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Vertebrates

Vertebrates are animals that have a spine (backbone) inside their body. You have one and so you are a vertebrate. Other organisms, like spiders and snails, that don't have a backbone are called invertebrates.

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Watch: What are vertebrates?

Discover what a vertebrate is with this clip.

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The main groups of vertebrates

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 5, , Mammals: Lions, humans and dolphins Mammals breathe through their lungs, are warm-blooded, give birth to live babies and have hair or fur.
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Differences and similarities

Image caption,
You and I have a backbone so we're vertebrates.

Animals can look and behave very differently from each other.

  • Some live on land, others can fly and some live in water.

  • Some eat plants and some hunt other animals for their food. Some are large and others much smaller.

But they all have a spine which makes them vertebrates, just like you!

Image caption,
You and I have a backbone so we're vertebrates.
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Activity 1: Tap and find

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Activity 2: Quiz

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Activity 3: Odd one out

Have a look at these three animals. Which one is the odd one out to you? Write down your answer in a couple of sentences, or explain your answer to a friend.

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Play fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art, computing and modern languages.

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More on Animals including humans

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