Objective To conduct dynamic impact failure test of rabbit single vertebra, and make comparison with the static compression experiment, so as to study damage mechanism of the vertebral body under the axial impact. Methods The voltage waveform diagram of the force sensor and the detailed process of the vertebral impact were obtained by the oscilloscope and high-speed photography through the drop hammer dynamic impact experimental device. Results The average static load of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra were 910 N and 947 N, respectively; the average dynamic load of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra were 1 196 N and 1 026 N, respectively; the average thoracic and lumbar dynamic load coefficients were 1.37 and 1.08; under static load, the average stress of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra was 15.28 MPa and 12.51 MPa, respectively; under dynamic load, the average stress of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra was 20.03 MPa and 13.56 MPa; during dynamic impact, the mean longitudinal strain and transverse strain was -0.3 and -0.005 (compression); under dynamic conditions, the destruction energy of vertebrae increased from 0 J to 4.4 J. Conclusions Under dynamic and static experimental conditions, the dynamic load of the same vertebral body was greater than that of the static load; the average dynamic load coefficient of the thoracic vertebra was larger than that of the lumbar vertebra; the equivalent stress of the thoracic vertebra was greater than that of the lumbar vertebra; the axial strain of vertebra under impact was greater than the transverse strain; energy growth of the vertebral body presented a slow at first and then a rapid changing process. The research findings can provide some guidance for prevention and rehabilitation of human vertebral body injury in clinic.