The Characteristics of

Vertebrates

Mammals

Birds

• All birds:

1. Are vertebrates (which means they have a backbone or spine)

2. Are endothermic. Also known as “warm-blooded,” endothermic animals regulate their own body temperature which allows them to live in almost every climate on earth.

3. Have feathers

4. Lay eggs with hard, waterproof shells. The parent birds incubate the eggs until they hatch, and care for their young.

Reptiles

• All reptiles:

1. Are vertebrates (which means they have a backbone or spine)

2. Are ectothermic. Also known as “cold-blooded,” ectothermic animals cannot regulate their own body heat, so they depend on warmth from sunlight to become warm and active. If they get too hot, they have to find shade or a burrow to help them cool down.

3. Are covered with scales

4. Have lungs for breathing

Amphibians

• All amphibians:

1. Are vertebrates (which means they have a backbone or spine)

2. Are ectothermic. Also known as “cold-blooded,” ectothermic animals cannot regulate their own body heat, so they depend on warmth from sunlight to become warm and active. If they get too hot, they have to find shade or a burrow to help them cool down.

3. Breathe through their skin.

4. Go through metamorphosis. Young amphibians hatch from eggs, but do not look like their parents. As they develop, their body shape changes.

Fish

• All Fish:

1. Fish breathe using gills.

2. They are cold blooded.

3. Fish are covered in scales.

4. Live in Water.

5. Lay many eggs.