The document describes the main characteristics of vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrates include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Birds have feathers and wings, fish have gills and fins, reptiles lay eggs and have scales, and amphibians have tails and go through a metamorphosis from tadpole to adult frog. Invertebrates don't have a backbone and can have exoskeletons that are thin, thick, soft or with a shell. Insects have specific body parts like antennae, a head, thorax and abdomen. They go through different life stages that include eggs, caterpillar and chrysalis forms.