Vertebrates

By: Usama Ahmad

What are vertebrates?

Vertebrates are any animals that have a backbone. The five categories of vertebrates are:

• Fishes (trout, halibut)• Amphibians (frog, salamander)• Reptiles (crocodile, snake)• Birds (sparrow, pigeon)• Mammals (human, horse)

Fishes

Fish have:• Slimy, bony scales (for protection)• Gills (for breathing)• Fins (for swimming)• Thousands of eggsFish are also ectothermic (cold-blooded),

which means that they depend on the outside temperature for their body temperature.

Amphibians

Amphibians have:• Slimy skin• Fish tails when young • (for swimming)

Four legs when adult (for moving)

• Hundreds of eggsAmphibians, like fish, are cold-blooded. Most

amphibians go through metamorphosis, where they develop lungs and legs.

Reptiles

Reptiles have:• Dry, leathery scales• Small brains• Lots of eggsReptiles are also amniotes, meaning

that their eggs have multiple protective layers.

Birds

Birds have:• Two wings to fly• Feathers• No teeth (beaks instead)• A dozen or so eggsBirds are the only category of

vertebrates who have feathers instead of hair or scales.

Mammals

Mammals have:• Dry hair (for warmth)• Four limbs• Don’t lay eggs, live birth• Milk provided for youngMammals are the only group of

vertebrates with REAL hair. Our hair is dead cords of keratin, which is what our nails are made of.

Some strange animals …

In the Amazon Rainforest, there is a very small fish called a “toothpick fish” because of its small and slender shape. It lives very deep in the river and finds its victims by traces of fish pee and ammonia. Then, when the victim opens its gills to breath, it rushes in and extends sharp spines to stay in place. Then, it swells up with the hosts blood and leaves.

More strange animals …

In China, there is an amphibian known as the “Chinese Giant Salamander”, a nocturnal animal that eats fish and crabs among other things. They have special sensors in their head which can detect the tiniest motion made by prey. These sensors make up for the salamanders poor vision.

Even more …

The hummingbird is the only bird that can fly upside-down, backwards, forwards, hover and sideways! They are the smallest bird and the smallest animal with a backbone. They weigh from 2 to 20 grams. Their heart can beat up to 1,260 times a second!

Bibliography

Pictures:• http://www.swish-designs.co.uk/blog/wp-content/

uploads/2011/02/animated_tropical_fish_pack3-000001.png

• http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AsW-lOVBuzE/TNQe8VvuNJI/AAAAAAAAE48/F-wMIu_9kx4/s1600/vertebrates_divider%5B1%5D.jpg

• http://visual.merriam-webster.com/images/animal-kingdom/reptiles/examples-reptiles_3.jpg

Information:• http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/f

ish/zoom.weml• http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/

amphibians/zoom.weml• http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Amph

ibians-Reptiles-and-Fish.aspx• http://www.damninteresting.net/content/candiru.j

pg

Bibliography

Pictures:• http://visual.merriam-webster.com/images/animal

-kingdom/amphibians/examples-amphibians_2.jpg

• http://ecologyadventure2.edublogs.org/files/2011/04/1birds-1qc7dd2.gif

• http://www.gregscott.com/rwscott/rwscott.hummingbird.jpg

Information:• http://animals.about.com/od/reptiles/a/

tenfactsreptiles.htm• http://www.worldofhummingbirds.com/facts.php