Animal Life Cycles
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Identify the different stages that animals go through in a life
cycle.
Compare the life cycles of different kinds of animals.
• Adult-the stage of an animal’s life cycle when it reproduces.
• Egg-a structure containing food that young animals need in order
to grow.
• Hatching- the process by which an animal breaks out of an egg.
• Larva-a young insect that has just hatched.
• Life Cycle- the stages through which animals grow, change,
reproduce, and die.
• Metamorphosis- a process by which an organism’s body changes
form.
• Pupa- the stage in which an insect is changing into an adult.
• Tadpole- a young frog that breathes with gills.
Vocabulary
What are some animal life cycles?
Different types of animals
change in different ways.
Some animals are born
looking like their parents.
Others are not. These
animals might change shape
or color as they grow. They
may even grow new
structures. The way an
animal changes with age is
part of its life cycle.
Metamorphosis
Some animals change shape
through a process called
metamorphosis.
Amphibians and most
insects go through
metamorphosis. Their life
cycle begins with an egg.
Eggs contain food that
young animals need. Most
have a shell that protects
the animal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHn4-L2C3t0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5QH3bGF4uU
Reptiles, Fish, & Birds
Reptiles, fish, and birds have
similar life cycles. Most of these
animals lay eggs. Reptiles lay eggs
on dry land. Fish lay eggs in water.
Birds often build nests to protect
their eggs. An animal grows inside
the egg. Young reptiles, fish, and
birds do NOT go through
metamorphosis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGoayx3Hvo4
Reptiles, Fish, & Birds
In time, young reptiles, fish
and birds grow into adults.
Now they can reproduce
and have young of their
own. Most reptiles and fish
do not look after their
young. The young can find
food on their own. Birds
often raise their young until
the young can fly and find
food for themselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DqjsWsY8-g
Mammal Life Cycle
Mammals do not hatch from eggs. Young mammals are born live. They
look much like their parents from the start. Adult mammals feed and care
for their young. As they grow, young mammals lose fat and grow
stronger.
Review
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Main Idea: Describe the life cycles of two different animals.
Vocabulary: What is metamorphosis?
Sequence: Name the stages in a sea turtle’s life cycle.
Critical Thinking: Do you go through metamorphosis? How
do you know?
An iguana’s life cycle would be most like a…
Turtle
Cheetah
Fly
Bear