Animals - Metazoa
Animals (Metazoa) are multicellular organisms that are capable of locomotion. Animals are heterotrophs, which means they rely on other organisms to obtain their nourishment. Most animals (with the exception of sponges) have bodies that are differentiated into tissues which are in turn organized into organ systems.
Animal Profiles: An A to Z List of Common Names
Find an animal of interest using this index to the animal profiles and fact sheets available at the Animals / Wildlife website.
Find an animal of interest using this index to the animal profiles and fact sheets available at the Animals / Wildlife website.
Animal Profiles: An A to Z List of Scientific Names
Find an animal of interest using this index of animal profiles and fact sheets available at the Animals / Wildlife website. Profiles are sorted by scientific name.
Find an animal of interest using this index of animal profiles and fact sheets available at the Animals / Wildlife website. Profiles are sorted by scientific name.
Animal Profiles: A List of Animal Groups
Find an animal of interest using this index of animal profiles and fact sheets available at the Animals / Wildlife website. Profiles are sorted by animal group.
Find an animal of interest using this index of animal profiles and fact sheets available at the Animals / Wildlife website. Profiles are sorted by animal group.
What Makes an Organism an Animal?
What is an animal? It's a simple enough question, but the answer is complex and requires an understanding of some rather hefty scientific concepts and terms.
What is an animal? It's a simple enough question, but the answer is complex and requires an understanding of some rather hefty scientific concepts and terms.
How Many Species Inhabit Our Planet?
It is valuable to have some idea of how many species inhabit our planet—it gives us the perspective necessary to balance research and conservation objectives to ensure some groups of animals are not overlooked and helps us to better understand community structure and dynamics.
It is valuable to have some idea of how many species inhabit our planet—it gives us the perspective necessary to balance research and conservation objectives to ensure some groups of animals are not overlooked and helps us to better understand community structure and dynamics.
Quiz: Do You Know Your Animal Groups?
The animals in the pictures that follow all belong to one of six basic groups (amphibians, birds, fishes, invertebrates, mammals, or reptiles). Select the appropriate group for each animal pictured.
The animals in the pictures that follow all belong to one of six basic groups (amphibians, birds, fishes, invertebrates, mammals, or reptiles). Select the appropriate group for each animal pictured.
The Six Basic Groups of Animals
If you're just starting to learn about animals and wildlife, it would be an overwhelming task to try and memorize species, one by one. Instead, an understanding of the main groups of animals provides a good foundation for further learning.
If you're just starting to learn about animals and wildlife, it would be an overwhelming task to try and memorize species, one by one. Instead, an understanding of the main groups of animals provides a good foundation for further learning.
Chordates (Chordata)
The unifying characteristic of chordates (Chordata) is the presense of a notochord (an internal skeletal rod that provides support) during some stage of the animal's development.
The unifying characteristic of chordates (Chordata) is the presense of a notochord (an internal skeletal rod that provides support) during some stage of the animal's development.