Vertebrates are a huge group of animals with one key feature in common: a backbone! This backbone, also called a spinal column or vertebral column, is like a bony support system running along their back.

Here are some examples of vertebrates:

• Fish: From the tiniest minnow to the giant whale shark, all fish are vertebrates.
• Amphibians: Frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts – they all have backbones too!
• Reptiles: Snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles – these scaly creatures are also part of the vertebrate club.
• Birds: With their feathery wings and beaks, birds are definitely vertebrates as well.
• Mammals: We humans, along with cats, dogs, elephants, and whales, all have backbones!

EtymologyEtymology is the study of the origin and history of words. It’s like detective work, tracing how words have changed over time and moved between languages. Think of it like this: • Words have a long history, just like old… Read More (Word OriginsWhat is an origin? An origin is the starting point, the place or source where something begins. It’s like the very first chapter in the story of that thing. Examples: • The origin of a river: Where the river first… Read More)

• Vertebrate comes from the Latin word “vertebra,” which means “joint” or “turning point.”
• This makes sense because a backbone is made up of many small bones (vertebrae) that connect and allow for some movement.

Here are some additional points to remember:

• Not all animals have backbones. Animals without backbones are called invertebratesInvertebrates are animals that lack a backbone, also known as a spinal column or vertebral column. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from the tiniest insects to the giant squid. Here are some examples of invertebrates: •… Read More, which include insects, spiders, jellyfish, and worms.
• The backbone provides support and structure for a vertebrate’s body and protects its spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that carries messages from the brain.
• Having a backbone allows vertebrates to come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny fish to the enormous blue whale!