Tag: animal diversity - ii (phylum: chordata)

Bird flight is the primary mode of locomotion used by most bird species in which birds take off and fly. Flight assists birds while feeding, breeding, avoiding predators, and migrating. Bird flight is one of the most complex forms of locomotion in the animal kingdom. Some birds, are among the most intelligent animals; several bird species make and use tools, and many social species pass on knowledge across generations, which is considered a form of culture. In cooler weather, rather than increasing their metabolic rate, birds can save energy by using environmental heat to raise their body temperature passively. Birds have evolved the ability to maintain their body temperature at a somewhat lower level during periods of inactivity or in response to food deprivation.

Platypus is a monotreme, a group of mammals that lay eggs, which is a trait shared with reptiles, serving as an evolutionary connecting link.

Amphibians undergo metamorphosis (transformation) from a larval stage (like a tadpole) to an adult form. Mammals do not undergo this type of life-cycle transformation.

Emu, flightless bird of Australia and second largest living bird: the emu is more than 1.5 metres (5 feet) tall and may weigh more than 45 kg (100 pounds). So, the correct option is 'Emu'

Sharks and bony fish are two fish groups. Sharks are cartilaginous fish. They have a cartilaginous skeleton. Bony fish have a skeleton made from calcified bones. Sharks and bony fish belong to the class Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes respectively. This is the difference between sharks and bony fish. Bony fish also have an operculum. The operculum is a bony flap of skin over their gills that protects the gills. It opens and closes to help bony fish breathe when they are not swimming. Bony fish have scales, and most species have a fusiform body design.

Balaenoptera (Whale) and Delphinus (Dolphin) are aquatic mammals. Equus (Horse) and Felis (cat) are terrestrial and Pteropus (Flying fox) is a Prying mammal. So the correct option is A.

Amphibians and mammals have glandular skin, while reptilians and aves (except for preen gland at tail) have non-glandular skin. Hence, (b) is the correct answer, i.e., chameleon and turtle since both are reptiles.

Python is a large and non-poisonous snake. It kills its prey by coiling around and crushing before swallowing it.

Parrot belongs to the Class Aves whereas platypus and kangaroo belong to the Class Mammalia. Both ayes and mammals are homoiotherms, i.e., the temperature of their body remains constant irrespective of the temperature of the environment.