What Is a Vertebrate? | Learn about the animals of the Vertebrata subphylum

Did you know that mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, and amphibians all have quite a few traits in common? In this video for kids, you and your students will learn all about the different animals that belong to a group we call vertebrates. When you think of vertebrates, you probably think of the presence of a backbone. But there are even more common traits among these unique animals.

There are five key characteristics that distinguish vertebrates from other animals. They have backbones, skulls, endoskeletons, bilateral symmetry, and two pairs of appendages. These traits allow their muscles to attach to points that can be used for movement. All vertebrates also have a heart and kidneys.

Vertebrates further classify into seven classes based on their anatomical features. These classes are mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, bony fish, cartilaginous fish, and jawless fish. Mammals are endothermic so they can regulate their body temperature. Birds have feathers and toothless beaks. They also lay hard-shelled eggs. Reptiles also lay eggs. Reptiles include snakes and crocodiles. Amphibians are a little unique in that they undergo metamorphosis as they go from birth to adulthood.

The fish group divides into three classes: bony fish, cartilaginous fish, and jawless fish. Bony fish, like seahorses, have a skeleton made of bone rather than cartilage. Bony fish is the largest class of vertebrates. Sharks and rays are examples of cartilaginous fish. Primitive fish like hagfish belong to the jawless fish category.

We hope you and your student(s) enjoyed learning about this small group of animals! If you want to learn even more, head over to our website and download one of our many lesson plans about different kinds of animals, full of activities, worksheets, and more!

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What you will learn in What Is a Vertebrate?:
0:00 Introduction to backboned animals
0:36 Characteristics of vertebrates
1:35 Mammals, birds, and reptiles
2:41 Amphibians and fish
3:46 Review of the facts

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