The Characteristics ofVertebrates
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 regulatetheir own body temperature which allows them to live in almost every climate onearth.
3.Have feathers
4.Lay eggs with hard, waterproof shells. The parent birds incubate the eggs untilthey 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 cannotregulate their own body heat, so they depend on warmth from sunlight to becomewarm and active. If they get too hot, they have to find shade or a burrow to helpthem 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 cannotregulate their own body heat, so they depend on warmth from sunlight to becomewarm and active. If they get too hot, they have to find shade or a burrow to helpthem cool down.
3.Breathe through their skin.
4.Go through metamorphosis. Young amphibians hatch from eggs, but do not looklike 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.
