Vertebrate and Invertebrate Animals

The animals have been divided into two groups based on the
presence or absence of a backbone.
(1) Vertebrate - animals with a backbone
Fish , reptiles , birds , amphibians and mammals are different
sub-groups of vertebrates - they all have internal skeletons and
backbones.
 (2) Invertebrates - animals without a backbone. Sponges,
corals, worms, insects, spiders and crabs are all sub-
groups of the invertebrate group - they do not have a
backbone.
Invertebrates, animals with no internal spine, are different than
all other animals because they have their skeleton on the
outside! This exoskeleton makes them hard on the outside and
means they can only grow bigger if they shed their old
exoskeleton and grow a new one that's bigger.

Invertebrate animals with exoskeleton

Invertebrates, animals with no internal spine, are different than all other animals
because they have their skeleton on the outside! This exoskeleton makes them hard on
the outside and means they can only grow bigger if they shed their old exoskeleton
and grow a new one that's bigger.

Invertebrates - animals without a backbone.

Vertebrates - animals with a backbone.

The animals have been divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of a backbone.
The backbone is the observable feature that defines whether the animal is a vertebrate or an
invertebrate.

These groups are divided into smaller 'sub-groups'.

Sponges, corals, worms, insects, spiders and crabs are all sub-groups of the invertebrate group -
they do not have a backbone.

Fish, reptiles, birds, amphibians and mammals are different sub-groups of vertebrates - they all
have internal skeletons and backbones