Vertebrates are characterized by having a spinal column, a body divided into head, trunk, and extremities, and well-developed nervous and sense systems. The main groups of vertebrates are fish, amphibians, mammals, birds, and reptiles. Fish have scales, breathe through gills, and use fins to swim. Amphibians have aquatic young with gills and lungs as adults, while reptiles breathe air through lungs and have scales or hard skin. Birds are distinguished by their feathers and wings, while mammals usually have hair or fur and are oviparous or placental.

1. VERTEBRATES
CHARACTERISTICS AND
GROUPS

2. MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
• They have got a
spinal column or a
internal esqueleton.
• Their bodies are
divided : head ,trunk
and extremities.
• Their nervous system
and sense organs are
very well developed .

3. GROUPS
• Fish
• Amphibians
• Mammals
• Birds
• Reptile

4. FISH
• Body covered with
scales.
• Breathe with gills
• They use their fins to
swim.

5. AMPHIBIANS
• Young are aquatic animals with gills.
• Have got smooth skin and lungs to
breathe air when they become adults.
• Also cutaneous respiration.
• Oviparous animals.
• Most are carnivores.
• Main groups : Frogs and toads –
salamanders and newts.

6. REPTILES
• Have got hard scales and lungs to
breathe air.
• By crawling on four legs .
• Snake are different because they haven´t
got legs .

7. BIRDS
• Birds have got feathers .Have got four
extremities.Two wings and two wings.
• All birds have got lungs.

8. MAMMALS
• Have usually got some hair .
• Have got lots of thick hair called fur.
• Are oviparous
• Are three groups..monotremes,marsupials
and placental mammals.