs, newts, salamanders, toads) absorb water. Animal breathes through the skin (as well as with lungs) . They are therefore easily affected by polluted water and air.	Some (e.g poison arrow frog) have skin that oozes poisonous chemicals so predators avoid them.
Scales	Reptiles unable to warm body from the inside, scales help warm up body from sunshine. Scales protect reptile skin. Reptiles shed (called slough, say sluff) their skin , having grown new skin underneath. Snakes slough in one piece, lizards in several pieces.	Scales of crocodiles and some lizards are modified to be like armour. Shells of turtles/ tortoises are modified scales. Some lizards have modified scales to form frills or flaps for defence, attracting mate.

If you use any of this information in your own work, acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Sydenham, S. & Thomas, R. Classifying Animals [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2000)
updated September © kidcyber [2008]

Vertebrates-animals that have a backbone	For example: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians
Invertebrates-animals that do not have a backbone	For example: insects, shellfish, spiders, snails