What are five classes of vertebrates?

1. Fish:

- Examples: sharks, bony fish, rays

- Characteristics: aquatic, possess gills, ectothermic

2. Amphibians:

- Examples: frogs, salamanders, toads

- Characteristics: semi-aquatic, transition from gills to lungs during life cycle, ectothermic, smooth and moist skin

3. Reptiles:

- Examples: snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodilians

- Characteristics: terrestrial, possess lungs, covered in scales, ectothermic

4. Birds:

- Examples: eagles, penguins, hummingbirds

- Characteristics: endothermic, feathered, possess beaks, forelimbs modified into wings

5. Mammals:

- Examples: humans, lions, whales, bats

- Characteristics: endothermic, have fur or hair, possess mammary glands , give birth to live young (except monotremes).