Fun and Interesting Animal Facts

As human beings, we are naturally fascinated by and curious about animals. Learning about animals fills children with a sense of wonder. As adults, we are thrilled by seeing the power and majesty of the larger animals at the zoo. Because humans are classified as animals, too, we naturally make a connection with them -- some as pets, some just to observe in their natural habitat.

Animals are enthralling to humans because there are so many species of them as well. While no one knows for sure the exact number of animal species living on earth, 10,000 new species are identified each year. It has been estimated that there are between 2 million and 50 million species living on earth.

Animals provide humans with an opportunity to learn about how to appreciate the simple pleasures in life: food, shelter, and companionship. It is vital that we, as humans, protect animals, especially endangered species, as they cannot protect themselves. Read on to learn about jobs that allow you to work with animals, the classification system of animals, and some interesting facts and trivia about animals.

Animal Professions

Some lucky people get to work with animals every day. It isn't all fun and games, however, working with animals is a huge responsibility, and takes much training beyond school. Those who dedicate their lives to working with animals say that the pleasure of being with animals every day is their reward.

• Federal Veterinarians at Work - Sponsored by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, this site is geared towards older elementary and middle-school children. It explains the duties of a veterinarian who works for the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

• Marine Biologist - This site by the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History profiles a marine biologist who specialized in tropical marine and deep-sea fishes.

• Ornithologist - This site from Yosemite National Park presents a four minute video from a wildlife biologist/ornithologist. She explains what she does in her job and where she works.

• Spotlight on Animal Careers - Sponsored by the ASPCA, this site highlights different animal careers and explains them in language children can understand. Careers include Veterinarian and Feline Behavior Counselor.

• I Want to Work With Marine Mammals - Sponsored by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, this site describes the work available with marine mammals. It profiles various career options and is directed more towards middle-school children.

• San Diego Zoo's Job Profiles for Kids - This site sponsored by the San Diego Zoo offers all sorts of information on jobs available within a zoo, written in language that's easy to understand for kids.

• Zoological Park Careers - Sponsored by Sea World, this site offers many different careers available within a zoological park. Some of these include research, education, and animal care.

• What Is An Entomologist? - This site by the Science Museum of Minnesota explains what an entomologist does. It also explains how caterpillars change into butterflies.

• Wildlife Careers - Sponsored by the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, this site profiles steps to take to obtain a career working with wildlife, and is directed towards older children. Schooling and training necessary is included.

• Marine Mammal Scientist – This site sponsored by Duke University shows children what a marine mammal scientist does. It also explores job opportunities and how to break into the field of marine mammals.

Animal Classification

Swedish scientist Carolus Linnaeus invented the system in the 1700s that we still use to classify animals today. It classifies animals by eight headings: from the largest - kingdom, to phylum, class, order, genus, down to the smallest - species. Animals are grouped into two sub-phylum: vertebrates, those with a backbone, and invertebrates, those without a backbone. Phyla are grouped into classes such as arthropods, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, protozoa, coelenterates, mollusks, annelids, and echinoderms. Then comes order, a group of animals with similar characteristics; family, a group under order with similar characteristics; genus, a cluster that is very similar to each other; and species, the basic unit of animals different from all others. For example, for the animal "human," the kingdom would be animals; the phylum is vertebrates; the class is mammals; the order is primates; the family is hominids; genus is Homo; and species is Homo Sapien.

• Animal Classes - This site explains the various classifications of animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods, with pictures and language kids can understand.

• Animal Bytes - Presented by Sea World, this site explores animal classifications including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, types of fish, echinoderms, arthropods, mollusks, and cnidarians. Once kids click on each classification, it takes them to a listing of species under that classification.

• Critter Catalog - Sponsored by the University of Michigan, this site offers information on common animal classifications found in Michigan. These include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, annelids, mollusks, insects, arachnids, myriapods and crustaceans.

• Animal Index: Vertebrates - This site presents easy to understand information for kids about vertebrates, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, primates, rodents, marsupials, whales, dolphins, and seals. Photos and information on each vertebrate is offered.

• Invertebrates 4 Kids - This site presents information on invertebrates. Their characteristics are given, and a quiz for kids on invertebrates is offered.

• Animal Phyla - Directed towards older children, this site presents the major phyla of animals and explains their differences.

• Animal Diversity Web -Presented by the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, this site offers information on animals within Kingdom Animalia. These include amphibians, arthropods, insects, mammals, birds, bony fishes, mollusks, reptiles, sharks, echinoderms, and others.

• The Hall of Mammals - This site by the University of California at Berkeley offers photos and information about mammals for older children. It discusses different groups under the classification of mammals.

• Amphibians - This site by National Geographic offers much information on all sorts of amphibians. It is directed towards older elementary and middle-school children.

• Animal Games – This interactive website offers games about animals all over the world. These include mammals, birds, fish, insects, and reptiles.

• Reptile Database - This site offers kids information about reptiles including lizards, snakes, turtles, tuataras, crocodiles, and amphisbaenians.

• CityBugs - This site about insects is targeted to children and offers all sorts of information, such as Insect Basics, Top Ten questions about insects, resources for reference, and a Teacher's Corner.

• Birds - This site hosted by National Geographic offers beautiful color images of birds, information to help kids identify birds in their backyards, and features on different types of birds.

• Wildlife Facts: All About Fish - Targeted at grades four through seven, this site presents information on different classes of fish. It also has a "fish verse," a poem about fish to teach kids what it might feel like to be a fish.

• Micro-Organisms: What Are Protozoa? - Sponsored by the Children's University of Manchester, this site explains protozoa in language kids can understand. Information on the four classes of protozoa is given as well.

• Mollusks - Science for Kids! - Directed towards middle school students, this site explains what mollusks are. It offers images and resources for more information.

• Worms - This site presents basic information about worms. It also lists resources and lessons for further exploration about worms.

• Arthropod Museum – Sponsored by Clemson University, this site offers a wealth of information about hundreds of types of insects. Topics include butterflies, beetles, moths, insect defenses, and more.

• Echinoderms - This site offers information and images of echinoderms, which include types of starfish. It is geared towards older children.

• Jellyfish and Other Coelenterates - This site hosted by Scholastic provides information about jellyfish and other animals classified as coelenterates. Characteristics, body structure, reproduction, and more information is covered.

Animal Facts

Who is the fastest animal on land, or in the sea? What is the largest animal in the world? These sites provide interesting and little-known facts about animals, plus some information about where animals live, what their babies look like, and games you can play online about animals.

• World Records in the Animal Kingdom - This site lists articles on various animals that hold records, including "fastest in the sea," "fastest on land," and "largest animal." Video of some of the animals is also provided.

• The World's Largest Animal - This site by Australia Fauna lists the world's largest animal, the blue whale. A photo and facts about the animal are included.

• World's Fastest and Slowest Land Animals - This site provides, in pictures, the world's fastest and slowest land animals, along with their speeds.

• Alex & David's African Safari - This site lists basic facts and information about various animals found in Africa, including lion, elephant, hippo, and baboon.

• Fun Exercise Facts: How Do We Compare to Animals? - This site compares how animals run, jump, and dive to how humans do so.

• Billy Bear 4 Kids: Where Do Animals Live? - This illustrative site shows children where mammals, reptiles, birds and insects live around the world.

• Animal Homes - This website lists various homes for animals, including rock caves, tree homes, ground homes, and hives.

• ZooBorns - This site features cute full-color images of baby animals. Some of these include warthoglets, ocelot kittens, and red wolf pups.

• Match Animals with Their Babies - This game allows kids to match animals with the correct names of their offspring.

• Wild Animal Babies - Sponsored by the South Dakota Division of Wildlife, this site instructs kids to leave wild animal babies alone and treat them with respect.

• Cool Pet Facts - Presented by North Shore Animal League, this site features a list of facts about dogs, cats, and pets in general.

• Fun Pet Facts - Sponsored by PBS Kids GO!, this site lists fun and interesting trivia about pets throughout history.

• Animal Doc - Sponsored by the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, this site features information just for kids about all kinds of animals, including goats, sheep, and domestic pets.

• Switch Zoo – Children can create new animals, build a habitat, and return rescued animals to their homes on this site.