FACTS ABOUT ANIMALS

1. 1.Number of Species: There are over 8.7 million known species of animals on Earth, ranging from tiny insects to massive whales.

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3. 2.Animalia Kingdom: Animals belong to the Kingdom Animalia, which is one of the five major kingdoms of living organisms.

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5. 3.No Backbone: Most animals are invertebrates, meaning they lack a backbone. In fact, about 97% of animal species are invertebrates, including insects, mollusks, and arachnids.

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7. 4.Vertebrates: Vertebrates are animals with backbones. They include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

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9. 5.Largest Animal: The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) holds the title of the largest animal on Earth, both in terms of size and weight.

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11. 6.Fastest Animal: The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is the fastest animal, reaching speeds of up to 240 miles per hour (386 kilometers per hour) when diving to catch prey.

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13. 7.Longest Migration: The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) undertakes the longest migration of any animal. It travels from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back each year, covering a distance of around 44,000 miles (71,000 kilometers).