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Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish
You cannot care for an animal well without knowing what kind of animal it is. Different animal groups have vastly different requirements for heat, moisture, light, and feed, and what is right for one animal can be directly harmful to another.
| Group | Characteristic | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Mammals | Hardback feeds live young suckles offspring | Horses, rabbits, apes, rodents |
| Birds | Feathers beak lays eggs regulates own body temperature | Parrots, chickens, birds of prey |
| Reptiles | Scales, usually lay eggs, warm up from outside | Hoses, snakes, turtles |
| Padding | Damp skin, lives often in both water and land | Frogs, salamanders |
| Fish | Lives in water, has gills, warms up from outside | Aquarium fish, goldfish |
A crucial difference is whether the animal regulates its own body temperature. Mammals and birds are warm-blooded (endothermic) and maintain a stable body temperature from within. Reptiles, amphibians and fish are cold-blooded (ectothermic) and depend on the environment to get warm enough to function.
When you know the animal's group and natural habitat you can conclude much about its needs even for species you don't know beforehand. It lets you look things up correctly ask the right questions and avoid mistakes that cost the animal its health.
“If you know the animal's original habitat, you know half of its care.”