Animal Vertebrates- Grade 5

Animals are divided into two groups, vertebrates and invertebrates 

Vertebrates have vertebral column also called backbone.

The backbone runs from the skull, joining the upper limbs and the ribcage to the lower limbs

There are 5 classes of animals in the vertebrates groups

1. Mammals 

2. Birds 

3. Fish

4. Reptiles

5. Amphibians

Mammals and birds are warm blooded, meaning their body temperatures are constant.

Fish and reptiles and amphibians are cold blooded meaning their body temperature changes according to the surrounding

Characteristics of mammals

1. They have memory glands

2. They range in different sizes

3. They have backbones

4. They give birth to young on while other lay eggs e. the duck bill platypus and spiny ant eater.

5. They live in land

6. Body covered with far or hairs

7. They are warm blooded

Characteristics of birds 

These are animals with have feathers and can fly, however some do not fly e.g ostrich which can just run fast.

They have the following characteristics 

1. They are warm blooded

2. They have backbone

3. Body covered with feathers

4. Birds lay eggs

5. They have wings

Characteristics of fish

1. These are animals which live in water

2. They have backbones

3. They live in water

4. They are cold blooded

5. They breathe through gills

6. Move by swimming

7. Their bodies are covered with scales

Characteristics of reptiles

1. They have backbones

2. They are cold blooded

3. Their bodies are covered with scales

4. They breathe through lungs

5. Most reptiles lay eggs

Characteristics of reptiles

1. These are animals that spend their lives in water and on land

2. They have the following characteristics.

3. They have backbones

4.  They have moist skins

5. Live partly in water and partly on land

6. They breathe through gills when young and through lungs when mature

7. They are cold blooded

8. Most amphibians lay eggs