Although these words sound scientific, they are commonly used to describe animal families or behavior. Herbivores are animals, such as deer, who eat plants. Carnivores are flesh-eating animals, like lions. Omnivores , such as bears and humans, eat both meat and plants.
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, such as worms and insects.
Vertebrates are animals with backbones. Reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals are all vertebrates. Marsupials are families of mammals, such as kangaroos and opossums, whose females carry their young in an external pouch. Nocturnal animals, such as owls, are active at night. Diurnal animals, such as squirrels, are awake during the day.