Invertebrate Exhibit
They may be spineless but they are the dominant life form on our planet—most of the Earth's animals are invertebrates. Come explore their myriad shapes, sizes, and colors at the Smithsonian's National Zoo!
Demonstrations
There's always something going on here, demonstrations occur throughout the day, every day. Feeding demonstrations showcase animals such as the American lobster, blue crab, giant Pacific octopus, and spiders.
Impromptu Talks and Tours
Experts are on hand to answer your questions and show you the leaf-cutter ants' foraging chamber, molt and soil tables, and touch tank.
Pollinarium
Visitors can explore a verdant habitat painted by the petals of heliconia, pentas, red salvia, blue porterweed, and other flowering plants. Butterflies float by on wings that flutter lazily in the silence.
The greenhouse demonstrates how pollination is an essential ecological process, critical to the interdependence of plants, animals, and humans and provides a window into the wonders of living organisms.
A colony of bees lives in an enclosed hive with a clear wall, which makes up-close bee-watching safe and easy. The intricate construction of their honeycomb is especially intriguing at this close distance.
MicroTheater
Watch invertebrates on a webcam
