Living organisms that are vertebrates (have backbones) in the animal kingdom can be divided up into five classes: birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians and fish.

Mammals are usually warm-blooded vertebrates with fur or hair that typically give birth to live young. A few exceptions exist including the duck-billed platypus which lays eggs.

There are seven processes that are common to all living things (organisms). These are: movement, reproduction, sensitivity, nutrition, excretion, respiration (breathing) and growth.

A habitat is a place where groups of living organisms are found. For example: forests and woodland, ponds and rivers, grassland.

Adaptation

Animals found in particular habitats are particularly suited to living there. This is known as adaptation. Camouflage, thick fur and an ability to climb are all examples of how an animal may be adapted to its environment.

Food chains

A food chain shows how one living organism is food for another. All food chains begin with the sun and then a green plant. The green plant in a food chain is known as a producer because it does not eat anything but produces its own food.

Herbivore

A herbivore is an animal that only eats plants. In other words, it is a vegetarian!

Carnivore

A carnivore is an animal that eats other animals. The animal right at the end of the food chain is called the 'top carnivore' because nothing else eats it.

Consumer

Herbivores and carnivores are both consumers because they eat plants and other animals for their food.