Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians

Mammals There are about 4,000 kinds of mammals. They are warm-blooded animals. That mean the weather can be very cold or very hot, but their bodies can maintain just about the same temperature all the time. They are very active and can live in a wide variety of places. Mammals are everywhere. Polar bears live in very cold areas, camels live in hot areas, moles live under the ground, bats live in caves and fly in the air, and dolphins live in oceans and rivers.

Reptiles They are cold-blooded and covered in scales. Being cold-blooded means that their bodies react to the temperature of their surroundings. When they get too hot, they can go into the water or the shade to cool down. When they get too cold, they can hang out in the sun to warm themselves up. Some members of the reptile family are snakes, alligators, crocodiles, tortoises and lizards.

Amphibians The word ‘amphibian’ means ‘having two lives’. Amphibians spend their lives in water and on land. All amphibians begin their life in the water with gills and tails. As they grow, they develop lungs and legs for their life on land. Members of this animal class are frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians.