Purpose: To identify each of the five major groups of vertebrates, as well as to identify similarities and differences among the groups.

Program length: 30-45 minutes

Background:
There are millions of species of animals on earth. Some of these species are very different from each other, while others share similar characteristics. Scientists use these shared characteristics to place living things into various categories. Classifying animals in this way makes it easier for zoologists to study earth's biodiversity. One of the main differences among animal species is that some have a backbone while others do not. Animals without backbones are called invertebrates, while animals with backbones are called vertebrates. Vertebrates are placed into five major categories: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. This program will focus on vertebrates by introducing the students to Linnaeus' system of Classification, which is a scientific sorting based on physical characteristics. Students will be introduced to some live examples of each of these five classes, reviewing the characteristics that the animals in each class have in common, and contrasting the differences. Students will be given a set of data to sort into the 5 classes in order to draw inferences, a key skill in critical thinking. Students will be able to analyze and describe why animals are classified as they are.

This program meets the following Sunshine State Standards:
SC.3.L.15.1, SC.5.L.17.1, SC.6.L.15.1   

1. Practice grouping items according to their similar characteristics (examples: texture, size, color).
2. Ask students to list animals that they see in their backyard or in their neighborhood. Ask them to classify these animals.
   
3. Download and ask the students to complete the Classification worksheet;

• Grades 1-3
• Grades 4-6

1. Ask students to take photos of the animals that they see on their visit to Lion Country Safari. Later, they can classify them into the 5 vertebrate groups.
   
2. On their visit, ask students to complete this chart. Discuss their results in your classroom.