Question

Create three classification systems (model after Figure 20.5 in the textbook), one for each of the following 3 organisms: Dog, house cat, skunk (HINTS: only include Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species; you can use Wikipedia or some other online source to search for the classification levels for these organisms). After doing this, explain the following (100-150 words): is the skunk more closely related to cats, or dogs? How did you determine your answer?

Answer 1

Classification of the Dog - Canis lupus

Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Chordata

Class - Mammalia

Order - Carnivora

Family - Canidae

Genus - Canis

Species - lupus

Classification of the House cat - Felis catus

Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Chordata

Class - Mammalia

Order - Carnivora

Family - Felidae

Genus - Felis

Species -  catus

Classification of the Skunk - Mephitis mephitis

Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Chordata

Class - Mammalia

Order - Carnivora

Family - Mephitidae

Genus - Mephitis

Species - mephitis

Skunk looks like cat.Skunk have elongated bodies relatively short,well muscled legs and long front claws for digging.Most common fur color is black and white.They quickly get the idea and will respond with a sort of cat-like rearing up and coming down on their front feet.So they are more closely related to Cat.They spray a liquid with a strong,unpleasant smell.