vertebrate

Everyday

An animal that has a backbone (a spine), like fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on classifying animals, pupils sort animals into vertebrates (with a backbone) and invertebrates (without one). The five main groups of vertebrates are fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Humans are vertebrates. Phrases: vertebrate animals, vertebrates and invertebrates.

Examples

• A dog is a vertebrate because it has a backbone. tree →
• Fish, birds and frogs are all vertebrates. tree →
• Humans are vertebrates. tree →
• A snail is not a vertebrate. tree →
• Sort these animals into vertebrates and invertebrates. tree →
• Snakes are vertebrates with lots of bones in their spine. tree →

Note

Countable: a vertebrate, vertebrates. The bones of the backbone are called "vertebrae". The opposite is "invertebrate" (no backbone), like insects, worms, spiders and jellyfish. Fact: most animal species on Earth are invertebrates, not vertebrates.