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 …

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). …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Vertebrates are among the most recognizable organisms of the animal kingdom (Figure 1). More than 62,000 vertebrate species have been identified. The vertebrate species now living represent only a …

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.

Aug 14, 2025 · Vertebrates are a diverse group of animals found across nearly every environment on Earth, from fish in oceans to birds soaring above and mammals, including humans, on land.