Is It a Bird? Is It a Reptile? Animal Classification for Little Learners

Animals are a diverse group of living organisms with many different characteristics. To understand and study them better, scientists have developed a system of organizing animals into categories based on their shared traits. This animal classification system helps scientists group animals in a way that makes sense. The system is based on grouping animals based on their similarities in physical appearance, behavior, and other characteristics. This year, we can help you teach your students how to classify animals with our printable Animal Classification Worksheets for kids!

Which Animal Class Does It Belong To? Animal Classes

Is that animal a bird, a fish, a reptile, or an insect? Starting out, your students might not be able to tell you the difference between a fish and a reptile, but with the help of this printable Animal Classification Worksheet, your students will be able to identify a variety of animals based on whether the animal :

• is warm-blooded or cold-blooded?
• has fur, fins, feathers, scales or skin?
• has live young or lays eggs?
• is a vertebrate or invertebrate?
• has lungs or gills?

To complete this worksheet, students will use what they have learned about different animal classes to determine which features belong to mammals, reptiles, fish, etc. They will complete the animal classification table to demonstrate their understanding.

Download, Project and Teach All About Animal Classification 

This resource is downloadable as an easy-to-use Google Slides presentation. Click the download button to download your resource and start teaching today!

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator.

Even More Ideas for Teaching Animal Classification

Need More Ideas for teaching animal classification? Try out these fun resources before you go!

teaching resource

Animal Classification Sort

Determine if an animal is an amphibian, reptile, mammal, or bird with this sorting activity.

teaching resource

Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores – Sorting Activity

Determine if animals are omnivores, carnivores, or herbivores based on their diet with this sorting activity.

teaching resource

Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores – Sorting Activity

Determine if animals are omnivores, carnivores, or herbivores based on their diet with this sorting activity.