Biology: Mammals and Birds Characteristics

Mammals

• Warm-blooded, meaning they regulate their own body temperature
• Hair or fur covers their bodies
• Produce milk to feed their young
• Most mammals give birth to live young, except for a few species of mammals that lay eggs (monotremes)
• Examples: humans, dogs, cats, bears, whales

Birds

• Warm-blooded, meaning they regulate their own body temperature
• Feathers cover their bodies
• Lay eggs
• Have light skeletons and hollow bones
• Most birds have wings and can fly
• Examples: robins, eagles, sparrows, parrots, ostriches

Reptiles

• Cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature is regulated by the environment
• Scaly skin covers their bodies
• Lay eggs
• Have a three-chambered heart
• Examples: snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, alligators

Amphibians

• Cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature is regulated by the environment
• Moist, smooth skin covers their bodies
• Lay eggs, but undergo metamorphosis from aquatic to terrestrial life
• Have a three-chambered heart
• Examples: frogs, toads, salamanders, newts

Invertebrates

• Do not have a backbone or spinal column
• Include a wide range of animals, such as insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and mollusks
• Examples: bees, butterflies, spiders, crabs, squids, octopuses

Fish

• Cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature is regulated by the environment
• Gills extract oxygen from water
• Scales cover their bodies
• Lay eggs
• Examples: salmon, goldfish, sharks, rays, tuna

Mammals

• Regulate their own body temperature, meaning they are warm-blooded
• Characterized by hair or fur covering their bodies
• Produce milk to feed their young, and give birth to live young, except for monotremes
• Examples include humans, dogs, cats, bears, and whales

Birds

• Warm-blooded, regulating their own body temperature
• Covered in feathers, with light skeletons and hollow bones
• Lay eggs, with most species having wings and being capable of flight
• Examples include robins, eagles, sparrows, parrots, and ostriches

Reptiles

• Cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature is regulated by the environment
• Characterized by scaly skin, laying eggs, and having a three-chambered heart
• Examples include snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, and alligators

Amphibians

• Cold-blooded, with their body temperature regulated by the environment
• Characterized by moist, smooth skin, laying eggs, and undergoing metamorphosis
• Have a three-chambered heart, with examples including frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts

Invertebrates

• Lack a backbone or spinal column
• Encompass a wide range of animals, including insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and mollusks
• Examples include bees, butterflies, spiders, crabs, squids, and octopuses

Fish

• Cold-blooded, with their body temperature regulated by the environment
• Characterized by gills that extract oxygen from water, scales covering their bodies, and laying eggs
• Examples include salmon, goldfish, sharks, rays, and tuna