Invertebrates

What is an invertebrate?
Invertebrates don’t have a backbone.
They are usually smaller than vertebrates.
All invertebrates are oviparous.
Most animals on earth are invertebrates.
Some live on land and others live in the soil.
Some live in water.
Some can fly.
 What do invertebrates eat?
Not all invertebrates eat the same food.

Some eat only plants.

They are herbivores.

Some eat only other

animals.
They are carnivores.

Some eat plants and

animals.
They are omnivores.
 Classifying invertebrates
It is more difficult to classify invertebrates because there
are so many groups.
The most important groups are:
Molluscs
Anthropods
Worms
Jellyfish
Sponges
Starfish
 Molluscs
Mollusks have a soft,
muscular body.

Some, like snails, have a shell.

Many molluscs live in the sea.
Mussels, oysters and
octopuses are all molluscs.
 Anthropods
Anthropods are the
biggest group of
invertebrates.
Their bodies are divided
into 3 parts.
They have a hard skin
and
joints in their legs.
Insects (ants and bees)
and arachnids
(spiders and scorpions)
are anthropods.
 Worms
Worms have a long,
soft body.
Some live on land and
others live in water.
Some worms are
parasites. They live
inside another animal
and feed on them.
 Jellyfish
Jellyfish live in
water.
They have soft
bodies and
tentacles.
Be careful! Their
tentacles can sting
you!
 Sponges
Sponges have soft
bodies covered
with holes.
They live in water.
Starfish

Starfish are protected by

hard outer parts.
They live in water.
They usually have 5 arms,
but some can have even
20!
Determine the Distinguishing Characteristics of Vertebrates and Invertebrates.

Identify the vertebrate group that is being described by the statement. Write the
letter of your answer on the space provided.

F – Fish A – Amphibian R – Reptile B – Bird M – Mammal

_____ 1. Have moist and slimy skin.

_____ 2. Skeleton is either cartilaginous or bony.

_____ 3. Body is covered with dry skin and scales.

_____ 4. Bones are lightweight and hollow.

_____ 5. Nourish their young with milk from the mammary glands.
Identify the invertebrate group that is being described by the statement.
Write the letter of your answer on the space provided.
A. Sponges B. Cnidarians C. Flatworms D. Mollusks

E. Echinoderms F. Arthropods

_____ 6. All of them live in marine environments.

_____ 7. They have soft bodies.

_____ 8. Their bodies have one large opening and many

smaller pores like openings.

_____ 9. They are equipped with nematocysts.

_____ 10. They have jointed legs.