Meaning and Characteristics of Animals – Basic 3 Basic Science Lesson Note (Third Term)

What are Animals?

Animals are living things that can move from place to place and eat other living things for food.

Animals in Their Habitats

Terrestrial Animals (Land):

• Lion – lives in grasslands and hunts other animals

• Elephant – lives in forests and eats plants

• Rabbit – lives in burrows underground

• Dog – lives with humans as pets

Aquatic Animals (Water):

• Fish – lives in rivers, lakes, and oceans

Frog – lives both in water and on land

• Crocodile – lives in rivers and swamps

• Duck – swims in ponds and lakes

Arboreal Animals (Trees):

• Monkey – swings from tree to tree

• Bird – builds nests on tree branches

• Squirrel – lives in tree holes

• Chameleon – changes color on tree branches

Classes of Animals

Mammals:

• Have fur or hair on their body
• Feed milk to their babies
• Give birth to live babies
• Examples: Cat, cow, human, whale

Birds:

• Have feathers and wings
• Lay eggs in nests
• Most can fly
• Examples: Eagle, chicken, parrot, owl

Fish:

• Live in water all the time
• Have scales and fins
• Breathe through gills
• Examples: Tilapia, catfish, shark

Reptiles:

• Have dry, scaly skin
• Lay eggs on land
• Are cold-blooded
• Examples: Snake, lizard, turtle

Exercise 1:

1. Where do arboreal animals live? _______
2. What do mammals feed their babies? _______
3. Name one aquatic animal: _______