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](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/External-Animal-Parts-Reading-1-600x338.jpg)
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](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/External-Animal-Parts-Reading-1-600x338.jpg)
Animals can have claws that help them to survive.
![armadillo digging in the ground with claws](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/External-Animal-Parts-Reading-2-600x338.jpg)
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](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/External-Animal-Parts-Reading-2-600x338.jpg)
Animals use their tails for specific purposes.
![monkey hanging from a tree with its tail](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/External-Animal-Parts-Reading-3-600x338.jpg)
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](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/External-Animal-Parts-Reading-3-600x338.jpg)
Animal coverings are also external parts.
![closeup view of a bird's feathers](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/External-Animal-Parts-Reading-4-600x338.jpg)
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](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/External-Animal-Parts-Reading-4-600x338.jpg)
Animal coverings serve a specific purpose.
![a red cab crawls in the sand](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/External-Animal-Parts-Reading-5-600x338.jpg)
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](https://www.generationgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/External-Animal-Parts-Reading-5-600x338.jpg)