Animal Groups — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word on the line.
1. A dolphin lives in the ocean but it is a mammal, not a fish.
A dolphin lives in the ocean but it is a mammal, not a fish. Dolphins breathe air with lungs and feed their babies milk.
2. Amphibians have smooth, wet skin that must stay moist.
Amphibians have smooth, wet skin that must stay moist. Unlike reptiles, amphibians do not have scales to protect them from drying out.
3. A grasshopper is an insect with six legs.
A grasshopper is an insect with six legs and three body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen.
4. Birds have beaks instead of teeth to eat their food.
Birds have beaks instead of teeth to eat their food. Different beak shapes help birds eat different types of food.
5. A snake moves without legs because it has no legs.
A snake moves without legs because it has no legs. Snakes use their muscles and belly scales to slither across surfaces.
6. Fish are covered in slippery scales.
Fish are covered in slippery scales that protect their bodies. The scales also help fish move smoothly through water.
7. A dog has fur and gives birth to live puppies.
A dog has fur and gives birth to live puppies. Both of these traits — fur and live birth — are characteristics of mammals.
8. A toad can live on land and in water because it is an amphibian.
A toad can live on land and in water because it is an amphibian. Toads keep their skin moist and return to water to lay eggs.
9. An ant has three body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen.
An ant has three body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. Having three body parts is a key feature of all insects.
Part B: Match the Animal to Its Group
Draw a line from each animal to the correct animal group.
1.
ladybug
→ insect
amphibian
toad
→ amphibian
mammal
dolphin
→ mammal
insect
robin
→ bird
bird
Ladybug → insect because it has six legs and three body parts. Toad → amphibian because it can live on land and in water. Dolphin → mammal because it breathes air and feeds its babies milk. Robin → bird because it has feathers and lays eggs.