Welcome! This website will hopefully serve to introduce you to the amazing world of animals. There are approximately 35 phyla in the Animal Kingdom, but here you will find 8 of the most prominent: Porifera (sponges), Cnidarians (jellyfish and coral animals), Platyhelminthes (flatworms), Mollusca (snails, slugs, octopi, clams, oysters, and squids), Annelida (segmented worms), Arthropoda (spiders, crustaceans, and insects), Echinodermata (starfish and sea urchins), and Cordata (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibeans, and fish). Animal classification important because it allows us to see how diverse and intricate life is. Through study of the different phylum, we can see the adaptations that allow us to survive. It’s just so amazing looking at the different systems with which animals are equipped that so perfectly fit their habitat. It also gives evidence for evolution. As we can see, the features and systems of an animal get progressively more complex, suggesting the theory that one animal evolved from another until all the existing species were created. One characteristic used for
domestic dog (lhasapoo): Canis lupus familiaris
classification is circulatory system. For example, in a mollusk, their blood flows freely without separation or blood vessels. In annelids, the blood is actually pumped through blood vessels by the heart. Leaping to the amphibians, a three-chambered heart is found, which actually tries to separate oxygenated and deoxygenated blood so that the blood can have as much oxygen to deliver as possible. Finally, mammals have a four-chambered heart, meaning that in your heart, there is no mixing of blood at all! The type of circulatory system in an animal tells you how complex the animal is or what the animal can do/does. Another characteristic that is considered in classification is reproduction. A sponge can reproduce asexually by a process called regeneration. A cnidarian reproduces by external fertilization, just throwing its egg or sperm into the water. However, birds use
octopus: Octopoda
internal fertilization and lay an amniotic egg. This means that the embryo is provided with protection and nutrients needed for development. But your mom obviously didn’t lay an egg. That’s because humans, along with most mammals, give birth to live young. This means that the embryo develops within the mother. I think this again shows how complex an animal is. The more complex, the more nurturing needed. A sponge is simple- it can literally grow from itself. But humans need shelter, nutrients, and time to become such intricately designed beings. I think it's just amazing to be able to see how detailed and specific God has created life.To explore each phylum, choose a category from the menu above. I hope you enjoy learning about these incredible animals and thanks for visiting!
ghost crab: Ocypodinae
tree of life
