Science glossary film: Vertebrate

Animals with bony spinal columns or backbones, a spinal cord and a skull enclosing the brain and eyes. They include fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Though vertebrates include some of our most familiar animals, they account for only about 1 in 20 of all species on Earth.

They include fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Though vertebrates include some of our most familiar animals, they account for only about 1 in 20 of all species on Earth.