Have you ever wondered about all the different animals on Earth? They live in many places and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. To make it easier to learn about them, scientists put animals into groups based on how they are alike.
One big way to group animals is by looking at their backbones. A backbone is a line of bones that runs down the middle of an animal’s back. Animals that have a backbone are called vertebrates. You probably know a lot of these animals! They include mammals like dogs and cats, birds like parrots, reptiles like snakes, and fish like goldfish.
Some animals don’t have a backbone. These animals are called invertebrates. Because they don’t have bones to hold them up, they are usually smaller than vertebrates. Some invertebrates, like jellyfish and worms, have soft bodies. Others, like crabs, spiders, and insects, have a tough outer shell called an exoskeleton that helps protect them.
Did you know that most of the animals on Earth are invertebrates? There are so many different kinds, from tiny ants to big squids!
Now you know how scientists classify animals into groups. Next time you see an animal, you can think about whether it has a backbone or not!
Backbone Hunt: Go on a nature walk with a family member or friend and try to find different animals. Look closely and think about whether each animal has a backbone or not. Make a list of the animals you see and write down if they are vertebrates or invertebrates. You can also draw pictures of them in your notebook!
Create Your Own Animal: Use clay or playdough to create your own animal. Decide if your animal is a vertebrate or an invertebrate. If it’s a vertebrate, make sure to include a backbone in your model. If it’s an invertebrate, think about whether it has a soft body or an exoskeleton. Share your creation with your class and explain your choices.
Animal Sorting Game: Gather pictures of different animals from magazines or print them from the internet. Mix them up and then sort them into two groups: vertebrates and invertebrates. You can do this activity with a friend or family member and see who can sort them the fastest. Discuss why each animal belongs in its group.
[Music] There is a great diversity of animals on Earth. They live in a range of different habitats and come in many different shapes and sizes. To organize and study animals, scientists classify them into groups based on their similarities.
All animals are classified into two main groups depending on whether or not they have a backbone. A backbone is a series of connected bones that run down the center of an animal’s back. Animals with a backbone are called vertebrates. They include many familiar animals such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish.
Animals without a backbone are called invertebrates. They do not have bones to support their bodies, and as such, they are often smaller in size than vertebrates. Some invertebrates have soft bodies, such as jellyfish and worms, while others, like crabs, spiders, and insects, have a harder outer covering called an exoskeleton. [Music]
