Page 21 - One Million Things: Animal Life - The Incredible Visual Guide

Fins propel, stabilize, BONY FISH
Lizard
and steer the fish
Fish such as salmon and cod have bony
skeletons. Like most fish, their skeletons
give them a streamlined shape. Muscles
attached to the flexible backbone
bend the body from side to side to
propel the fish
through water.

Atlantic
cod
REPTILE
Long, very flexible A typical reptile, such as a lizard, has
backbone with a flexible backbone, a long tail, and
many paired ribs limbs that project sideways from the
body. Other reptiles have very Tapered skull Dogfish
different skeletons. Snakes reduces drag
lack limbs and have a as fish swims
through water Tail fin
very long backbone.
propels fish
Turtles have a bony forward
external shell.

Python CARTILAGINOUS FISH
Sharks (like this dogfish), rays, and
skates are called cartilaginous fish
Fused bones because they have an internal
of skull skeleton made from cartilage—the
protect brain
same tough, flexible material that
supports the human nose and ear.

Bullfrog

Rhesus monkey
Curved ribs
form protective
Long hind cage around
limbs and feet heart and lungs
for jumping
and swimming

Joints between
bones give
skeleton
flexibility

MAMMAL
Bat
Elongated Most mammals walk on four legs.
arm and
hand bones A strong, curved backbone provides
support wing the main axis of the body, and
supports the skull. Fore and hind
limbs project vertically downward,
acting as flexible struts to keep the
body off the ground.

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