Invertebrates are animals that do not have a backbone. They make up the vast majority of animal life on Earth, with over 97% of all animal species being invertebrates.
Some common examples of invertebrates include insects, spiders, worms, jellyfish, and snails.
Invertebrates come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny tardigrade, which is only about 0.5 mm long, to the giant squid, which can grow to be over 18 meters long.
Invertebrates live in all parts of the world, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains. They play an important role in the ecosystem, as pollinators, predators, and decomposers.
The octopus is an invertebrate.
Noun: invertebrate (pronounced in-vur-tuh-brayt).
Adjective: invertebrate (pronounced in-vur-tuh-brayt).
Adverb: invertebrately (pronounced in-vur-tuh-brayt-lee).
The word "invertebrate" comes from the Latin words "in-" (meaning "not") and "vertebra" (meaning "backbone"). So, the word "invertebrate" literally means "without a backbone".
What is an invertebrate?
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