10 Animals with Backbones that Live in Water, Land, and Air

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Vertebrates are animals with a backbone that we commonly hear about. Animals with backbones usually have a structured nervous system and a seemingly perfect body structure. The definition of vertebrates themselves refers to animals that have a spine with a more perfected body structure. Animals with a backbone mean the main skeletal structure composed of vertebrae segments extending from the head to the tail.

In this article, we will delve deeper into 10 animals with backbones, ranging from those that live in water to those that live on land. Here is a complete explanation!

1. Singa

Lions belong to a group of animals that have backbones. This vertebrate animal has an internal skeleton consisting of the spine as a support for the body while protecting the spinal cord. The arrangement of the spine also plays a role in maximizing flexible and strong movements, this ability is what lions utilize for hunting and survival. The presence of this spine also makes lions mammals with the highest muscle percentage.

2. Elephant

The largest land mammal in this category also has a backbone. It is known that the entire backbone of an elephant, from the skull to the tail, consists of 60-70 vertebrae. The neck area of the elephant contains 7 vertebrae, which are shaped like fused discs that are somewhat flattened and play a crucial role in bearing the weight of the head and tusks.

3. Shark Fish

Not only land creatures, but this inhabitant of the sea also has a backbone like a lion and an elephant. Stingrays belong to the group of cartilaginous fish, meaning their backbone is formed from cartilage. This is why stingrays move agilely in water, as the nature of cartilage itself is flexible, certainly making it easier for stingrays to move. The cartilage in the backbone of stingrays, with its flattened body structure, allows for flexibility and agility at the bottom of the sea.

4. Eagle Bird

Vertebrate animals that follow are eagles. The vertebral column system in birds is divided into three parts: the neck, the fused backbones with the pelvis, and the tailbones that perfect the body shape and maximize flying ability. It is known that the structure of the eagle's vertebral column plays a role in supporting the large muscles needed for long-distance flight. This vertebral column is part of the lightweight and strong bird skeleton.

5. Kuda

Horses have a backbone as a complex series of bones that supports all the movements of the horse. The backbone of a horse consists of several vertebrae, namely cervical (neck), thoracic (upper back), lumbar (lower back), sacral (pelvic), and tail vertebrae. This backbone serves as a support for the horse's body and is where the muscles that enable movement and bear loads are attached. It is the muscles attached to and the backbone itself that make the horse strong even when ridden by humans.

6. Cat

One of the special things about cats is their flexible body, which is due to their highly flexible backbone. Thanks to this flexibility, cats can rotate their bodies up to 180°. A cat's backbone includes 7 cervical vertebrae (neck), 13 thoracic vertebrae (upper back), 7 lumbar vertebrae (lower back), 3 sacral vertebrae fused together, and 18-23 caudal vertebrae (tail).

7. Kura-kura

Turtles are reptiles that have a backbone structure with the distinctive feature of a shell made from bone and cartilage. It can be said that the backbone of a turtle fuses with its shell. The backbone part along with the ribs and shoulder bones fuse to form a hard skeleton and become part of the shell. The bone structure designed this way serves as protection for the turtle's body.

8. Crocodile

Crocodiles are also endowed with a backbone or spinal column as the main axis of their body. The backbone in crocodiles plays a role in protecting the spinal cord and optimizing movement. This bone consists of a series of individual bones called vertebrae. Here are the parts of the crocodile's backbone:

• Cervical vertebrae (neck): This part plays an important role in the movement of the crocodile's neck, such as rotating it or moving it side to side.

• Thoracic vertebra (rib): The thoracic vertebrae are connected to the ribs and form the chest cavity, which functions to protect the heart and lungs.

• Lumbar vertebra (waist): Maximizing movement in the back part of the body.

• Sacral vertebra (pelvis): This vertebra fuses with the pelvic bone which plays a role in strengthening the muscles of the rear limbs.

• Tail vertebra (caudal): Consists of a large number of vertebrae that form the crocodile's tail and optimize swimming and balance.

9. Kambing

The goat's backbone is formed from several parts of vertebrae such as thoracic vertebrae (chest), cervical (neck), lumbar (waist), sacral (pelvis), and caudal (tail). This backbone plays a role in supporting the goat's body, protecting the spinal cord, and maximizing balance when the goat moves. The arrangement of the backbone also adheres to muscles that allow for running, jumping, and other movements when the goat is active.

10. Dog

The backbone of a dog is formed along the back of the body, from the head to the tip of the tail. Its purpose is to support the dog's body weight and protect its spinal cord. There are five main parts to a dog's backbone, including:

• Cervical vertebrae (neck): Composed of 7 vertebrae, where the first two are the atlas and axis which function to move the dog's head.

• Thoracic vertebra (rib): Consists of 13 vertebrae, and each thoracic vertebra is associated with a pair of ribs.

• Lumbar vertebra (waist): The quantity is 7 lanes and they are longer in shape, which supports lower back flexibility.

• Sacral vertebra (pelvis): Consists of 3 segments that merge and form the sacrum.

• Caudal vertebrae (tail): Consists of 18-25 vertebrae, but depends on the breed and size of the dog.

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