Minibeast Dichotomous Key worksheet - Free Printable

Problem Description:

The task involves classifying six different minibeasts (small animals) using a decision tree provided in the image. The goal is to determine which minibeast belongs in each box based on specific characteristics such as having wings, legs, a furry body, or a shell.

Minibeasts Provided:

1. Slug (no legs, no shell)
2. Butterfly (wings, no legs)
3. Woodlouse (legs, no shell)
4. Honeybee (wings, legs)
5. Spider (legs, no wings)
6. Snail (shell, no legs)

Decision Tree Structure:

1. Has this minibeast got wings?
- Yes: Proceed to "Has it got 8 legs?"
- No: Proceed to "Has it got legs?"

2. Has it got 8 legs?
- Yes: Place the minibeast here.
- No: Place the minibeast here.

3. Has it got legs?
- Yes: Proceed to "Has it got a shell?"
- No: Proceed to "Has it got a furry body?"

4. Has it got a shell?
- Yes: Place the minibeast here.
- No: Place the minibeast here.

5. Has it got a furry body?
- Yes: Place the minibeast here.
- No: Place the minibeast here.

Step-by-Step Solution:

#### 1. Slug:
- Has wings? No → Go to "Has legs?"
- Has legs? No → Go to "Has a furry body?"
- Has a furry body? No → Place the slug in the final "No" box.

#### 2. Butterfly:
- Has wings? Yes → Go to "Has 8 legs?"
- Has 8 legs? No → Place the butterfly in the "No" box under "Has 8 legs?"

#### 3. Woodlouse:
- Has wings? No → Go to "Has legs?"
- Has legs? Yes → Go to "Has a shell?"
- Has a shell? No → Place the woodlouse in the "No" box under "Has a shell?"

#### 4. Honeybee:
- Has wings? Yes → Go to "Has 8 legs?"
- Has 8 legs? No → Place the honeybee in the "No" box under "Has 8 legs?"

#### 5. Spider:
- Has wings? No → Go to "Has legs?"
- Has legs? Yes → Go to "Has a shell?"
- Has a shell? No → Place the spider in the "No" box under "Has a shell?"

#### 6. Snail:
- Has wings? No → Go to "Has legs?"
- Has legs? No → Go to "Has a furry body?"
- Has a furry body? No → Place the snail in the final "No" box.

Final Classification:

- Top-left box (Furry body): None of the given minibeasts have a furry body, so this box remains empty.
- Top-right box (Wings and 8 legs): None of the given minibeasts have both wings and 8 legs, so this box remains empty.
- Middle-left box (Wings but not 8 legs): Butterfly, Honeybee
- Middle-right box (Legs but no shell): Woodlouse, Spider
- Bottom-left box (Shell): Snail
- Bottom-right box (No legs, no shell, no furry body): Slug

Final Answer:

\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{c|c}
\text{Box} & \text{Minibeast} \\
\hline
\text{Top-left (Furry body)} & \text{None} \\
\hline
\text{Top-right (Wings and 8 legs)} & \text{None} \\
\hline
\text{Middle-left (Wings but not 8 legs)} & \text{Butterfly, Honeybee} \\
\hline
\text{Middle-right (Legs but no shell)} & \text{Woodlouse, Spider} \\
\hline
\text{Bottom-left (Shell)} & \text{Snail} \\
\hline
\text{Bottom-right (No legs, no shell, no furry body)} & \text{Slug} \\
\end{array}
}
\]