The Phylum chart below allows identification of classified species using scientific naming, which may be useful for identifying species by description.
We have also sorted life into Common Language categories which many users find to be a faster and easier identification method.
If you prefer Common Language, Use the “ANIMALIA” drop down menu under “FISH AND WILDLIFE; KINGDOMS” to locate life by using common terms such as Fish, Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, etc.
| PHYLUM | DEFINITION | COMMON |
| Acanthocephala | Thorny headed worms | Thorny-headed worms |
| Acoelomorpha | Without gut | Acoels |
| Annelida | Little ring | Annelids |
| Arthropoda | Jointed foot | Arthropods |
| Brachiopoda | Arm foot | Lamp shells |
| Bryozoa | Moss animals | Moss animals, sea mats |
| Chaetognatha | Longhair jaw | Arrow worms |
| Chordata | With a cord | Chordates |
| Cnidaria | Stinging nettle | Anemones / Jellyfish |
| Ctenophora | Comb bearer | Comb jellies |
| Cycliophora | Wheel carrying | Symbion |
| Echinodermata | Spiny skin | Echinoderms |
| Entoprocta | Inside anus | Goblet worm |
| Gastrotricha | Hair stomach | Hairybacks |
| Gnathostomulida | Jaw orifice | Jaw worms |
| Hemichordata | Half cord | Acorn worms, pterobranchs |
| Kinorhyncha | Motion snout | Mud dragons |
| Loricifera | Corset bearer | Brush heads |
| Micrognathozoa | Tiny jaw animals | |
| Mollusca | Soft | Mollusks / molluscs |
| Nematoda | Thread like | Round worms |
| Nematomorpha | Thread form | Horsehair worms |
| Nemertea | Sea nymph | Ribbon worms |
| Onychophora | Claw bearer | Velvet worms |
| Orthonectida | Straight swim | |
| Phoronida | Zeus’s mistress | Horseshoe worms |
| Placozoa | Plate animals | |
| Platyhelminthes | Flat worm | Flatworms |
| Porifera | Pore bearer | Sponges |
| Priapulida | Little Priapus | |
| Rhombozoa | Lozenge animal | |
| Rotifera | Wheel bearer | Rotifers |
| Sipuncula | Small tube | Peanut worms |
| Tardigrada | Slow step | Water bears |
| Xenacoelomorpha | Strange flatworm | |