Pawpedia · Animal groups
Vertebrate
Animals with a backbone made of small bones called vertebrae.
What is a vertebrate?
Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish are vertebrates. The backbone holds the body up and protects the nerves.
We often think of vertebrates as the "big" animals, but they are only a small share of all animal species.
Examples in the zoo
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Savanna · Mammal
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
Vulnerable
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Forest & mountain · Bird
Golden eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
Least concern
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Savanna · Reptile
Nile crocodile
Crocodylus niloticus
Least concern
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Rainforest · Amphibian
Red-eyed tree frog
Agalychnis callidryas
Least concern
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Ocean · Fish
Great white shark
Carcharodon carcharias
Vulnerable
Related entries
- InvertebrateAnimals without a backbone: insects, spiders, worms, molluscs and many more.
- MammalWarm-blooded animals with backbones that feed their babies milk and have hair or fur.
- BirdWarm-blooded animals with backbones, feathers and beaks, that lay eggs.
- ReptileCold-blooded animals with backbones and scaly skin; most lay eggs.
- AmphibianCold-blooded animals with backbones and thin, moist skin, that spend part of their lives in water and part on land.
- FishAnimals with backbones that live in water, breathe through gills and swim with fins.