Vertebrates
Vertebrates are animals that have a spine (backbone) inside their body. You have one and so you are a vertebrate. Other organisms, like spiders and snails, that don't have a backbone are called invertebrates.
Watch: What are vertebrates?
Discover what a vertebrate is with this clip.
This is Blob. Blob can't do much, like lift his own head.
He doesn't even have a head.
If Blob had been born with a spine, or backbone, he would have been a vertebrate.
If we give Blob some legs and a head then he can start to move about.
There are lots of vertebrates in the animal kingdom.
They include dogs, lions, ducks, frogs, and of course, YOU!
The main groups of vertebrates
Image caption, Mammals: Lions, humans and dolphins
Mammals breathe through their lungs, are warm-blooded, give birth to live babies and have hair or fur.
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Differences and similarities
Animals can look and behave very differently from each other.
Some live on land, others can fly and some live in water.
Some eat plants and some hunt other animals for their food. Some are large and others much smaller.
But they all have a spine which makes them vertebrates, just like you!
Activity 1: Tap and find
Activity 2: Quiz
Activity 3: Odd one out
Have a look at these three animals. Which one is the odd one out to you? Write down your answer in a couple of sentences, or explain your answer to a friend.
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