Classify The Animals

Most of the animals at the Little Rock Zoo fall into four classes: Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves (birds) and Mammalia. Each class has some unique characteristics, while some different classes share the same characteristics. Let’s take a look at each class.

Mammalia- Mammals have live young, with the exception of the echidna from Australia. All mammals feed their young milk, and they are warm blooded. This means their body temperature stays certain temperature (example humans have a body temperature of 98.6). This class of animals has or will have hair at some point in their life.

Aves- All birds have feathers and beaks. They are warm-blooded and have light and hollow bones. Most of them use their wings to fly, but some birds cannot fly.

Reptilia: Reptiles have dry scales (they are not slimy). They are cold-blooded. This means their body temperature is influenced by their surroundings. Usually, reptiles lay eggs. Some species of reptiles are born without an egg because they hatched from it inside their mother.

Amphibia: All amphibians need water to lay eggs. They are cold-blooded. Their young have gills (like fish) and the adults have lungs.

Now let’s classify some animals!

What class is an anteater in? Why?

What class is a gecko in? Why?

What class is a salamander in? Why?

What class is an emu in? Why?

Here are some other questions to think about.

Why do birds have hollow bones?

What class is a dolphin in? Why?

Why do amphibians need water to lay their eggs?

Name some of the reptiles that lay eggs. Name some of the reptiles that do not lay eggs.

Do some research to find the answers to these questions or find out on your visit to the Little Rock Zoo.