Animals of the Chordata Phylum
Animals in this phylum all have one thing in common: spinal cords. This bundle of nerves allows a specialized brain to control complex systems of organs. Scientists break this phylum up into 7 classes.
There are three classes of fish. All three classes have gills, scales, and are cold blooded.
The first class is osteichthyes, or bony fish. They have skeletons made of bone.
The third class of fish is agnatha. They have no jaws. Lampreys and hagfish belong in this class. [No photo of those].
Mammals are animals that have hair, drink milk when they're young, breathe through lungs, and have warm blood.
Aves are animals with feathers, warm blood, breathe through lungs, have beaks, and lay eggs.
Reptiles are animals with scales, cold blood, breathe through lungs, and are born on land.
Amphibians are many times confused with reptiles. They are born in water with gills (like a fish), but when they are fully developed they develop lungs and can live on land. Like fish and reptiles, amphibians are cold blooded.
Osteichthyes
Five-lined Skink, juvenile male, Ashmore Heritage Preserve, SC
Eastern Fence Lizard, Ashmore Heritage Preserve, SC