VERTEBRATE DIVERSITY

Do you know the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates? Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone or spine, which helps support their bodies and protect their nervous system. They include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, and they can live almost everywhere on Earth—from deep oceans to icy mountains. 

One weird fact is that some vertebrates, like sharks, do not have bones at all; their skeletons are made of cartilage! Another strange fact is that an octopus is actually an invertebrate, but with a very strong internal support plate, and it is smart enough to solve puzzles and escape tanks. Vertebrates also come in amazing sizes, from tiny frogs smaller than a coin to the enormous blue whale, the largest animal ever known to exist.