Books in Classifying Living Things series

This series explains the concept and need for classification and explores the key features and characteristics of each classification group. The books explain how living things within a classification group can be linked by key aspects such as behaviour, life cycle, appearance and structure. They start with an introduction to classification - how classification helps us to group animals and plants, the systems, such as kingdoms, and the use of scientific and common names. The books then progress into exploring the specifics of a particular class and provide examples from significant orders. The series also looks at examples which may appear to belong to one group, but in fact belong to another.

What makes a mammal a mammal? How is a lion different from a dolphin? What is a primate? Classifying Living Things investigates how and why we group animals. Each book focuses on a particular class of living things, looking at the key characteristics that set its members apart from those of other classes. Discover how classes of living things have evolved, and how species have adapted to suit their environments. Find out why certain animals may show some characteristics of a particular class, but actually belong to another. ‘Classifying Mammals’ looks at the amazing class of furry, milk-drinking animals. Find out how mammals are grouped into orders and how each one is different from the rest. From aardvarks to zebras, from giant elephants to tiny shrews, discover what makes mammals so special.