VERTEBRATES AND INVERTEBRATES

Vertebrates

Animals are classified into two groups: vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrates are animals with backbones. The species of vertebrates include birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

Characteristics of Vertebrates

The most special characteristic of vertebrate animals is having vertebrae. Vertebrae are the small bones in your back that make up your spine. The vertebrae connect together by joints to form the backbone.

The backbone does more than help connect our arms to our feet. In fact, it helps it protects our spinal cord. It is very important to protect the spinal cord, because it is what connects our brain to the rest of our body. The spinal cord and brain work together to form our central nervous system.

Invertebrates

Have you ever wondered if all animals on Earth have the same body structures? For example, do insects such as caterpillars and bees have backbones like mammals.

Characteristics of Invertebrates

An animal that does not have a backbone or a vertebral column is an invertebrate. In the animal kingdom, they are actually the largest group. They make up 97% of all animals on the planet.