The vast majority of animal species on Earth have no backbone at all. Invertebrates include creatures as different as spiders, snails, crabs, worms and jellyfish, and they solve the problem of support in many ways: some wear a hard exoskeleton, some carry a shell, and others rely on water pressure inside soft bodies. They live almost everywhere, from the deep ocean floor and garden soil to the ponds in your local park, and they play vital roles as recyclers, pollinators and food for larger animals.
Meet eight-legged hunters in our spiders section, discover how crabs molt and grow, and learn about the slow, slimy lives of snails, including how to care for mystery snail eggs. Our pond critters pages introduce the tiny freshwater life you can find with a net and a jar, while sections on centipedes, scorpions, squid, worms and jellyfish complete a fascinating tour of the animal world without backbones.
Whether you’re a new aquarist or an experienced fish hobbyist, you probably want to know the most nutritious food you can give the fish to promote their health and happiness. Similar to other living organisms, fish in genral require wholesome food for proper functioning. That’s exactly why you might need to consider giving your fish…
If you don’t believe in superstitions, don’t pay attention to verbal meanings, and are a devotee of the extraordinary, you should unquestionably consider the Thai Devil Crab as an inhabitant of your aquarium. Just saying its name sounds exciting, not to mention the visuals of this crab! Thai devil crab Quick Facts Common name Thai…
Have you ever come across a clutch of mystery snail eggs? These tiny, translucent orbs hold a world of intrigue within their delicate confines. Observers are left wondering about the life developing within, as these mystery snail eggs encapsulate the beginning of a mysterious journey. As the eggs gradually transform into juvenile snails, the veil…
Are you curious about the enigmatic realm of vampire crabs, enhanced with captivating colors and intricate patterns? Vampire crab Quick Facts Common name Vampire crab Scientific name Geosesarma dennerle Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Family Sesarmidae Genus Geosesarma Type Crustacean (semi-land crab) Diet Omnivore: insects, worms, plant matter, vegetables Habitat Rocky caves…
Have you ever considered pond snails to be unique creatures with fascinating ecological and biological characteristics? If not, you might need to be aware of the significance that pond snails have for aquatic environments! Pond snail Quick Facts Common name Pond snail Scientific name Lymnaeidae Kingdom Animalia Phylum Mollusca Class Gastropoda Type Mollusc (freshwater snail)…
Do you intend to join the expanding community of urban farmers and search for a method to transform kitchen garbage into a beneficial soil amendment? Starting your worm farm is a convenient way to resolve this concern. You might even be able to contribute to environmental protection by starting your own worm farm. Sounds impressive,…
Centipedes are one of the very first animals to ever come about on our beloved planet, showing up in our fossil records as far back as 430 million years during the late-Silurian period. This means they pre-date dinosaurs by over 200 million years, and they’ve been quite successful in out-living them. Centipede Quick Facts Common…
Scorpions are one of the first animals to have ever evolved on this Earth, the first of their species coming around roughly 460 million years ago. Deathstalker scorpions have become one of the most popular species in the world. Deathstalker scorpion Quick Facts Common name Deathstalker scorpion Scientific name Leiurus quinquestriatus Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda…
Quick answer: Most snails are hermaphrodites, meaning each has both male and female organs. Two snails mate and exchange sperm, then each can lay a clutch of eggs in soil or a sheltered, damp spot. Some species have separate sexes. Snails have one of the most intriguing reproduction habits in the animal kingdom. The majority…
Many people are shocked to hear that aspects of snail anatomy resemble those of humans. Snails and people are different, after all. Perhaps it is even difficult to imagine an animal that is more unlike us. They move slowly and are tiny, slimy, and delicate. However, humans are fairly resilient and quickly adapt. If you…
Have you heard about the vampire squid? It is incredibly challenging to research vampire squids in their natural habitat, as it is with most deep-sea species, so little is known about their behavior and characteristics. However, it’s clear they have some very unusual properties. That’s why scientists want to learn more about this unusual and…
Have you heard about giant African land snails? This creature is famous for being one of the largest and most harmful land snail species in the world. Since they are frequently imported illegally for the pet and shell trades and occasionally utilized in educational contexts, they make pretty interesting species. Giant African land snail Quick…