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Invertebrates
Invertebrates are the most abundant creatures on earth, crawling, flying, floating, or swimming in virtually all of Earth's habitats, from townhouses to tropical rainforests. Yet most of us rarely notice them unless they're in our gardens or on our dinner plates.
Invertebrates—creatures without backbones—are nature's unsung heroes, quietly playing vital roles in earth's ecosystems. About 99 percent of all known living species are invertebrates. Vertebrates—fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals—make up a tiny fraction of life on earth. 
more about the silent majority
It is nearly impossible to go a day without encountering one of the million species of arthropods. Most of them are insects, and many others are spiders.
National Zoo Successfully Grows Two Species of Anemones Using Coral Techniques Learned in the Field
The National Zoo has become the first in the zoo and aquarium community to use coral larvae settling techniques to successfully grow two species of anemones—an accomplishment that will provide the Zoo a unique opportunity to learn how anemones grow. more
Curious About Coral Conservation?
Read answers to many commonly asked questions.
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Invertebrate Photo Gallery |
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The giant Pacific octopus
is the world's largest octopus—large males may have an arm span up to 25 feet and weigh more than 100 pounds. Octopuses are mollusks, and are related to squid, cuttlefish, and nautiluses.
Octopus facts | Ocean Living photo gallery | 
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Microtheater
At the Zoo's Invertebrate Exhibit
The Zoo's Invertebrate Exhibit is home to dozens of invertebrate species, from sea stars to spiny lobsters to giant African millipedes to tarantulas to a giant Pacific octopus, which can be seen on our web cam above.
One visitor favorite is the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis). These cephalopods are fed three times a day and delight visitors with dramatic color and pattern changes.
Visitors can also see beautiful zebra longwing, orange julia, and erato butterflies in our Pollinarium.
Chesapeake Bay Crab Exhibit
The Blue Crab and the Bay exhibit, located at the Invertebrate Exhibit, highlights the biology of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, focusing on its lifecycle and its environment in the Chesapeake Bay.
Every day staff and volunteers welcome visitors into the world of invertebrates through conversation, demonstrations, and science-based discussions. Special demonstrations and activities occur throughout the day. The animals are housed in aquariums and terrestrial exhibits. exhibit details
For a journey into the realm of the fascinating, odd, graceful, and the ecologically complex, visit the Invertebrate Exhibit.
