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Read About External Animal Parts

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light tarantula walking on hand with its legs
EXTERNAL ANIMAL PARTS  DEFINITION

External parts of an animal are any part on the outside of it. Some examples include tails, legs, claws, skin and beaks. Animals use these parts to help them survive.

To better understand how external animal parts work…

EXTERNAL ANIMAL PARTS  DEFINITION. External parts of an animal are any part on the outside of it. Some examples include tails, legs, claws, skin and beaks. Animals use these parts to help them survive. To better understand how external animal parts work…

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!

Animals can have different numbers of legs.

dark tarantula walking on hand with its legs

Spiders have 8 legs, while insects have 6. Many animals have 4 legs such as dogs, cows, lions and bears. Animals use their legs to move, climb and jump.

Animals can have different numbers of legs. Spiders have 8 legs, while insects have 6. Many animals have 4 legs such as dogs, cows, lions and bears. Animals use their legs to move, climb and jump.
dark tarantula walking on hand with its legs

Animals can have claws that help them to survive.

armadillo digging in the ground with claws

Animal claws can be used for a variety of things. Some animals use claws to dig for food, like the armadillo. Others use claws to dig homes or even to defend themselves.

Animals can have claws that help them to survive. Animal claws can be used for a variety of things. Some animals use claws to dig for food, like the armadillo. Others use claws to dig homes or even to defend themselves.
armadillo digging in the ground with claws

Animals use their tails for specific purposes.

monkey hanging from a tree with its tail

Monkeys use their tails to hang from trees. The tail keeps their hands free so they can get food or swing from branch to branch. Many different kinds of animals have tails.

Animals use their tails for specific purposes. Monkeys use their tails to hang from trees. The tail keeps their hands free so they can get food or swing from branch to branch. Many different kinds of animals have tails.
monkey hanging from a tree with its tail

Animal coverings are also external parts.

closeup view of a bird's feathers

Some animals have feathers, like birds, to help them fly. Other animals have fur, like a polar bear. The fur keeps them warm. Some animals, like humans, have skin that is soft.

Animal coverings are also external parts. Some animals have feathers, like birds, to help them fly. Other animals have fur, like a polar bear. The fur keeps them warm. Some animals, like humans, have skin that is soft.
closeup view of a bird's feathers

Animal coverings serve a specific purpose.

a red cab crawls in the sand

A crab has a hard shell to protect its body. Zebras have patterns on their fur to blend in with other zebras and avoid predators. Frogs use their skin to help them breathe.

Animal coverings serve a specific purpose. A crab has a hard shell to protect its body. Zebras have patterns on their fur to blend in with other zebras and avoid predators. Frogs use their skin to help them breathe.
a red cab crawls in the sand

EXTERNAL ANIMAL PARTS VOCABULARY

External Part
Any part of an animal that is on the outside of it.
Structure
Anything made of parts held together in a specific way.
Survive
To stay alive.
Legs
Animal structures that help them move. Many animal legs are long and touch the ground.
Claws
Hard structures attached to the fingers and toes of some animals that help them dig, scratch and defend themselves.
Tail
An animal structure that is usually long and attached to the backmost part of an animal. The tail of a monkey can help it hang from trees.
The outer covering of a living thing.
The human hand is made of four fingers and one thumb. Your thumb is special because it is positioned opposite the other fingers and it can move independently. This allows you to more easily handle things like tools.

EXTERNAL ANIMAL PARTS QUESTIONS

How does an animal use its tail to help it survive?

Tails help animals swim, balance and can even protect them from predators, like the lizard, who can make its tail fall off while it runs away.

What are some things that claws are used for?

Claws can be used for digging to get food or to build a home. Animals can also use them for self-defense.

What do animals use their legs for?

Animals use their legs to move, climb, dig, run and even jump like a frog.

What are some different coverings of animals?

Some animals have skin, others have feathers, fur, scales or hard shells.

What are some useful functions of an animal’s covering?

Patterns on an animal’s skin can help it camouflage and hide. Crabs have a hard shell that protects them from predators. Fur can keep animals warm.

Why are opposable thumbs useful?

Opposable thumbs help humans and primates grab things. They also help open bottles and allow people to easily use scissors.
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