Vertebrates

Physical characteristics shared by vertebrates:  Have backbones, an internal skeleton (endoskeleton), and muscles.  Have blood circulating through blood vessels & lungs (or gills) for breathing.  Have a protective skin covering.  Most have legs, wings, or fins for movement.  Have a nervous system with a brain that processes information from their environment through sensory organs.

Vertebrates Vertebrates differ in the way they control their body temperature. If their body temperature: •

changes with or is like their environment cold-blooded or

ectothermic

fishes, amphibians, & reptiles

•

stays constant regardless of the environment -

warm-blooded or endothermic

birds & mammals

State Animals

ectothermic Live in the water Fish Obtain oxygen through gills Have fins & scales Lay eggs

Snakes, lizards, alligators, crocodiles turtles ectothermic REPTILES Breathe with lungs Have scales or plates Egg laying Some eggs may hatch inside the female

 Most breathe in

AMPHIBIA NS

water with gills when young  on land with lungs as adults  go through a metamorphosis  lay jelly-like eggs  ectothermic

AMPHIBI ANS

Frogs and salamanders have smooth, moist skin, through which they breathe - live part of their life in water and part on land.

AMPHIBI ANS

Toads have thicker, bumpy skin - live on land.

feathers Lay hard shell eggs Two wings Beak endothermic Breathe with Lungs Two feet

BIRDS

BIRDS

BREATHE WITH LUNGS MOST BABIES BORN LIVE HAVE FUR OR HAIR PRODUCE MILK FOR THEIR YOUNG HAVE 4 LEGS (ARMS COUNT)

SC WILDLIFE MAGAZINE 1.Find examples of (give the name & page #) 1 Reptile, 1 Amphibian, 1 Bird, 1 Fish, 1 Mammal, & 2 Invertebrates

Whooo Hoots in Carolina?

Starts on page 24 2. What type of owl lives in man-made structures?

3. Which is the smallest owl in SC?

4. Which is commonly called a hoot owl?

5. Which owl are you most likely to track down in SC?