Vertebrates

&
Invertebrates
Vertebrates

•Animals that are vertebrates

are simply animals with a
backbone.

•Vertebrates have an
endoskeleton
–It offers support and protects
the soft parts of the animal.
 Vertebrates
Vertebrates can either be ectotherms or endotherms.
Ectotherms (cold-blooded)
•Body temperature changes to match their
surroundings.

•Endotherms (warm-blooded)
•Regulate their body temperature so that it
remains constant
 Vertebrates

•The chordate phylum is divided into

classes.
–fish
–amphibians
–reptiles
–birds
–mammals
 Vertebrates
This chart shows the vertebrates organized into classes.

Click on a box to learn more about that class of vertebrates!

When you are done, click the link at the bottom left of the screen to learn about invertebrates!

Vertebrates

Fish Amphibians Reptiles

Birds Mammals
Click here to go
to Invertebrates
 Fish
• Fish are cold-blooded animals.
– This means that their blood
temperature changes with the
temperature of the surrounding water.
• Most fish live close to the shore in
water that is less than 600 feet
deep.
– In the ocean, the deeper the water,
the dimmer the light.
– Many fish who live at 2000 feet or
deeper glow in the dark.
 Fish
• All fish have gills. These gills absorb
oxygen from the water and pass it along
to the bloodstream.

• A fishes scales are called armor because

they protect it. A slimy substance
moistens the scales. This protects the
fish from infection and helps the fish slip
through the water faster.
 Fish
• Fish stay afloat because they have swim
bladders. By changing the amount of air in its
bladder, a fish never rises or sinks, but stays
balanced.
 Fish
•Fins move the fish forward, steer it, and help the
fish to keep its balance.
•The pectoral and pelvic fins are used for balance, steering,
and braking.
•The dorsal fin keeps the fish from rolling over and works
along with the anal fin.
•The tail (caudal fin) provides power, thrushing the fish
forward.
 Amphibians
• These animals have
smooth skin
• Most spend at least part Salamander

of their life in water.

• Amphibians are cold-
blooded (hibernate in
winter). newts

• They usually have three

life stages: egg, larva,
adult (metamorphosis).
• Includes: Frogs, Toads,
Salamanders, and Newts.
Ever wonder what the difference between a frog and a toad was?
Click here to find out!
toad
 Reptiles

• These animals have dry, scaly

skin.
• They are cold-blooded
(hibernate in winter). Iguana

• Some live in the water, but most

are adapted to life on land.
• Most reptiles lay soft-shelled Turtle

eggs, but some bear live young.

• Includes: Lizards, Snakes,
Turtles, and Crocodiles.
Fast Fact! Crocodile
Did you know that snakes smell with their tongue!
 Birds

• Birds are warm-

blooded.
• They have hollow
bones and feathers. Raptor

• Most can fly at least

short distances.
• Birds are born from
hard-shelled eggs.
Gull

• Includes: Raptors,
Gulls, Songbirds, and
Fowl.
Fowl
 Mammals
• These animals usually have
hair/fur.
• They give birth to live young
and feed their young with
milk. Rodent

• Have the most complex brains

and nervous systems of any
animal on earth. Bat

• Mammals are warm-blooded.

• Includes: Rodents, Hoofed
animals, Marsupials, Bats,
Rabbits, Weasels, Raccoons, Dog
Bears, Dogs, and Cats.
 Invertebrates

• Invertebrates are animals without a

backbone.
• 97% of all animals are invertebrates!
• They are divided into different groups or
phyla (plural of phylums).
• Scientists look at something called
symmetry to help classify invertebrates.
 Invertebrates
Radial symmetry: body parts are arranged around
in a circle around a central point (starfish).

Bilateral symmetry: have two sides that will

match if you draw a line down the center of their
body (lobster).

Asymetric: these animals have no definite shape

at all (sponges).
 Invertebrates
Click on a box to learn more about that class of invertebrates!
When you are done, click the man at the bottom left of the screen to move on!

Cnidarian Sponges Arthropods Mollusks

Invertebrates

Click below when you

are done learning about
invertebrates:

Echinoderms Annelids Flatworms

 Cnidarians
• Have radial symmetry

• Sometimes they have stinging

tentacles around their mouths that
they use to catch food.

Polyp
Jellyfish
 Sponges

• Asymmetric bodies

• They filter food out of the water

as it passes through them.
 Roundworms

• These outnumber every other

animal on earth.
• They can be predators, parasites,
or decomposers.
 Arthropods

Crustaceans • Have jointed body parts

Arachnids • Bilateral symmetry Butterfly

Insects
• Segmented bodies
• Lobster, house fly,
beetle, butterflies,
Beetle

spiders

House Fly
Tarantula

Lobster
 Arthropods
Crustaceans
• Crustaceans live mostly in the ocean or other waters.
• Most commonly known crustaceans are the crab and
Crustaceans lobster.
Arachnids • Crustaceans have a hard, external shell which protects
their body.
Insects • Crustaceans have a head and abdomen. The head has
antennae which are part of their sensory system. The
abdomen includes the heart, digestive system and
reproductive system.
• The abdomen also has appendages, such as legs, for
crawling and swimming. Many crustaceans also have
claws that help with crawling and eating.
 Arthropods
Arachnids

• Arachnids are a type of

Crustaceans arthropod. You know many of them
Arachnids as spiders.
Insects • Like other arthropods, the
arachnids have a hard exoskeleton
and jointed appendages for
walking.
• Unlike other arthropods,
arachnids do not have antennae.
• Common arachnids are the spider,
scorpions, ticks and mites.
 Arthropods
Insects
• Insects are the largest group of
Crustaceans arthropods. There are over 800,000
different types of insects.
Arachnids
• The insect's head has a pair of
Insects antennae, and a pair of compound
eyes.
• Compound eyes are different from
human eyes which have a single lens
for each eye. Compound eyes have
many lenses for each eye. For
example, the fly has about 4,000
lenses in a single eye. This provides
them with very good eyesight.
 Flatworms

• Long, flat bodies

• Bilateral symmetry Planaria

• Most are parasites that invade

other creatures and live off of
them.
• Planaria, tapeworms, liver flukes

Tapeworm Liver Flukes

 Annelids

• Segmented worms
• Ringed segments
• Earthworms, leeches

Earthworm
Leech
 Mollusks

• Soft bodies Oyster

• Protective shell
• Land mollusks include snails and slugs
and have lungs.
• Water mollusks include oysters,
mussels, clams, squids, and octopuses
which use gills to breathe.

Snail

Octopus
 Echinoderms

• Spiny skin Sand Dollar

• Radial symmetry
• Thousands of tube-like feet
• Starfish, sea urchin, sand dollar, and
sea cucumber.

Sea Urchin Sea Cucumber

Starfish