Classification of animals

Classification of animals starts by identifying animals and to knowing more about them which helps to become familiar with the manner they are classified. Animals are arranged into group by biologists on the basis of traits which they share with other animals and their genetic relationships with each other. The orderly manner in which animals are classified forms the basis of the field of study called taxonomy. Modern scientific taxonomy is based on physical characteristics such as teeth, skin, fur, feather, or scale patterns, size, or the structure of body parts and as well as the genetic characteristics. Some key characteristics are basic to taxonomic descriptions.

In classification of animals the most important categories in this hierarchical system, from higher and more inclusive to lower and more specific, are kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. A kingdom in classification is one of the highest primary divisions into which all objects are placed. All animals are part of the animal Kingdom. Each kingdom is further divided into smaller units called phyla (the plural form of phylum).

The chordates are further divided into classes such as Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, and Amphibia. Members of each class have characteristics which they share with other members of their class, but which generally are not found in members of the other classes. The classes are divided into families. Families are then subdivided into genera (the plural form of genus); and genera are subdivided into species. A family consist more than one genus, and each genus usually includes more than one species. Animals that share the same genus are very similar and probably evolved from a common ancestor. The species is the most fundamental unit in classification and contains a single type of animal.

The more learning one get involved about a species, the more its classification may change. No single classification is final, because additional studies may show new relationships among animals that were not clear using previous evidence. Scientific taxonomy is dynamic. Although some groups of animals are more subject to changes than others, new discoveries can lead to changes in their classification even among the best known groups of animals.