Types of Animals
- Vertebrates: Animals with a backbone, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
- Invertebrates: Animals without a backbone, including insects, crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and echinoderms.
- Archaea: Single-celled microorganisms that were once classified as bacteria, but later determined to be distinct.
- Bacteria: Single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms.
Characteristics of Animals
- Heterotrophic: Obtain nutrients from other organisms.
- Multicellular: Consist of many cells.
- Motile: Typically able to move from place to place.
- Sensitive: Possess sensory organs to detect changes in the environment.
- Reproductive: Have specific means of reproduction, including sexual or asexual.
Diversity of Animals
- Over 3 million known species, including an estimated 10 million insect species.
- Inhabit a wide range of habitats, from oceans to deserts and forests.
- Range in size from microscopic rotifers to massive blue whales.
- Display an incredible diversity of behaviors, adaptations, and physical characteristics.
Ecological Roles
- Play vital roles in ecosystems as predators, prey, decomposers, and pollinators.
- Maintain biodiversity and balance in nature.
- Provide numerous benefits to humans, such as:
- Food: Livestock, fish, poultry
- Clothing: Wool, leather, silk
- Transportation: Horses, elephants
- Medicine: Antivenoms, antibiotics
Threats to Animals
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Climate change
- Pollution
- Overharvesting
- Invasive species
Conservation Efforts
- Protect and restore habitats
- Implement sustainable harvesting practices
- Control invasive species
- Conduct research and monitoring
- Raise awareness and promote education