Vertebrates (/ ˈvɜːrtəbrɪt, - ˌbreɪt /), [3] also called craniates, are animals with a vertebral column and a cranium. The vertebral column surrounds and protects the spinal cord, while the …

Dec 15, 2025 · Vertebrates are defined by having backbones, a muscular system with bilaterally paired masses, and a central nervous system partly enclosed within the backbone.

Jun 29, 2022 · There are five main groups of vertebrates: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Vertebrates can be either cold-blooded (ectothermic) or warm-blooded …

Thus, vertebrates refer to animals with a characteristic bony or cartilaginous axial endoskeleton known as the vertebral column, spine, or backbone. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and …

Vertebrates are among the most complex and fascinating organisms on Earth. Characterized by their backbone or vertebral column, they belong to the subphylum Vertebrata within the …

Sep 17, 2012 · What Are Vertebrates? Vertebrates are animals that have backbones inside their bodies. “Vertebrates use their backbones for movement and support,” explains the American …

Vertebrates have a long history on this earth -- more than 500 million years, from the late Cambrian up to today. These first vertebrates lacked jaws, like the living hagfish and lampreys.

Vertebrates, which include fishes, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals, all share a vertebral column, or a chain of bony elements (vertebrae) that run along the dorsal surface from head to …

Aug 17, 2025 · Vertebrates are broadly classified into five major groups: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Each group possesses unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in …

Jul 2, 2025 · Learn about the major groups of vertebrates, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and understand their distinct features such as a backbone, internal …