Vertebrates

Vertebrates are found in nearly every habitat on Earth. Fish live in aquatic environments, amphibians in wetlands and forests, reptiles in deserts and grasslands, birds in skies and trees, and mammals and humans in almost every biome, including oceans and cities. Adaptations like waterproof skin, flight, fur, and gills allow them to survive in diverse environments.
You are a vertebrate! Describe your habitat and list/draw other vertebrates that live around you.

Fish are the most ancient and diverse vertebrates, with over 34,000 known species. They live entirely in water and breathe through gills, which extract oxygen from the water. Most fish are covered in scales and move using fins. Fish are cold-blooded, and their body temperature matches their surroundings. They reproduce mainly by external fertilization, with females laying eggs that males fertilize outside the body. Fish habitats include oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds, and their sizes range from the tiny Paedocypris (8 mm) to the whale shark, which can exceed 12 meters in length.

Draw a small fish and a large fish, and label their main features. Uplaod them to the gallery!

Amphibians include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. There are about 8,000 known species. They are unique because they live part of their lives in water and part on land. Most begin life as aquatic larvae with gills (like tadpoles) and later develop lungs and limbs through metamorphosis. Amphibians have thin, moist skin that allows them to absorb oxygen. They are sensitive to environmental changes, making them important indicators of ecosystem health. Like fish, they are cold-blooded and reproduce in water.

Why do you think amphibians need to live near water? Draw four different types of amphibians and label them.

Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates that include snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles. There are about 11,000 known species. Unlike amphibians, reptiles have dry, scaly skin that prevents water loss, allowing them to live in drier environments. They breathe using lungs and lay leathery or hard-shelled eggs on land. Some, like sea turtles, travel thousands of miles across oceans during their lifetimes.

Can you name one reptile that lives in your country? What do you think helps it survive there? Draw one snake, one turtle, and one crocodile and upload them to the gallery.

Birds of a Feather flock together!

Birds are warm-blooded vertebrates known for their feathers, beaks, and the ability to fly, although not all birds are flyers. There are over 10,000 bird species on Earth. Birds lay hard-shelled eggs and usually build nests to care for their young. Their bones are lightweight and often hollow to help with flight. Birds also have excellent vision and a high metabolic rate. Penguins are an example of flightless birds adapted to cold aquatic environments.

Watch for birds near your home. Which breeds come to your bird feeder? Draw them, label them, and upload them to the gallery.

Mammals are warm-blooded animals that nurse their young with milk produced by mammary glands. They have hair or fur and breathe with lungs. There are around 6,400 species of mammals, including humans. You are a mammal! Most give birth to live young (except monotremes like the platypus and echidna, which lay eggs). Mammals have a broad range of sizes and habitats, from tiny bumblebee bats to giant blue whales. Many mammals form complex social structures and display high levels of intelligence.

Draw yourself, and draw a fish, a cat, and a dog. List three things you have in common with other mammals.

Vertebrates are either cold-blooded (ectothermic) or warm-blooded (endothermic). Cold-blooded animals like fish, amphibians, and reptiles depend on the environment to regulate their body heat. Warm-blooded animals, like birds and mammals, generate internal heat and maintain a constant body temperature. This ability helps them remain active in a wide range of climates. For example, a hummingbird’s body temperature can stay near 40°C (104°F), even in cooler air.

How do you dress differently between summer and winter?