You are here: Home > Curatorial & research > Biodiversity & Systematic Biology > Vertebrates

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales

Vertebrates

[image: Red Kite]

Vertebrate zoology is the study of animals which have a backbone. There are only about 50,000 different kinds of vertebrates, a pin-prick in the earth's biodiversity compared to the millions of different kinds of invertebrates - animals without backbones - and plants.

Despite this and because they tend to big, obvious, and frequently cute, vertebrates such as whales, big cats, and birds get far more public attention than all the rest.

This popularity means that vertebrates, far more than other animals or plants, become the symbols of campaigns to raise public awareness of environmental issues. It is this popularity which also makes them an important part of this museum.

  • National Museum Cardiff

    [image: National Museum Cardiff]

    Discover art, archaeology, natural history and geology. With a busy programme of exhibitions and events, we have something to amaze everyone, whatever your interest – and admission is free!

  • St Fagans: National History Museum

    [image: St Fagans]

    St Fagans is one of Europe's foremost open-air museums and Wales's most popular heritage attraction.

  • Big Pit: National Coal Museum

    [image: Big Pit]

    Big Pit is a real coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums. With facilities to educate and entertain all ages, Big Pit is an exciting and informative day out.

  • National Wool Museum

    [image: National Wool Museum]

    Located in the historic former Cambrian Mills, the Museum is a special place with a spellbinding story to tell.

  • National Roman Legion Museum

    [image: National Roman Legion Museum]

    In AD 75, the Romans built a fortress at Caerleon that would guard the region for over 200 years. Today at the National Roman Legion Museum you can learn what made the Romans a formidable force and how life wouldn't be the same without them.

  • National Slate Museum

    [image: National Slate Museum]

    The National Slate Museum offers a day full of enjoyment and education in a dramatically beautiful landscape on the shores of Llyn Padarn.

  • National Waterfront Museum

    [image: National Waterfront Museum]

    The National Waterfront Museum at Swansea tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years.

  • Rhagor: Explore our collections

    Rhagor (Welsh for ‘more’) offers unprecedented access to the amazing stories that lie behind our collections.