Pictures of Invertebrates
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Purple and Yellow Tube Sponge
The purple and yellow tube sponge displays one of the many different body forms typical of sponges. Sponges, considered to be the most primitive of the multicellular animals, are represented in the fossil record back to the Cambrian Period, at least 600 million years ago. The interior body cavities of sponges provide shelter for a variety of small crabs, sea stars, and other marine invertebrates.
Scorpion
This species of scorpion is one of approximately 40 species of scorpion native to the southwestern United States. A jointed, external exoskeleton provides the scorpion with a protective outer shell. Defense and prey capture involves grasping of the prey or potential predator with the large powerful claws while the jointed tail delivers a disabling sting. Although the sting of most scorpions is not fatal to humans, the sting of this particular species has proven to be fatal to younger children.
Sheep Tick
Ticks are members of the class Arachnida, which includes spiders, scorpions, daddy longlegs, and mites. All ticks are carnivorous, feeding on the blood of various species of birds, reptiles, and mammals, including human beings. Ticks use their mouthparts to anchor themselves to the skin, where they cut a small hole and suck the blood. A number of tick species transmit diseases infecting livestock, pets, and humans.
Silverfish
The silverfish, like other insects of its order, displays vestigial legs in addition to the usual six. Among the most primitive of all animals, the silverfish belongs to the bristletails order of insects. A common household pest also known as “sugar mites,” silverfish feed on starchy materials such as foods in kitchen pantries and the glue in book bindings and wallpaper.
Snail
Some groups of snails have shells that coil to the left (left-handed), while others have shells coiling to the right (right-handed). In some groups both right- and left-handed members are present. The shell affords protection from predators and the rigors of the environment. When threatened, the snail pulls its entire body inside. A small, circular structure called the operculum closes securely behind the snail to form a tight seal that keeps out predators and keeps in moisture.
South African Tsetse Fly
The South African tsetse fly, common to central Africa, is responsible for transmitting the parasitic protozoan that causes sleeping sickness, a disease that can be fatal to humans and domestic cattle.
Sow Bug
The sow bug is actually a type of crustacean. Sow bugs are commonly found in rotting wood, wood piles, or under the loose bark of old stumps or fallen trees. When threatened by predators, the sow bug curls up into a tight, little ball, protected by its hard outer shell.
Starfish
Although many starfish have 5 arms, or rays, some species may have as many as 44 arms. All starfish can grow back arms lost through predation and physical injury. Starfish have a flattened body with the mouth located on the oral, or lower body surface. Many starfish can evert their stomach through their mouth to feed on food items too large to ingest.
Tapeworm
Tapeworms are parasitic worms that infest the intestinal lining and other organs of vertebrates. Tapeworms, having no mouth or digestive tract, are able to absorb partially digested material through their body surface.
Velvetworm
The velvetworm is an unusual animal because it shares some characteristics with arthropods but has other features that resemble segmented worms, or annelids.
Zebra Mussel
Accidentally introduced from Europe in the mid-1980s, zebra mussels have spread throughout many North American lakes and rivers. These hardy freshwater mussels grow and reproduce quickly. They attach to almost any submerged surface, frequently coating or clogging boat hulls, fishing equipment, and water intake pipes.
Purple and Yellow Tube SpongeThe purple and yellow tube sponge displays one of the many different body forms typical of sponges. Sponges, considered to be the most primitive of the multicellular animals, are represented in the fossil record back to the Cambrian Period, at least 600 million years ago. The interior body cavities of sponges provide shelter for a variety of small crabs, sea stars, and other marine invertebrates.
ScorpionThis species of scorpion is one of approximately 40 species of scorpion native to the southwestern United States. A jointed, external exoskeleton provides the scorpion with a protective outer shell. Defense and prey capture involves grasping of the prey or potential predator with the large powerful claws while the jointed tail delivers a disabling sting. Although the sting of most scorpions is not fatal to humans, the sting of this particular species has proven to be fatal to younger children.
Sheep TickTicks are members of the class Arachnida, which includes spiders, scorpions, daddy longlegs, and mites. All ticks are carnivorous, feeding on the blood of various species of birds, reptiles, and mammals, including human beings. Ticks use their mouthparts to anchor themselves to the skin, where they cut a small hole and suck the blood. A number of tick species transmit diseases infecting livestock, pets, and humans.
SilverfishThe silverfish, like other insects of its order, displays vestigial legs in addition to the usual six. Among the most primitive of all animals, the silverfish belongs to the bristletails order of insects. A common household pest also known as “sugar mites,” silverfish feed on starchy materials such as foods in kitchen pantries and the glue in book bindings and wallpaper.
SnailSome groups of snails have shells that coil to the left (left-handed), while others have shells coiling to the right (right-handed). In some groups both right- and left-handed members are present. The shell affords protection from predators and the rigors of the environment. When threatened, the snail pulls its entire body inside. A small, circular structure called the operculum closes securely behind the snail to form a tight seal that keeps out predators and keeps in moisture.
South African Tsetse FlyThe South African tsetse fly, common to central Africa, is responsible for transmitting the parasitic protozoan that causes sleeping sickness, a disease that can be fatal to humans and domestic cattle.
Sow BugThe sow bug is actually a type of crustacean. Sow bugs are commonly found in rotting wood, wood piles, or under the loose bark of old stumps or fallen trees. When threatened by predators, the sow bug curls up into a tight, little ball, protected by its hard outer shell.
StarfishAlthough many starfish have 5 arms, or rays, some species may have as many as 44 arms. All starfish can grow back arms lost through predation and physical injury. Starfish have a flattened body with the mouth located on the oral, or lower body surface. Many starfish can evert their stomach through their mouth to feed on food items too large to ingest.
TapewormTapeworms are parasitic worms that infest the intestinal lining and other organs of vertebrates. Tapeworms, having no mouth or digestive tract, are able to absorb partially digested material through their body surface.
VelvetwormThe velvetworm is an unusual animal because it shares some characteristics with arthropods but has other features that resemble segmented worms, or annelids.
Zebra MusselAccidentally introduced from Europe in the mid-1980s, zebra mussels have spread throughout many North American lakes and rivers. These hardy freshwater mussels grow and reproduce quickly. They attach to almost any submerged surface, frequently coating or clogging boat hulls, fishing equipment, and water intake pipes.
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