What do we need to know?

Hello guys,

During this week we have studied about birds and fish. Here you have the information you need to know about these two groups:


BIRDS

What is a bird?

Birds are vertebrate animals. It means they have a backbone or spine.

What are their characteristics?

-The main characteristic of a bird are the feathers. It is the only animal that has them.

- Other important features for birds are wings and hollow bones, which make the bird light in order to fly.

- They are endothermic. Also known as “warm-blooded”, they regulate their own body temperature which allows them to live in almost every climate on Earth.

- They are oviparous. They lay eggs with hard, waterproof shells. 

Where do they live?

Different species of birds suit different types of natural habitats. A habitat includes all four necessities for a bird´s survival: food, water, shelter and nesting sites.

• Non-migratory birds occupy the same habitat year-round, but may adjust their behaviour to suit different seasons.
• Migratory birds change habitats seasonally, and they may be hundreds or thousands of miles apart. They seek out similar habitats that meet their needs in different locations at different times of the year.

FISH

WHAT IS A FISH?

Fish are the biggest group of vertebrates. Fish live in fresh water or in the sea. Most fish are oviparous, but sharks, for example, are viviparous.

MAIN CHARACTERICTICS

• They are cold-blooded animals that live in the water. They can´t control their body temperature.

• Reproduction: Most fish are oviparous. Some fish keep their eggs in their mouth until they hatch.
• Nutrition: Fish can be carnivores, herbivores or omnivores.

• Respiration: They breathe with their gills. They take in oxygen from the water through their mouth and release carbon dioxide through their gills.
• Physical characteristics: They have a tail and fins which help them move around. Their skin is covered in scales which protect their body.

TYPES OF FISH

There are 32.000 different species of fish. There are three major types or classes of fish:

1.              Jawless fish: For example lampreys and hagfish.

2.              Cartilaginous fish: They are jawed vertebrates with skeletons made of cartilage not bone.  Some examples are sharks and rays.

3.              Bony fish: They have got a skeleton made of bone. Salmon, tunas, etc. are examples of this type.

On Monday, I will ask you some questions about it. Remember to do your own summary at home:

STEPS TO CREATE YOUR SUMMARY OR POSTER:

1. I read the information at least twice.

2. I underline the most important information.

3. I check the words I don´t understand.

4. I organise the ideas in a craft.

5. I create my summary or my poster.

Have a nice weekend,

Paula :)