Invertebrates

The invertebrates are a group of animals that do not have a backbone or spinal column. This group includes 97% of all animal species! The largest and most familiar invertebrates are insects, but there are many other types including spiders, worms, mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms.

Invertebrates come in all shapes and sizes. Some, like the elephant trunkfish pictured above, can even grow to be quite large! Invertebrates can be found in nearly every environment on Earth, from the frozen tundra to the deepest depths of the ocean. Many invertebrate species are very important members of their ecosystems and perform critical roles in things like decomposition and pollination.