A chordate (/ˈkɔːrdeɪt/) is an animal of the phylum Chordata. During some period of their life cycle, chordates possess a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail: these four anatomical features define this phylum. Chordates are also bilaterally symmetric, and have a coelom, metameric segmentation, and circulatory system. The Chordata and Ambulacraria together form the superphylum Deuterostomia. Chordates are divided into three subphyla: Vertebrata (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals); Tunicata or Urochordata (sea squirts, salps); and Cephalochordata (which includes lancelets).

There are also extinct taxa such as the Vetulicolia. Hemichordata (which includes the acorn worms) has been presented as a fourth chordate subphylum, but now is treated as a separate phylum: hemichordates and Echinodermata form the Ambulacraria, the sister phylum of the Chordates. Of the more than 65,000 living species of chordates, about half are bony fish that are members of the superclass Pisces, class Osteichthyes.

Honey badger

Honey badger

The honey badger (Latin: Mellivora capensis) is very fond of honey. It also likes fish, lizards, frogs, poisonous snakes, scorpions, small rodents, birds and their eggs, roots and insects....

Red Fox

Red Fox

This beautiful predator with an elongated narrow muzzle, pointed ears and a long fluffy tail inhabits

Puffin Bird

Puffin bird

Tupiks are distinguished by their amazing beak structure. In shape and color, the beak of the tupik is similar to that of a parrot: it is planted high and can be colored blue, yellow or red.

Giant anteater

Giant anteater

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), along with its closest relatives the tamandua and pygmy anteater, are members of the order of incomplete-toothed mammals.

Manul

Manul

Judging by the expression on this wild cat's face, the last thing he wants is to be petted.

Tibetan fox

Tibetan fox

One thing is known about the Tibetan fox: it has the thick, square face of a Zen scholar. No one knows anything more about this elusive and mysterious beast.

Steller's sea eagle

Steller's sea eagle

The Steller's sea eagle (aka sea eagle, Steller's sea eagle, Pacific eagle) is an amazingly beautiful and majestic bird. The main color of the plumage of adult birds is black-brown.

Peacock blenny

Peacock blenny

The peacock dogfish is an amazing fish that can move on land, has an unusual helmet on its head, its coloring really resembles a peacock and is also extremely curious.

Tundra wolf

Tundra wolf

Northern subspecies of wolf are perhaps among the hardiest animals on Earth. Consider this: for five months of the year they live in almost total darkness in the icy cold.