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they need to know if the animal is a mammal or not, if the animal has a backbone or not, there are a lot of things one needs to know to identify an animal, i suggest getting an identification book on the animal(s) you are looking at.

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14y ago
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22h ago

The first thing a scientist does to classify an animal is to observe its physical characteristics and behavior to determine its characteristics and identify its unique features. This information is used to place the animal into a specific group or category based on similarities with other organisms.

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13y ago

Classifying an animal generally starts by looking at more obvious or general charactaristics, and gradually gets more and more specific. A good way to start would be to ask if the animal has a backbone or not. If it does, then we know its in with the vertebrata. If not, then we go through and see what characteristics it has. Scientists often use what are called dichotomous keys in order to classify an organism. It is a tool that is used to weed out what something is not, and leads usually to a good understanding of what something is.

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13y ago

usually the patterns on the skin and or fur also its behavior and aggression toward other animals and any humans but mostly look at the DNA

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12y ago

One way scientists classify an animal species is by researching their genetic makeup.

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Q: What is the first thing a scientist does to classify an animal?
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Continue Learning about Information Science

What do you use to classify things?

Classification is typically done based on shared characteristics or criteria. This can include properties such as size, shape, color, function, or behavior. Various systems and methodologies, such as taxonomies, algorithms, or categorization frameworks, can be employed to classify things.


Why do some scientists classify fungi as plants and other scientists classify them as animals?

Some scientists classify fungi as plants because they share certain characteristics like cell walls and non-motility. Other scientists classify fungi as animals due to their heterotrophic nature, similar to animals, and their ability to store energy as glycogen, like animals do. Ultimately, fungi are placed in their own kingdom, separate from plants and animals, due to their unique characteristics.


The scientific name of a living thing is made up of its genus and names?

species


The scientific name of a non living thing?

A non-living thing does not have a scientific name because scientific names are used to classify and describe living organisms based on their characteristics and relationships. Scientific names are given to species, genera, families, and other taxonomic categories within the living world.


What is a dichotomous key and why is it important?

A dichotomous key is a tool used to identify and classify organisms based on their characteristics through a series of choices with two alternatives at each step. It is important because it provides a systematic way to determine the identity of an organism, helping researchers, scientists, and even amateurs to accurately classify and study different species.

Related questions

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There is no such thing as humane testing on animals no animal on earth should be tested on in the first place.


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How do you classify a living thing?

you would classify a living thing as a bio or and animate object


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The first thing on Earth with working ears. It doesn't take a scientist to hear sound.


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The first thing a forensic scientist looks at to identify a deceased is teeth or facial markings that family members could use to identify the male/female.


What 2 things does a scientist use to identify living things?

One thing they use to identify some animal is by classes


What are the advantages of classifying thing?

They classify things because in each group they have some similarities so its easier to classify them.


Why must you classify living things?

We classify living things to keep track of the branching evolution of each living thing.


Which scientist made the first observations about magnetism 2500 years ago?

i need to know the exact same thing


What was the first thing resembling a rebellion after Jones was expelled in Animal Farm?

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Why do some scientists classify fungi as plants and other scientists classify them as animals?

Some scientists classify fungi as plants because they share certain characteristics like cell walls and non-motility. Other scientists classify fungi as animals due to their heterotrophic nature, similar to animals, and their ability to store energy as glycogen, like animals do. Ultimately, fungi are placed in their own kingdom, separate from plants and animals, due to their unique characteristics.


How do scientist use cladograms?

To show evolutionary relationships based on traits