Animals

PETS

@englishwithchouchou
 Types of Animals

With our world being home to vast and incredible species of

animals, you can’t help but wonder just how many of them are
really out there. They’re everywhere. On land, sea, and air. Some of
these animals can generate their own ‘body heat while others
have to rely on the environment to keep themselves warm. As you
read further, you will discover for yourself just how many
different kinds of animals there are.

There are some people who agree that most of these animals can
be divided into two main categories: those who have a backbone
(vertebrae) and those without a backbone (invertebrates).

Vertebrates
Birds
Mammals
Amphibians
Reptiles
Fish
Invertebrates
 Mammals

Often large ferocious creatures. Known for their intelligence making them more
adept at surviving their environment. Mammals are vertebrates, often with fur
and sweat glands, and have the ability to produce milk thru ‘mammary glands.
Most mammals are pack animals, often belonging to groups as large as 40.

Examples of Mammals:
Cats
Jaguars
Dogs
Panthers
Horses
Tigers
Kangaroos
Leopards
Elephants
Lions
Dolphins
Whales
Monkeys
Pumas
Humans

Special moment:

Water shrews are these tiny, super tiny surprisingly ferocious, hyperactive predators.
Often hunting insects and smaller creatures. Storing air bubbles to swim gracefully
through the water. These small creatures are incredibly fast when they run.
 Amphibians

Amphibians
You know you’ve encountered an amphibian when you see an
animal that has moist skin without the presence of scales that looks
very slimy. This slimy texture allows them to better absorb water
and gas in their environment. Throughout their evolution, at an
early stage, they have developed complex systems such as gills to
help them breathe underwater. As they grow, they start developing
lunges enabling them to breathe air. Making them both land and sea
creatures.

Examples of Amphibians:
Newts
Toads
Salamanders
Frogs
Hyla
Diplocaulus
Axoloti
Urodela
Microsauria

Special mention:

Caecilians are an unusual type of amphibian. They have the body of a

worm which means they can burrow but the face of a snake, with
mouths equipped with dozens of needle-like teeth. You can think of
them as legless (sometimes blind) salamanders.
 Birds

Birds
You can easily identify birds because of their beaks, feathers, and
wings, and they lay eggs from the largest such as the Wandering
Albatross to the tiniest Bee Hummingbird. Some of them are
incredibly lightweight, making flying an effortless task.

Examples of Birds

Hummingbird
Owl
Toucan
Blue Jay
Dove
Sparrow
Vulture
Duck
Shoveler
Eagle
Frogmouth
Seagull
Parrot
Scarlet Iiwi
Shoebill Stork
 Flightless Birds

Some birds have more weight compared to their lightweight

counterpart. They also have lesser wing bones and don’t have
breastbone keel (This bone connects to their ‘flight muscles”).
Thanks to evolution, their lack of flight is compensated as they are
more suited to running and walking than flying.

Examples of Flightless Birds:

Cassowary
Ostrich
Kiwi
Flightless Cormorant
Southern Steamer Duck
Emu

Special mention:

Penguins are more adept in swimming as their wings

(flippers) and feet have evolved to act as propellers which
allows them to swim quickly.
 Reptiles

You can recognize reptiles even from afar because of their scales. Not only
do these scales provide them extra protection against predators, but in
some species, they can even help them survive arid, dry environments or
help them glide through turrid waters or narrow muddy waterways.

Examples of Reptiles:

Geckos
Crocodiles
Lizards
Sea Turtles
Black Caimans
Tortoise
Snakes
Alligators
Komodo Dragons
Iguanas
Chameleons
Gharials

Special mention:

Mary river turtles known as the punk rock creature of the sea
are known for their green mohawk. Often found in
Queensland, Australia – their mohawks are made up of algae.
 Fish

Fishes are known to reside underwater and can be identified because of

their fins and gills. Most of them are covered in scales, which protect their
bodies against predators, and mucus that makes swimming easier.

Examples of Fishes:

Salmon
Tilapia
Handfish
Tuna
Catfish
Wobbegong
Bass
Vampire squid
Trout
Lionfish
Sardines
Carp
Pike
Eels
Angelfish
Parrotfish
Clownfish
Angelfish

Special mention:

Sunfish (Mola Mola) is, arguably, one of the most unusual sea creatures to have ever,
ever existed. A floating piece of meat that weighs over 4,000 pounds with the ability to
lay over 300 million (yes, 300 million) eggs. Some call it stupid, some call them
necessary, some call them dinner plates, and some just want to rant about it.
 Worms and insects

Worms are tube-like creatures that have no limbs, you will often see them
in your garden or possibly anywhere where there is a constant source of
water. You can see most worms but some worms live as parasites in the
body of a living organism. Often dangerous for all types of animals
including or especially people.

Examples of Worms and insects

Earthworm
Roundworm
Threadworm
Hookworm
Tapeworms
Whipworms
Intestinal worms
Flatworms

Special mention:

If you ever see a worm jump or a worm that kinda rattles with a jerk-like moment,
eliminate it. These jumping worms are not good. They are not earthworms that are
actually good for your soil. They’re invasive. They damage your soil.
 Questions
1. Do you think it is right to keep wild animals in captivity all there life
2. Is it morally right to spend a lot of money on pets, rather than helping people in need?
3. Why are pets, not people used for medical research?
4. What is your favorite animal?
5. Have you ever had a pet?
6. What kind of pet would you like to have in the future?
7. Have you ever been to the zoo? What animals did you see there?
8. Have you ever been on a farm? What animals did you see there?
9. Do you ever bird watch?
10. Do you think people should wear fur coats?
11. Should animals be kept in a zoo?
12. Do you consider yourself an animal lover?
13. Do bats help people?
14. What animal is liked to be petted?
15. Do you think the most important thing by which psychopaths can be recognized is their attitude toward animals? Explain why.
16. Do you think it is a good pattern in general to judge people by their attitude toward animals? Explain why?
17. Are you afraid of snakes?
18. Are you frightened of spiders?
19. Are your pet(s) healthy?
20. Can you ride a horse?
21. Do you ever go bird watching?
22. Do you ever talk to your pet? If so, what do you say?
23. Do you know anyone who has a horse?
24. Do you know anyone who keeps their dog in their house?
25. Do you prefer dogs or cats?
26. Do you talk to your pet sometimes?
27. Do you think it is acceptable to test cosmetics on animals?
28. Do you think it is okay to eat meat?
29. Is there any kind of meat you would not eat?
30. Do you think that animals dream?
31. Do your pets have special behavior problems?
32. How do you deal with those problems?
33. Have you ever been bitten by a dog?
34. Have you ever been bitten by a snake?
35. Have you ever eaten rabbit meat?
36. Have you ever seen a dog that helps people, such as one to help a blind person?
37. If so, what did you notice about the dog?
38. How do you think that dog was trained?
39. How long do you think a dog can live without food?
40. How many birds do you know that can't fly?
41. How many national animal preserves do you have in your country?
42. How many pets have you raised and what are they?
43. How many zoos have you been to?
44. How much does it cost to keep your pet?
45. If you could be an animal, what would you (choose to) be? Why?
46. Is it harmful for a dog to travel in cabin on a airline under the seat where your carry-on bags go?
47. Some people think that people shouldn't wear animal furs. Do you agree? Why or why not?
48. Think of some people you know. Which animals do they resemble?
49. What animal do you think is the funniest?
50. What animal would you like to be? (Which animal...?)
51. What animals are symbols of your country?
52. What animals do you think are cute?
53. What animal do you think is the cutest?
54. What animals do you think are scary?
55. What animals do you think is the most dangerous?
56. What are the most popular pets in your country?
57. What are the pros and cons of keeping a pet?
58. (Why are there so many people who are willing to sacrifice their time and money to raise a pet?)
59. What can children learn by having a pet?
60. What are some things a child can learn by having a pet?
61. What is the difference between a pet and a wild animal?
62. What is the most unusual pet you have ever seen?