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 cranium protects the …

Oct 28, 2025 · They have backbones, from which they derive their name. The vertebrates are also characterized by a muscular system consisting primarily of bilaterally paired masses and a central …

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 diverse …

Mar 17, 2025 · Vertebrates are a diverse group of animals characterized by having backbones, internal skeletons, well-developed brains, and bilateral symmetry. They belong to the phylum Chordata and …

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 have adapted to nearly every habitat, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains. This article explores their evolution, classification, characteristics, and importance, providing a …

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 (endothermic). …

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 Museum of …

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 mammals are all …

Jul 23, 2025 · Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone or vertebrae. Vertebrata examples include reptiles, humans, birds, fish, mammals, and amphibians. Vertebrata are also known as craniata …