
Scientists think the very first vertebrates evolved around 525 million years ago, but they can’t determine if it was Myllokunmingia or Pikaia gracilens. Try to say those words really fast! So while it feels like most of our planet is covered in vertebrates, only about 5% of all animal species are vertebrates.
All vertebrates have a backbone, an endoskeleton, two pairs of appendages, a skull, and a bilateral symmetry. And the animals in this phylum include mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, birds, and amphibians. Keep in mind that all vertebrates are chordates, but not all chordates are vertebrates!
We hope you and your student(s) enjoyed learning about the animals of this phylum! If you want to learn even more, head over to our website and download one of our many lesson plans about animals, full of activities, worksheets, and more!
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What you will learn in What Are Chordates?:
0:00 Introduction
0:23 The first animals with an internal skeleton
1:12 Characteristics of Phylum Chordata
2:19 Review of the facts
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