VERTEBRATES

VERTEBRATES
 To list the main
features used to
place organisms
into groups within
OBJECTIVE the animal
kingdom, limited to
vertebrates :mamm
als, birds, reptiles,
Amphibians, fish
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WHO AM I
I have a spine but no book,
I can leap but I’m not a hook.
With bones inside, I stand upright,
From tiny mouse to eagle's flight.
What am I?
SCAN TO
READ
There are currently around 65,000 known species of vertebrate animals. This sounds like a lot, but vertebrates are only around 3% of all the
animals on Earth. Most of the animal species are invertebrates.
What are some vertebrate animals?Fish - Fish are animals that live in the water. They have gills that allow them to breathe under water. Different
species of fish may live in fresh water or salt water. Some examples of fish include the brook trout, the great white shark, lionfish, and the
swordfish.

Birds - Birds are animals that have feathers, wings, and lay eggs. Many, but not all, birds can fly. Some examples of bird species include the bald
eagle, the cardinal, the flamingo, ostriches, and the red-tailed hawk.

Mammals - Mammals are warm-blooded animals that nurse their young with milk and have fur or hair.
Some examples of mammals include humans, dolphins, giraffes, horses, and spotted hyenas.

Amphibians - Amphibians are cold-blooded animals. They start out their lives living in the water with gills just like fish. Later they develop lungs and
can move to dry land. Amphibians include frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders.

Reptiles - Reptiles are cold-blooded animals which lay eggs. Their skin is covered with hard and dry scales. Reptile species include alligators,
crocodiles, snakes, lizards, and turtles.

Cold-blooded and Warm-blooded

Vertebrate animals can be either warm-blooded or cold-blooded. A cold-blooded animal cannot maintain a constant body temperature. The
temperature of their body is determined by the outside surroundings. Cold-blooded animals will move around during the day between the shade
and the sun to warm up or cool down. Cold-blooded animals are ectothermic, which means outside heat. Reptiles, amphibians, and fish are all
cold-blooded.
 Warm-blooded animals are able to regulate their internal
temperature. They can sweat or pant to cool off and have fur
and feathers to help keep them warm. Warm-blooded animals
are called endothermic, meaning "heat inside". Only birds and
mammals are warm-blooded.
Most fish have skeletons made of bone, they are called bony
Big and Small
There are reptiles that live on every continent except Antarctica. fish. Other fish have skeletons made of cartilage. These include
sharks and rays.
The smallest vertebrate is thought to be a tiny frog called the
Paedophryne amauensis. It only grows to about 0.3 inches long.
The largest is the blue whale, which can grow to over 100 feet
long and 400,000 pounds.
Fun Facts about VertebratesThe only mammals that lay eggs
are monotremes such as the platypus and spiny anteater.

The shortest childhood of any mammal is the hooded seal. They

Frogs can breathe through their skin. Vertebrates tend to be much more intelligent than invertebrates.
are considered adults when they are just four days old.
 Fish Warm-blooded animals with feathers and wings, many can fly. Examples:
( Piscean ) Bald eagle, cardinal, flamingo.

 Birds( aves) Cold-blooded animals with gills initially, later developing lungs. Examples: Frogs,
toads, newts.

 Mammals Cold-blooded animals with hard, dry scales. Examples: Alligators, crocodiles,
snakes.

 Amphibians Animals that live in water with gills to breathe underwater. Examples: Brook trout,
great white shark, swordfish.

 Reptiles Warm-blooded animals that nurse their young with milk, have fur or hair.
Examples: Humans, dolphins, giraffes.
Mini Plenary:
• Which group of vertebrates spend part of
their life in water and next part on land?
• Crocodiles live in both land and water,
but they are not an amphibian. Why?
• Why are bats considered as mammals
• Mini plenary answers
• 1. vertebrates
• 2. amphibians.
• Think & answer
• 1. Amphibians can and do respire through their thin, moist skin.
Crocodile and turtle have quite thick skin, not suitable for
respiration. Therefore though these animals live both on the
land as well as in water, they are not amphibians, but are
reptiles.
• 2. Bats are mammals because they give birth to their young
ones instead of laying eggs as in birds, they have mammary
glands and have hair and fur on their body.
https://wordwall.net/resource/59441449/biology/igcse-
vertebrate-and-invertebrate-animals
•. Differentiate between vertebrates and invertebrates.
•2.list the different classes of vertebrates
•
•Bony fish: Have scaly skin, no external ear or
feathers, and no specialized glands like mammals.
•Amphibians: Have smooth, moist skin without
scales, no external ear or feathers, and no
specialized glands.
•Reptiles: Have scaly skin, no external ear, and no
feathers, but no specialized glands like mammals.
•Mammals: Do not have scaly skin or feathers but
do have external ears and specialized glands like
mammary glands.
Discuss how the adaptations of three different vertebrate species help them
survive in their respective environments. Consider how these adaptations
impact their behavior, diet, and interaction with other species.

Identify the species: Choose three different vertebrates (e.g., a bird, a fish,
and a mammal).
Describe the adaptation: Explain a specific adaptation for each species.
Explain the impact: Discuss how each adaptation helps the species survive,
including aspects like:
Behavior: How does the adaptation influence the animal's actions?
Diet: How does it affect what and how the animal eats?
Interactions: How does it alter the way the animal interacts with other
species (e.g., predators, prey, competitors)?
Bird: Peregrine Falcon
•Adaptation: The peregrine falcon has an incredible diving speed (over 320 km/h or
200 mph) due to its streamlined body, long pointed wings, and strong muscular
frame.
•Impact on Survival:
• Behavior: This adaptation allows the falcon to dive from great heights and
catch prey mid-air, making it one of the fastest birds in the world.
• Diet: The falcon primarily feeds on other birds like pigeons and ducks. Its
speed enables it to surprise and catch fast-flying prey.
• Interactions: As a top predator, the peregrine falcon has few natural
predators. Its speed and sharp talons make it efficient at hunting, reducing
competition with other species that may rely on slower or smaller prey.
2. Fish: Anglerfish
•Adaptation: The anglerfish has a bioluminescent lure that hangs from its head,
attracting prey in the deep, dark ocean.
•Impact on Survival:
• Behavior: In the dark, abyssal zone where it lives, food is scarce. The anglerfish
uses its glowing lure to entice smaller fish toward its mouth.
• Diet: This adaptation allows the anglerfish to capture prey easily by tricking them
into approaching. It conserves energy by waiting for prey to come to it rather than
actively hunting.
• Interactions: This adaptation helps the anglerfish avoid predators by blending
into the dark environment. Its strategy is to remain motionless and attract prey
rather than engage in competitive interactions for food.
• . Mammal: Polar Bear
• Adaptation: Polar bears have thick layers of fat and dense fur, which insulate
them against the extreme cold of the Arctic environment.
• Impact on Survival:
• Behavior: This insulation allows polar bears to swim in icy waters and hunt on land
without losing body heat. They also have large paws, which help them walk on snow and
ice.
• Diet: Polar bears are carnivorous and primarily hunt seals. Their insulation allows them to
wait by ice holes for long periods, ensuring a successful hunt in their harsh environment.
• Interactions: As apex predators, polar bears are at the top of the food chain and have
little competition from other species. However, their thick fur and fat also help them defend
against the cold when interacting with other polar bears or fending off threats.
• These adaptations ensure that each species can thrive in its environment,
optimizing behavior, diet, and interactions to maximize survival.
•1. An organism has dry scales covering its body. To which vertebrate group does it
belong?
•A amphibian
•B fish
•C mammal
•D reptile
•2.Many snakes that belong to viper family are unusual in that they give birth to live
young. This is the characteristic of which vertebrate group?
•A amphibian
•B bony
•C mammal
•D birds
•3.Name the vertebrate group that contains lizards.
•4.Name the vertebrate group that contains bats.
Home - learning

1. How do autotrophs and

heterotrophs obtain their
energy? Give examples of
each.
• 2. What adaptations do
desert plants have that allow
them to survive in arid
environments?
• 3. How do the respiratory
systems of fish and mammals
differ, and how are these
differences related to their
environments?
• Compare between the different
classes of vertebrates and find more
examples for each.
Reflection

• State the features of the 5

kingdom of classification
• State the features of
I can eukaryotes
• State the features of
prokaryotes