Animal Kingdom Overview
Multicellular
Heterotrophic
Eukaryotic
Reproduce: Asexually and Sexually
Important phyla
cnidarians
mollusks
annelids
arthropods
echinoderms
chordates
The cnidarian phylum includes animals that live in water and have a central opening surrounded by tentacles. This
opening is used for taking in food and eliminating wastes. Jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals are examples of
cnidarians. Mostly marine organisms, there are a few that live in freshwater. On the tentacles are nematocysts. These
are the structures responsible for causing the "sting".
The mollusk phylum includes animals that live on land and in both fresh and marine water. They have a muscular foot
that is used to hunt for food and move. They have a radula which is a rough tongue used to grab and eat food. Snails,
clams, and octopuses are examples of mollusks. These organisms have soft bodies.
The annelid phylum includes animals that live on land and in water (both fresh and marine). They are called segmented
worms because they have bodies that are made up of many connected sections called segments. Earthworms, leeches
and some sea-floor worms are examples of annelids.
The arthropod phylum includes animals that live on land, in water, and in the air. They have an outer covering called an
exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed appendages or legs. Arthropods go through periods of molting to shed
their exoskeleton. Some arthropods also have wings. Crabs, spiders, and insects are examples of arthropods.
The echinoderm phylum includes animals that live in water. Their bodies have radial symmetry and a central opening for
taking in food. Radial symmetry means that the organism has no right or left sides. Their bodies are laid out in a circle
with identical parts arranged around a central mouth. Sand dollars, sea urchins, and sea stars are examples of
echinoderms.
The chordate phylum includes animals that live on land, in the water and in the air. Most chordates are vertebrates.
This means they have a backbone. At some point in their lives all chordates have a flexible rod called a notochord that
supports their backs, a nerve cord that runs down their backs, and slits in their throats. In some chordates, such as
humans, a backbone replaces the notochord and the slits in the throat close before birth. Humans, birds, snakes and
fish are examples of chordates. Warm blooded organisms are mammals, cold blooded are fish, reptiles and amphibians
Mammals have hair, give birth to live young and produce mild for their young.