Compare and contrast animals using the provided illustrations and writing prompts.

Let’s solve this step by step.

We are given three animals: an elephant, a cat, and a bear. We need to compare them using the table provided.

The table has three columns:
1. “They are just alike because they are called vertebrates.” → This means we list things all three have in common (since they’re all vertebrates).
2. “How they differ” → Here we list how each animal is different from the others — one point per animal.
3. The third column is blank but seems to be for more differences or maybe examples? But looking at the note at the bottom (“E.g., bones, limbs, fur/hair, cover etc.”), it looks like the second column is where we write how they differ, and the first column is what they share.

Wait — actually, looking again:

The table says:
- Left column: “They are just alike because they are called vertebrates.” → So here we write 3 things ALL THREE animals share (because they’re vertebrates).
- Middle column: “How they differ” → Here we write 3 points — one for each animal — showing how that animal is different from the others.
- Right column: Blank lines — probably also for differences? But the example note says “E.g., bones, limbs, fur/hair, cover etc.” which sounds like features you’d use to compare.

Actually, let me re-read the instruction:
“Complete the blanks to show how the following differ from each other”

So the main goal is to show how they DIFFER. But the left column says “they are just alike because...” — so maybe we start with similarities, then go to differences.

Looking at the layout:

There are 3 rows under “They are just alike...” → so 3 shared traits.

Then under “How they differ”, there are 3 boxes — one for each animal? Or 3 total differences?

Actually, looking at the image structure (even though I can’t describe it), based on standard worksheets like this:

Typically:
- First column: List 3 things all three animals have in common (as vertebrates).
- Second column: For each animal, list one way it’s different from the others — so 3 entries total, one per animal.
- Third column: Maybe additional differences? But the note says “E.g., bones, limbs, fur/hair, cover etc.” — which are categories of comparison.

But wait — the rightmost column has 3 blank lines too. And the middle column has 3 sections labeled with arrows pointing to each animal? Actually, no — the arrows point down from each animal to the middle column.

Ah! I think I got it:

From each animal picture, there’s an arrow pointing down to a box in the “How they differ” section. So:

- Under the elephant → one box to write how the elephant differs
- Under the cat → one box to write how the cat differs
- Under the bear → one box to write how the bear differs

And the left column is for 3 things they all share.

The right column might be extra space or for another category — but since the instruction says “show how the following differ from each other”, and there are 3 animals, likely we need 3 differences — one per animal.

Also, the note says: “E.g., bones, limbs, fur/hair, cover etc.” — meaning we can talk about their body coverings, number of limbs, size, habitat, diet, etc.

Let’s proceed.

Step 1: What do all three have in common? (Vertebrates)

All three are mammals, so they share these traits:
1. They all have backbones (that’s what vertebrate means).
2. They all have hair or fur (even elephants have some sparse hair).
3. They all give birth to live young (not eggs) and feed their babies milk.

(Alternative: They all breathe air, have four limbs, warm-blooded — but let’s pick the most obvious.)

Step 2: How does each differ?

Elephant:
- Very large size
- Has a trunk and big ears
- Thick gray skin, almost no fur

Cat:
- Small size
- Has soft fur, retractable claws
- Carnivore, hunts small prey

Bear:
- Large but not as big as elephant
- Thick fur, strong claws
- Omnivore, eats plants and meat

We need to pick one clear difference per animal that sets it apart from the other two.

For elephant: It’s the only one with a trunk.
For cat: It’s the only one that’s small and has retractable claws.
For bear: It’s the only one that hibernates (or has thick fur for cold climates).

But let’s keep it simple for a student.

Final plan:

Left column (similarities):
1. All have backbones.
2. All have hair/fur (even if little on elephant).
3. All are mammals — give birth to live young and nurse them.

Middle column (differences — one per animal):

Under elephant: “Has a long trunk and very large ears; skin is thick and mostly hairless.”

Under cat: “Small size, soft fur, and has retractable claws for hunting.”

Under bear: “Large body with thick fur, strong claws for digging, and can hibernate in winter.”

Right column: Since it’s blank and the note gives examples, maybe it’s for more differences or categories. But the worksheet may expect us to fill only the required parts. Looking back, the instruction says “complete the blanks” — and there are blanks in all three columns.

Wait — actually, in the original problem, the right column has 3 blank lines with no label. Maybe it’s for “examples of vertebrate features” or something else.

But the note says: “E.g., bones, limbs, fur/hair, cover etc.” — which matches the types of things we’d put in the difference columns.

Perhaps the right column is meant to be filled with specific features we used to compare — like “size”, “body covering”, “special features”.

To be safe, let’s assume:

- Left column: 3 similarities
- Middle column: 3 differences (one per animal)
- Right column: 3 categories of comparison (like “size”, “covering”, “special feature”)

That makes sense with the note.

So:

Left column (similarities):
1. All have backbones.
2. All have hair or fur.
3. All are warm-blooded mammals.

Middle column (how they differ — one per animal):
- Elephant: Largest size; has a trunk; thick gray skin with little hair.
- Cat: Smallest size; soft fur; retractable claws.
- Bear: Medium-large size; thick brown/black fur; strong non-retractable claws.

Right column (categories of difference):
1. Size
2. Body covering
3. Special features (trunk, claws, etc.)

This fits the note: “bones, limbs, fur/hair, cover etc.” — we’re using size, covering, special features.

Now, let’s write it neatly.

Final Answer:

They are just alike because they are called vertebrates.
1. All have backbones.
2. All have hair or fur.
3. All are warm-blooded and give birth to live young.

How they differ
- Elephant: Very large; has a trunk; thick skin with little hair.
- Cat: Small; soft fur; retractable claws.
- Bear: Large but smaller than elephant; thick fur; strong claws for digging.

Additional Comparison Categories (right column):
1. Size
2. Body covering
3. Unique physical features

(Note: If the right column is not meant for categories but for more differences, you could add:)
- Elephant: Lives in herds; eats plants only.
- Cat: Solitary hunter; eats meat.
- Bear: Eats both plants and meat; hibernates.

But based on typical worksheet design, the right column is likely for the *types* of differences (categories), as suggested by the note.

Since the user didn't specify which columns to fill, and the instruction is to "complete the blanks", I'll provide the most logical completion.

In many such worksheets, the right column is left for students to add more differences or examples. But to match the note ("E.g., bones, limbs, fur/hair, cover etc."), it's probably for listing the features being compared.

I think the safest answer is to fill:

Left: 3 similarities
Middle: 3 differences (one per animal)
Right: 3 feature categories (size, covering, special trait)

So here's the final completed table content:

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They are just alike because they are called vertebrates.
1. All have a backbone.
2. All have hair or fur on their bodies.
3. All are mammals that give birth to live babies and feed them milk.

How they differ
→ Elephant: Has a long trunk and huge ears; skin is thick and nearly hairless.
→ Cat: Small body; soft fur; has sharp retractable claws.
→ Bear: Large and strong; thick fur coat; has powerful non-retractable claws.

Comparison Features (right column)
1. Size
2. Body covering (fur/skin)
3. Special body parts (trunk, claws, etc.)

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This should complete the worksheet accurately and simply for a student.