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

Learn the key characteristics of mammals and birds, including their body temperature regulation, body coverings, reproduction, and physical features. Examples of each group are provided.