Select the vertebrate.
common loon sea urchin leaf-curling spider fireworm
Hint: Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians are vertebrates.
Vertebrates and invertebrates are both groups of animals.
A vertebrate has a backbone. The backbone is made of many bones in an animal's back. A vertebrate's backbone helps connect the different parts of its body. In the drawings below, each vertebrate's backbone is colored orange.
An invertebrate does not have a backbone. In fact, invertebrates do not have any bones! Some invertebrates have an outer cover on their body called an exoskeleton. Other invertebrates have a soft body.
A sea urchin is an echinoderm. Like other echinoderms, a sea urchin is an invertebrate. It does not have a backbone.
Like other spiders, a leaf-curling spider is an invertebrate. It does not have a backbone. It has an exoskeleton.
A common loon is a bird. Like other birds, a common loon is a vertebrate. It has a backbone.
A fireworm is a worm. Like other worms, a fireworm is an invertebrate. It does not have a backbone. It has a soft body.