Animal Scramble
Activity: Enrichment Life Science
Grade Level: 6th
Introduction:
Scientists have grouped animals by characteristics for a long time. A
characteristic is something special about an animal or group that makes it different from
any other group. These characteristics are based on activities and the appearance of the
animals.
The classification scheme was started by Carolus Linnaeus. Linnaeus started by
assigning the genus and species name to many animals. His system was then expanded to
include the different breakdowns we currently use. The breakdowns now are classified
by Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species. As we travel through
each breakdown, the number of organisms in that breakdown decreases. This decrease
continues until the name for that specific organism is reached.
Here is an example of how the breakdown works for the American Black bear.
The Kingdom breakdown is Animal, which includes every animal of the world. The
Phylum breakdown is Chordata, which are animals with a backbone. The Class
breakdown leads us to Mammals, basically any animal that produces milk for their young
to drink. The Order breakdown takes us to Carnivora, which is any meat-eating animal.
The Family breakdown takes us to Ursidae, which is any animal that is bear like. The
Genus breakdown takes us to bears specifically. Finally the Species breakdown takes us
to the American Black Bear.
Purpose:
This lab will introduce students to the Linnaeun classification system. It will also
introduce students to the Latin names of the animals.
Equipment and Materials:
Index cards
List of characteristics provided in this lab.
Procedure:
Glue
1. Cut out all of the characteristics from the following animal characteristic lists.
2. Glue each characteristic to an index card.
3. The master list contains the Linnaeun classification scheme for the animals we are
concentrating on. The first word given in each scheme is the Latin name for that
classification. The word in parenthesis is the English translation for the Latin
name.
4. Match the animal characteristics to the correct Linnaeun classification scheme
provided in the master list.
5. After all of the cards have been matched to the master list, all of the cards have a
number.
6. Record the number from each card in the data table provided.
Master List
Name
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus and Species
Large Mouth Bass
Animalia (Animal)
Chordate (backbone)
Osteichthyes (Bony fish)
Perciformes (Bass, darter)
Centrarchidae (Basses)
Micropterus salmoides
(Large mouth Bass)
Rainbow Trout
Animalia (Animal)
Chordate
Osteichthyes (Bony fish)
Clupeiformes (trout, pike)
Salmonidae (Trout)
Oncorhynchus mykiss
(Rainbow Trout)
Yellow Perch
Animalia (Animal)
Chordate
Osteichthyes (Bony fish)
Perciformes (bass,darter)
Percidae (Perch, others)
Perca flavescens
( Yellow Perch)
Name
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
American Toad
Animal
Chordate
Amphibia (Amphibian)
Anura (frogs and toads)
Bufonidae (Toads)
Bullfrog frog
Animal
Chordate
Amphibia (Amphibian)
Anura (frogs and toads)
Ranidae (Frogs)
Genus and Species
Bufo americanus
(American Toad)
Rana catesbeiana
(Bullfrog Frog)
Spotted Salamander
Animal
Chordate
Amphibia (Amphibian)
Caudata (Salamanders)
Ambystomatidae (Mole
Salamanders)
Ambystoma maculatum
(Spotted Salamander)
Name
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Eastern Box Turtle
Animal
Chordate
Reptilia (Reptile)
Testudinata (Turtles)
Emydidae (Box Turtles)
Timber Rattlesnake
Animal
Chordate
Reptilia (Reptile)
Serpentes (Snakes)
Viperidae (Vipers)
Genus and Species
Terrapene carolina
(Eastern Box Turtle)
Eastern Fence Lizard
Animal
Chordate
Reptilia (Reptile)
Lacertilia (Lizards)
Phrynosomatidae (Spiny
lizards)
Scelopterus undulatus
(Eastern Fence Lizard)
Name
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus and Species
Mallard Duck
Animal
Chordate
Birds (Aves)
Anseriformes (waterfowl)
Anatinae (Marsh Ducks)
Anas platyrhynchos
(Mallard Duck)
Bald Eagle
Animal
Chordate
Birds (Aves)
Falconiformes (Falcons)
Accipitridae (Eagles)
Haliaeetus leucocephales
(Bald Eagle)
American Robin
Animal
Chordate
Birds (Aves)
Passeriformes (Wrens)
Turdidae (Thrushes)
Turdus migratorius
(American Robin)
Name
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus and Species
Human Being
Animal
Chordate
Mammalia (Mammal)
Primates (Monkeys)
Homodae (human like)
Homo sapiens
(Humans)
White-tailed Deer
Animal
Chordate
Mammalia (Mammal)
Artiodactyla (even hoof)
Cervidae (Deer)
Odocoiles virginianus
(White-tailed Deer)
Deer Mouse
Animal
Chordate
Mammalia (Mammal)
Rodentia (Rodents)
Cricetidae (Mice, Rats)
Peromyscus maniculatus
(Deer Mouse)
Animal Scramble
Crotalus horridus
(Timber Rattlesnake)
Cards to Match to Master List
Class Characteristics
Class:
1
Class:
2
Must live in water at all
times
Contains salamanders,
Frogs, Toads, and Worm
like caecilians.
Class:
Class:
4
The young live in water.
The adults life on land.
Hair of fur covers their
body.
Class:
Class:
7
Class:
3
Their skin is scales,
shields or plates.
5
Class:
6
These animals are
covered in feathers.
8
Class:
9
This group is composed
of turtles, lizards,
snakes, and crocodiles.
This group has a single gill
opening on each side of the
body.
This group has hollow
bones.
Class:
Class:
Class:
10
11
This group is found in
virtually all waters of the
world.
This group is the only
class, which has external
ears.
All young drink milk
from their mother.
Class:
Class:
Class:
13
The animals in this class
have moist skin.
14
This class has changed very
little over time, and this
group looks a lot like the
dinosaurs.
Animal Scramble
This group has a very
aerodynamic body
structure.
12
15
The Family classification
Family:
16
Family:
Skin is covered in warts.
Largest turtle family.
Family:
Family:
19
17
Family:
18
All members are
extremely venomous.
20
Family:
21
This group has very
large ears. It also has a
tail, which is covered
with short hairs.
Includes Crappies, Basses
and Bluegills.
Have sharp talons
(toenails) to catch, kill
and carry prey.
Family:
Family:
Family:
22
23
24
This group basks in the
sun to increase body
temperature.
Typical frogs with really
long legs.
This group is called
waterfowl because they
swim and eat in the
water.
Family:
Family:
Family:
25
This group stays very
close to the bottom of
the stream or lake.
Family:
28
This group lives in
freshwater or they
migrate to freshwater to
spawn (lay eggs).
26
27
They spend a lot of time
underground even though
they are amphibians.
These are hoofed
animals, which have
antlers that are shed each
year.
Family:
Family:
29
This group has been known
to monkey around.
30
This bird group will eat
worms, insects, fruits
and berries.
Animal Scramble
Genus characteristics
Genus:
31
Genus:
32
Genus:
33
Tend to hop instead of
leap.
This genus has a brownish
colored coat with a white
belly.
This genus has a blue
strip on the back corner
of the wing.
Genus:
Genus:
Genus:
34
35
They have a rattle on
their tail that they shake.
This genus contains the
most popular sport fishes.
Males of this genus
generally have blue
patches on their belly
and neck.
Genus:
Genus:
Genus:
37
38
36
39
This genus provided the
legs when we eat frogs’
legs.
This genus has a long thin
body so it can move
through the water easier.
The adults of this genus
have a white head and
white tail feathers.
Genus:
Genus:
Genus:
40
41
This group of
amphibians has 5 toes on
their front feet and 4
toes on their back feet.
This group closes their
shell tight when danger is
present.
This genus has white
feet a very long tail.
Genus:
Genus:
Genus:
43
This genus usually has
black spots or specks on
its salmon or trout
shaped body.
44
This genus is a very
common bird that can be
seen in the city or the
country.
42
45
This genus contains
individuals with
different skin tones and
it has also adapted to
living in many different
environments.
Animal Scramble
Species characteristics
Species:
46
Species:
47
Species:
48
This species has a white
tail that waves goodbye
to the hunter as it
bounces through the
woods.
This species is generally
brown in color and is found
mostly on land.
This species lives on
land, but they love to sit
and soak in mud for
hours or days.
Species:
Species:
Species:
49
50
This is the largest frog in
PA. It also contains a
very large tympanum or
eardrum.
This species has a pink to
red stripe through the
center of their body.
This species, which is
our national bird, eats
dead or dying fish.
Species:
Species:
Species:
52
53
51
54
This species is the only
species of lizard found
in PA. But, they are
really hard to catch
because they are really
fast.
This is the only species in
the world, which has the
intelligence to destroy or
preserve its own existence.
This species of fish has a
yellowish colored body.
Species:
Species:
Species:
55
56
57
The back of this species
is black, but it is covered
with 2 lines of bright
yellow spots.
The belly of this species is
a bright red to orange
color.
The male of this species
has an emerald green
head.
Species:
Species:
Species:
58
This species is the only
rattlesnake found in PA.
It also has dark bands
that encircle the body.
59
Fishermen love this species
because it has a large
mouth, which makes it
easier to set the hook.
60
This species has a two
colored tail.
Animal Scramble
Data Table
Name: ____________________________________ Date: _______________
Largemouth Bass
Class card #
Rainbow Trout
Class card #
Yellow Perch
Class card #
Family card #
Family card #
Family card #
Genus card #
Genus card #
Genus card #
Species card #
Species card #
Species card #
American Toad
Class card #
Bullfrog Frog
Class card #
Spotted Salamander
Class card #
Family card #
Family card #
Family card #
Genus card #
Genus card #
Genus card #
Species card #
Species card #
Species card #
Eastern Box Turtle
Class card #
Eastern Fence Lizard
Class card #
Timber Rattlesnake
Class card #
Family card #
Family card #
Family card #
Genus card #
Genus card #
Genus card #
Species card #
Species card #
Species card #
Mallard Duck
Class card #
Bald Eagle
Class card #
American Robin
Class card #
Family card #
Family card #
Family card #
Genus card #
Genus card #
Genus card #
Species card #
Species card #
Species card #
Human being
Class card #
White-tailed Deer
Class card #
Deer mouse
Class card #
Family card #
Family card #
Family card #
Genus card #
Genus card #
Genus card #
Species card #
Species card #
Species card #
Questions:
1. Look around the room, does everyone have the class cards under the same animal? Is
this what you expected to see? Why?
2. What are two major differences between Amphibians and Reptiles? Why do you say
that?
3. Choose three of the animals listed in the master list and write as many characteristics
as you can for those three animals.
Teacher’s Notes
Animal Scramble
Lab Time: 35 minutes
Preparation:
Time: 10 minutes
T: The amount of materials needed for this lab is very small. The most that is
needed is time to photocopy all of the provided sheets.
T: Any of the three class cards will match any animal in that class. Other that
that, all of the other cards only has one correct answer.
T: If you want to add different animals or different characteristics, the
Peterson Field Guides provide a lot of valuable information. The guides
cost around $20 and can be found at almost any bookstore.
T: Gluing the characteristics to the note cards is for stability. It is not a
necessary step, but it might safe time if more than one class is using the lab.
Answers to Matching Characteristics:
Animal
Largemouth Bass
Rainbow Tout
Yellow Perch
American Toad
Bullfrog Frog
Spotted Salamander
Eastern Box Turtle
Eastern Fence Lizard
Timber Rattlesnake
Mallard Duck
Bald Eagle
American Robin
Human Being
White-tailed Deer
Deer Mouse
Class
card #
1,8,10
1,8,10
1,8,10
2,4,13
2,4,13
2,4,13
3,7,14
3,7,14
3,7,14
6,9,15
6,9,15
6,9,15
5,11,12
5,11,12
5,11,12
Family
card #
43
28
50
16
23
26
17
22
18
24
21
30
29
27
19
Genus
card #
35
20
59
31
37
40
41
36
34
33
39
44
45
32
42
Species
card #
38
26
54
47
49
55
48
52
58
57
51
56
53
46
60
Answers to Questions:
1. Look around the room, does everyone have the class cards under the same animal? Is
this what you expected to see? Why?
The Class breakdown takes us to the division of the five major
classes, which are fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Because this breakdown is more general than specific, the class
cards can fit under any of the animals in that class. So not all of
the students will have the same card with the same animal.
2. What are two major differences between Amphibians and Reptiles? Why do you say
that?
The major differences between amphibians and reptiles are the
skin covering and the cycle of life. Most amphibians have a very
moist skin, compared to the dry scaly skin of the reptile. The
second difference, the stages of life are extremely different. The
amphibian hatches from eggs laid in water and spends their
juvenile life there. On the other hand, reptile eggs are laid in nests
on land. Some reptiles return to the water after birth but some do
not. Some reptiles that head towards water are crocodiles,
alligators and some turtles.
3. Choose three of the animals listed in the master list and write as many characteristics
as you can for those three animals.
Students answers will vary based on which animals they choose.
Considerations:
If it is available, one way to add to this lab is to have the students run through the
lab as it is. Then have a preserved specimen there and have the students classify the
specimen as specifically as possible.