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.
Quick answer: Snails live almost everywhere with enough moisture, including gardens, forests, wetlands, freshwater ponds and rivers, and the ocean. Land snails shelter in damp, shady spots, under rocks, logs and leaves, to avoid drying out. You might have seen a snail at least once in your garden or while walking in the park. The…
Scorpions are one of the first animals to have ever evolved on this world, the first of their species evolving around 460 million years ago. They have formed into nearly 2000 different species that still exist today, from Emperor scorpions, Desert Hairy scorpions, and more dangerous species such as Deathstalkers and Indian Red scorpions. Desert…
Scorpions are one of the worlds oldest animals, the first of their species evolving around 460 million years ago. The most recognizable genus, to most humans, are emperor scorpions. Continue reading to learn all about them! Emperor scorpion Quick Facts Common name Emperor scorpion Scientific name Pandinus imperator Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Arachnida Order…
Which creature is one of the oldest living species on the planet? It is thought to be a snail that is a patient, fascinating, and resilient animal. They never rush; instead, they walk carefully and gently. We can say that snails are strong creatures that take a great deal of abuse and still keep going….
What have you heard about the jellyfish life cycle? Most likely, when you see a jellyfish, you picture a translucent, bell-shaped creature with long, slender tentacles. Although famous, it simply represents the “Medusa” phase of a true scyphozoan jellyfish before it expires. Teachers and students: you’re welcome to use this diagram in lessons and projects…
Quick answer: Snails mainly eat plants, including leaves, fruit, vegetables, algae, and decaying plant matter, using a rough tongue called a radula. Some snails also eat dead animals or other snails, and many need calcium from soil or shells. Snails are versatile animals and one of the rare species that have adapted to the majority…
Who hasn’t heard of these incredible creatures? Crabs now come in more than 6,700 different species and can live in various habitats, including freshwater, the salty ocean environment, and along the beach. While some live entirely on land, they are always close to water of some kind. Teachers and students: you’re welcome to use this…
Quick answer: Spiders mate when a male finds a female, often using courtship signals such as vibrations or dances, and transfers sperm with special organs on his pedipalps. Males of some species risk being eaten by the female after mating. Spiders are one of the most interesting creatures on Earth. There are more than 50,000…
Quick answer: Most spiders live about one to two years, but lifespan varies a lot by species. Female tarantulas can live 20 years or more, and some trapdoor spiders have lived over 40 years, while males usually die sooner than females. Even though many people are afraid of spiders, they are very interesting creatures and…
Many people agree that in real life, zombies do not exist. However, these zombie spiders prove this wrong. It turns out that in the Insects, zombies are real. Let’s take the ants, for example. The fungus uses ants’ bodies and minds to support the reproduction of their species. However, ants are not the only insects…
Crabs are fascinating creatures. They come in over 6,700 species and live in various habitats. While some of them prefer freshwater, others like the salty ocean environment. Some live entirely on land, yet they are constantly close to the water of some kind. Because they maintain the environment, crabs are highly significant creatures. Additionally, they…
All spiders share the same basic life cycle, from the smallest jumping spider to the biggest tarantula. The main stages of the spider life cycle include – egg, spiderling, and adult stages. Even though each of these three phases of their development is specific, they still differ from species to species. Teachers and students: you’re…