Classification – What is it and how does it work?

Classification

Classification is a way of identifying different species, such as: Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles. Scientists believe there are over 10 MILLION species on earth. Humans classify our species by sorting them based on similarity’s and differences. This makes it a lot easier for us to identify them. The man who discovered classification, is a Swedish scientist, named Carl Linnaeus. He was born in 23rd of May 1707. He died on the 10th January 1778 in the Linnaeus Museum, the home of his studies.

But what really are the similarities and differences of the wonderful species on our Planet.

How to recognise a difference or a similarity

Taxonomists explore how evolution and classifying works. They study the 8 levels:

Eukarya

Animalia

Chordata

Mammalia

Carnivora

Canidae

Canis

Lupus.

Every time a new level is found, the amount of species lowers. This narrows it down to ONE species, which is the one that is the final decision. This is a way of discovering a new species and how to classify it.

 

Differences

All animals have differences, and they are even the most recognisable! For example, Birds have different names (Which is a difference), and most birds have feathers (Which is a similarity). Let’s look at another example. Tigers (Which are Mammals) are warm blooded and give birth to live young, which they feed from their milk. Lions (Which are also Mammals) are warm blooded and give birth to live young, which they feed from their milk. It’s as easy as that, find a similarity between the two or more animals, and sort them into their category’s. But that’s just a basic way of doing it. Due to the fact that EVERY ANIMAL IN THE WORLD has a difference, you can sort them like that. A Emu is a bird, and an Ostrich is a bird. Yes, they are both birds, but are very different. Ostriches are usually seen birth a black, feathery body, a long, tall neck and a very quick pair of legs. Emu’s are usually seen with a brownish rough body and a short neck.

So, you may be asking, what are the similarities. Well, there are many!

Similarities

There are many similarities that taxonomists have discovered. Colours, habitats and other features are all associated with this type of science. Rabbits and Hares are different, but look VERY similar. They are both part of the rabbit family, and both mostly live in the wild, but can be a domestic pet as well. It’s as easy as finding a difference! But still, it’s not all about the looks and the way they live, it can happen by the TINIEST little thing about them, that makes them different. Let’s look at another example: Turtles, and Tortoise. Turtles, which can be found underwater, and one of the most recognisable animals, which is why people mistake a Tortoise to a Turtle. The reason is because they both have a similar shell. They also both have similar names. But the difference is one lives on land and one lives on water.

What have you learned?

So, in conclusion, you have learnt about the person who made classification, why we use it today, and how to use it. Overall, classification is one of the most interesting but unique things about science.

An informative, and beautifully presented blog on classification. Well done, Leo. CR

Written By 16leo

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