The Animal Kingdom

There are many different types of animals in the world. Many animals are quite similar to each other. Others are quite different. Animals can be classified based on their similarities.

Animals are classified as:

• Invertebrates

• Animals without a Backboneor Spinal Column:

• Vertebrates

• Animals with a Backbone or Spinal Column:

Invertebrates:

• Protozoa

• Echinodermssuch as starfish

• Annelidssuch as earthworms

• Molluskssuch as octopus

Invertebrates:

ProtozoaEchinoderms

Annelids Mollusks

Invertebrates:

Arthropodssuch as crabs, spiders and insects

• Crustaceans (a very large group of Arthropods)such as crabs

• Arachnidssuch as spiders

• Insects

•

Invertebrates:

Arthropods Crustaceans

Arachnids Insects

Vertebrates:

• Fish

• Amphibianssuch as frogs

• Reptilessuch as crocodiles

• Birds

Vertebrates:

Fish Amphibians

Reptiles Birds

Vertebrates:

• Mammals

• Marsupialssuch as kangaroos

• Primatessuch as gorillas and chimpanzees

• Rodentssuch as mice

Vertebrates:

Mammals Marsupials

Primates Rodents

Vertebrates:

• Cetaceanssuch as whales and dolphins

• Carnivora

such as seals

Vertebrates:

Cetaceans Carnivora