Reptiles, Invertebrates, Vertebrates, Arachnids and Insects Worksheet for 7-Year-Olds

Instructions

1. Read each question carefully.
2. Circle, match, sort, or write your answers as directed.
3. Use the word bank when you need help.
4. Complete the Creature Explorer Challenge at the end.

Learning Goals

You will practice how to:

• Tell the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates.
• Identify reptiles, insects, and arachnids.
• Sort animals into the correct groups.
• Explain one way animals are alike or different.

Word Bank

vertebrate | invertebrate | reptile | insect | arachnid

A vertebrate has a backbone. An invertebrate does not have a backbone.

1. Warm-Up: Backbone or No Backbone?

Write V for vertebrate or I for invertebrate.

1. A dog: _____
2. A spider: _____
3. A snake: _____
4. An earthworm: _____
5. A butterfly: _____
6. A frog: _____

2. Match the Animal Group

Write the correct letter on each line.

1. _____ Reptile
2. _____ Insect
3. _____ Arachnid
4. _____ Vertebrate
5. _____ Invertebrate

• A. An animal without a backbone
• B. An animal with a backbone
• C. An animal such as a snake, turtle, or lizard
• D. An animal with six legs and three body parts
• E. An animal such as a spider or scorpion with eight legs

3. Look Closely at Body Parts

Circle the best answer.

1. How many legs does an insect usually have?

   4 legs 6 legs 8 legs

2. How many legs does an arachnid usually have?

   6 legs 8 legs 10 legs

3. Which animal is a reptile?

   snake butterfly spider

4. Which animal is an arachnid?

   ant scorpion lizard

5. Which animal is an insect?

   turtle bee snake

6. Reptiles are vertebrates because they have a:

   backbone shell only web

4. Sort the Animals

Example: A lizard is a reptile, vertebrate.

Complete the chart. You may use more than one group for some animals.

5. Choose the Correct Animal

Write the animal that fits each clue. Use the word bank.

snake | beetle | spider | turtle | bee

1. I have eight legs and make webs. I am a __.
2. I have six legs and may make honey. I am a __.
3. I crawl on my belly and have scales. I am a __.
4. I have a hard shell and lay eggs. I am a __.
5. I have six legs and a hard outer covering. I am a __.

6. True or False?

Write True or False.

1. _____ All insects have eight legs.
2. _____ Spiders are arachnids.
3. _____ A turtle is a reptile.
4. _____ Invertebrates do not have backbones.
5. _____ A butterfly is a vertebrate.
6. _____ Reptiles are vertebrates.

7. Creature Detective

Read each animal card. Then answer the questions.

Animal Card A: A small animal has six legs, two wings, and three body parts.

1. What group does it belong to? __
2. Is it a vertebrate or an invertebrate? __

Animal Card B: An animal has eight legs and two main body sections. It has no backbone.

3. What group does it belong to? __
4. Is it a vertebrate or an invertebrate? __

Animal Card C: An animal has scales, breathes air, and has a backbone.

5. What group might it belong to? __
6. Is it a vertebrate or an invertebrate? __

8. Draw and Label

Draw one insect in the space below. Label these parts:

• Head
• Thorax
• Abdomen
• Six legs

9. Think Like a Scientist

Answer in a complete sentence.

1. How are insects and arachnids alike?

   ---

2. How are insects and arachnids different?

   ---

3. Name one vertebrate and one invertebrate that you might see near your home.
   Vertebrate: ____ Invertebrate: ____

Optional Challenge

A centipede does not have six legs or eight legs. It has many legs and no backbone.

1. Is a centipede a vertebrate or an invertebrate? ____
2. Is a centipede an insect or an arachnid? ____
3. Explain your answer.

   ---

Answer Key

1. Warm-Up

1. V
2. I
3. V
4. I
5. I
6. V

2. Match the Animal Group

1. C
2. D
3. E
4. B
5. A

3. Look Closely at Body Parts

1. 6 legs
2. 8 legs
3. snake
4. scorpion
5. bee
6. backbone

4. Sort the Animals

5. Choose the Correct Animal

1. spider
2. bee
3. snake
4. turtle
5. beetle

6. True or False?

1. False
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. False
6. True

7. Creature Detective

1. Insect
2. Invertebrate
3. Arachnid
4. Invertebrate
5. Reptile
6. Vertebrate

8. Draw and Label

Answers will vary. The drawing should show an insect with a head, thorax, abdomen, and six legs.

9. Think Like a Scientist

Answers may vary. Sample answers:

1. Both insects and arachnids are invertebrates and have legs.
2. Insects usually have six legs, while arachnids usually have eight legs.
3. Vertebrate: bird. Invertebrate: ant.

Optional Challenge

1. Invertebrate
2. Neither. A centipede is not an insect or an arachnid.
3. Sample answer: A centipede is an invertebrate because it has no backbone. It is neither an insect nor an arachnid because it has many legs, not six or eight.