6

Science
Quarter 2 – Module 4
Animals: Characteristics of
Vertebrates

CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
 4

Science
Quarter 2 – Module 4:
Animals: Characteristics of
Vertebrate
Science – Grade 6
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 4: Animals: Characteristics of Vertebrates
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writers: Nancy N. Torres, Judy C. Villanueva, Jamicah B. Barcenal,
Juliemar D. Lestimoso
Editors: Rovel R. Salcedo, Ma. Ana C. Ebon
Reviewers: Marilou D. Aribas, Ana Maria M. Espende, Eleah Joy T. Poneles, Ester I.
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E-mail Address: deped6@deped.gov.ph
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the lesson about animals. The scope of this module is used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary
level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the
course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with
the textbook you are now using.

This module is about:

• Describing the distinguishing characteristics of each group of
vertebrates
• Classifying each group of vertebrates
• Listing examples of each group of vertebrates

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of each group of vertebrates
2. Classify each group of vertebrates
3. List examples of each group of vertebrates

What I Know

Directions: Match the characteristics of vertebrates in column A with their

classifications in column B. Write the letters of the correct answer in
your Science journal.
A B
1. They have mammary gland to feed their young. A. birds
2. They have moist skin and can live on land and in B. amphibians
3. They have dry scaly skin. C. mammals
4. They have beak and wings used in flying. D. fish
5. They have gills and fins and they live in water. E. reptiles

1 CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
Directions: Identify the classification of animals by writing mammals, amphibians,
fish, birds, or reptiles on the blanks provided. Write your answers in
your Science journal.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

2 CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
 Lesson
Animals: Characteristics of
1 Vertebrates
Animals can be found anywhere in our environment: in the sea, grassland,
forests, ponds, sanctuary, and even in our homes. These animals in different
ecosystem and habitat are classified as vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrates
are animals with backbones and have varying body parts used in walking,
swimming, flying, climbing, and hopping. They eat grass, meat, insects, and seeds
as their food.

What’s In

Direction: Choose the letters of the correct answer and write your answers in your
Science journal.

1. Which of the following animals can be found in the locality?

A. C.

B. D.

3 CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
2. Animals are classified as vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrates are
animals with backbones while invertebrates are animals without backbones.
Directions: Identify the following animals whether vertebrates and
invertebrates. Write your answers in your Science journal.

A. butterfly -
B. carabao -
C. chicken -
D. snail -
E. praying mantis -

3. To what group of animals does the illustration belong?

A. vertebrates C. invertebrates

B. arthropods D. insects

4. Which is the distinguishing characteristic of

invertebrates?
A. They have backbones.
B. They have spinal cord.
C. They have no backbones.
D. They have brain.

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 What’s New

Read the poem and answer the questions that follow.

Vertebrates

Have you ever seen, animals that swim?

They have gills, fins, and scales
Spotted in the sea, oceans, and rivers
These are fish like tilapia, swordfish, and milkfish.

Have you ever seen animals that crawl?

They have dry-scaly skin just like snakes, lizards, and turtles
Some have four legs, others have none
These are reptiles hatched from eggs.

Have you ever seen four-legged animals that hop and jump?
They have fur, some have hairs, others have skin
They give birth, feed their young with their mammary glands
They are mammals like dogs, cats, and goats.

Have you ever seen animals that fly? They have wings, beak, and claws
Living in trees and forests, building their nests in trunks
They are birds like parrots, owls, and doves

Have you ever seen animals that croak?

They have smooth scaly skin living on land and in water
They love to hop and eat insects at night
These are amphibians just like salamanders, toads, and frogs.

By: Judy C. Villanueva

Directions: Complete the missing letters to form the correct answer. Write your
answers in your Science journal.
1. What is common among animals that swim?
G___s
2. What characteristic is common among reptiles?
C__w_
3. What is common among parrots, owls, and doves?
W___s
4. What is common among mammals like dogs, cats, and goats?
F__
5. What is common among amphibians?
S _ _ _ t h s _ _ l _ skin

5 CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
 What is It

Animals found in the locality are classified into vertebrates and

invertebrates. Vertebrates are animals with backbones that give shape and support
their body. Bones are predominant feature in the body of vertebral animals that
serve as protection of their internal organs. The presence of bones in the animal’s
body helps the animals to walk, jump, crawl, and swim.

Animals can be oviparous and viviparous. Viviparous are animals that are
born alive by their parents such as dogs, carabao, and cats, while oviparous
animals are those that are hatched from egg such as chicken, duck, and snake.

Vertebrates are group into the following:

Mammals

Mammals are warm- blooded

animals that are born alive or viviparous.
They have hair or fur as their body
covering and mammary gland to feed their
young with their milk.

Figure 2: Mammals

6 CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
 Fish
Fish are cold-blooded animals
covered with scales. They have tails and
fins that help them swim. They are
animals hatched from egg and breathe
through their gills.

Figure 3: Fish

Birds

Birds are warm-blooded animals

hatched from egg or oviparous. They have a
pair of limbs for hopping and a pair of wings
used in flying. There are birds who have
wings but can’t fly. A beak or bill is used in
getting food as well as for protecting
themselves from their enemies.

Figure 4: Bird

Amphibians
Amphibians are cold-blooded animals
hatched from egg. They spend part of their
lives in water and part on land. They have
moist and scaleless skin. Some examples
are salamander, newt, toad and caecilian.

Figure 5: Amphibian

Reptiles

Reptiles are cold-blooded

vertebrates hatched from egg. They
have dry scaly skin and some have
shells. Some examples are turtles,
chameleon, snake, lizard, and
gecko.

Figure 6: Reptiles

7 CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
 What’s More

Directions: Classify the following vertebrates in their proper column. Write your
answer in your Science journal.
bangus maya frog
lizard cat galonggong
snake swamp frog gecko “tuko”
bat stingray crocodile
tilapia toad carabao

Mammals Amphibians Reptiles Birds Fishes

8 CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
 What I Have Learned

Directions: Fill in each blank with the correct word. Write the answers in your
Science journal.

I learned that…

Vertebrates are classified as, ____________________, __________________,

_______________________, ______________________, and _______________________.

The _____________________are animals that are born alive and have hair or
fur as their body covering. The _____________________ are animals that have
scales, fins, and gills and live in water.

While _________________________are animals that have dry scaly skin and

hatched from egg. The _____________________are animals that have moist skin
and can live both on land and in water and ________________________are animals
with beak or bills and have wings.

What I Can Do

Directions: Answer the following questions. Write your answer in your Science
Journal.
1. Frogs are useful animals that eat insects that are harmful to humans and
other animals. People living in rural area exploit them by consuming them as
food. Since frog population is already diminishing in number, in what way
can you be of help to remind the people of the importance of frogs?

2. Mammals such as dogs and cats are cared as pet. They are furry animals
that usually have parasitic ticks and fleas in their bodies. These parasites
harm their host and often cause health problems to animals. How will you
get rid of these pests that threaten your pet?

9 CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
 Assessment

Directions: Write the correct classification of vertebrates as illustrated. Write the

answers in your journal.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

10 CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
 6. All given set of animals are classified in one vertebrate group, which is NOT?
I. gecko, snake, crocodile, iguana
II. dolphin, cat, horse, sheep
III. ostrich, bat, penguin, duck
IV. toad, newt, salamander, frog
A. I B. II C. III D. IV

7. Goats, cats, dogs, and rabbits are mammals have characteristics that differ
from other vertebrates. Which of the following features does not describe a
mammal?
A. Mammals have mammary glands.
B. Mammals have scales and feathers.
C. Mammals have fur or hair.
D. Mammals are warm-blooded animals.

8. In what way do amphibians differ from reptiles?

A. Amphibians have backbones.
B. Amphibians can live both on land and in water.
C. Amphibians can crawl.
D. Amphibians are oviparous.

9. Ostriches are classified as birds but cannot fly. Why?

A. They have thick feathers.
B. They have heavy weight.
C. They are afraid of heights.
D. They prefer to be in land.

10. Some animals were taken from their natural habitat by hunters or people
and were being sold in pet shops. Which of these will you do in order to
minimize these activities that endanger different species of animals?
A. Help the hunters to find a pet shop to sell their catch.
B. Report illegal activity to a Forest Ranger or authority.
C. Buy the animal being sold to be your pet.
D. Take care of the animal for a while and then sold it.

Additional Activities

Directions: Make an inventory of vertebrates found in your community and suggest

ways of protecting these animals. Write your answer in your Science
journal.

Example:

Name of Animals Ways of Protecting these Animals

1.
2.
3.

11 CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4 12
What I Know What's In What’s New
1. C 1. C 1. gills
2. B 2. A. invertebrates 2. crawl
3. E B. vertebrates 3. wings
4. A C. vertebrates 4. fur
5. D D. invertebrates 5. smooth scaly
6. mammals E. invertebrates
7. birds 3. C
8. reptiles 4. C
9. amphibians
10. fishes
What’s More What I Have Assessment
Mammals: bat, cat, Learned 1. Fish
carabao mammals, reptiles, 2. Amphibian
Amphibians: amphibians, birds and 3. Mammal
swamp frog, toad, frog fish (in any order) 4. Bird
Reptiles: -Mammals 5. Reptile
lizard, snake, crocodile, -Fishes 6. C
gecko -Reptiles 7. B
Birds: -Amphibians 8. B
Maya -Birds 9. B
Fish: 10.B
bangus, tilapia,
What I Have Additional Activities
stingray, galunggong
Learned Answer may vary
Answer may vary
Answer Key
References
Curriculum Guide in Science 6 MTIIe-f-3

Padpad, Evelyn Castante 2017. The New Science Links Worktext in Science and
Technology 6. 856 Nicanor Reyes, Sr. St, Manila Philippines. Rex Book Store, INC.

Tan, Conchita. Science for Daily Use Textbook 5. 16 Horizon St., Rim View Park,
SSS Village, Marikina City: JICA Enterprises

Vengco, Lilia G. Et al 1999. Science for Active Learning Textbook 5,

927 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City

Daniel, Lucy Et al 1994. Merrill Life Science Textbook, Glencoe Division,

Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, 936 Eastwind Drive, Westerville, OH 43081

Rabago, Lilia Malabonga Et al 1996. Science and Technology 2, Biology. G. Araneta

St. Avenue, Cor. Ma. Clara St., Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City

Rafferty, John R. britanica.com. 5 Groups of Vertebrates

ck12.org. Classification of Vertebrates – Advanced

Baker, Rhys, Sept. 17, 2012. owlcation.com. What Are The 5 Main Vertebrate
Groups?

davidnelson.md, Nov. 20, 2009. The 5 Classes of Vertebrates, PO Box 7908,

Berkeley, CA 94707

13 CO_Q2_Science6_ Module 4
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