The Characteristics Of Living Animals In The Linnaean Classification System

An animal is a living thing which varies from a range of different sizes, shapes, forms and cells which are specialized to carry out certain functions (Quinn, 2003). There are certain functions mutual to all living things which are movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion and nutrition (MRS GREN). These living processes are essential characteristics which are used to define species as living organisms (Worcester, 2015). Carl Linnaeus developed a system where animals were amongst one of the broad group in kingdoms, which he then divided into classes and were further identified by a Genus or a species name and this was known as the Linnaean classification system. A genus includes species of individual organisms grouped

Adaptations benefit animals to survive and it can depend on their physical appearance and behaviour. For example, Whales have features which helps them to live in the water, such as their body shape benefits them in swimming and have small fins to help them move fast through the water, whereas, an Eagle has wings to fly, fur to keep them warm and sharp claws for hunting (Kidport, 2012). Therefore, a whale is different in that it lives in the water compared to an eagle on the land. This reinforces the idea that animals are diverse and they are grouped in a way that suits their abilities and survival conditions.

Food are also essential to all species that categorises them amongst three groups of nutrients they eat, thus making it easier for scientists to group species. Animals can be carnivores which enables them to obtain calories and energy by eating meat, such as, wolves. Herbivore organisms eat plants as their source of energy and nutrients, for example, horses. Omnivores are a collective group of animals that receive energy from both plants and animals, for example, chickens. Therefore different living things are exposed to hunting for different types of food (Burchill,