Facts about the animal kingdom of Exotic invertebrae
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69 articles
The ocean teems with a diverse array of life, including the mesmerizing -and feared- jellyfish. Among these gelatinous creatures, the fried egg jellyfish is instantly recognizable for its distinctive appearance. While their beauty is undeniable, a common concern for water enthusiasts is the potential...
Also known as the man-o-war or bluebottle, the Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis) is a species of cnidarian. This means it is in the same taxonomic phylum as jellyfish, corals and sea anemones. Despite bearing similarities to jellyfish, these marine animals are actually hydrozoans. It is actually...
Jellyfish are captivating and diverse marine creatures that belong to the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes corals and sea anemones. Jellyfish are known for their unique stinging cells called cnidocytes, which contain venomous structures. While many species are harmless and pose little threat to humans,...
Crabs, with over 6,700 distinct species, are essential members of diverse ecosystems. They thrive in a remarkable range of habitats, some crabs are terrestrial while others are entirely aquatic. Additionally, their dietary needs vary greatly, with some acting as herbivores while others are carnivores. Unsurprisingly,...
Crabs are crustaceans which mainly live in marine waters, although some are freshwater and a small number are mainly terrestrial. Despite their diverse habitats, they all share certain key physical features. These include an exoskeleton, stalked eyes, hard carapace and their famous pincer claws. Since they...
The silkworm moth (Bombyx mori), part of the Lepidoptera order, has been vital to human history due to its role in silk production. Its life cycle is also a fascinating example of adaptation. The key to the silkworm moth's success is its unique diet, which changes dramatically as it grows.
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Scorpions are air-breathing arachnids related to spiders and mites. They are easily recognized by their narrow, segmented tail ending in a stinger. This stinger can inject venom to subdue or kill their prey, and in some species, it can be dangerous to humans. However, scorpions are usually not aggressive towards...
Predators that specialize in consuming ants play a crucial role in various ecosystems around the world. These predators, ranging from insects to mammals and even birds, have adapted unique strategies to hunt and consume ants, capitalizing on their abundance and often formidable defenses. Ants, known for...
Jellyfish, sometimes called sea jellies, are fascinating gelatinous animals that drift through the oceans. With their translucent bodies and pulsating bells, they might seem like simple creatures. But beneath their seemingly delicate exterior lies a fascinating array of specialized parts that allow them...
Jellyfish have a unique morphology, with a body that resembles few others in the animal kingdom. Despite this appearance, they carry out the same necessary functions and behaviors as all living things. They feed, reproduce and even respire. Respiration in jellyfish is possible thanks to their specially...
Like flies, mosquitoes or dung beetles, butterflies are insects. Unlike these other arthropods, butterflies are often seen as being separate due to their beautiful wings. We might swat a fly or squash a mosquito, but many of us will let a butterfly dance around us happily. Despite this difference in...
Have you ever wondered how a crab sheds its tough outer shell? This fascinating process, called molting, is essential for crustaceans like crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. It's essentially a growth strategy where the animal sheds its old, rigid outer covering to make way for a new, larger one.
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Grasshoppers are members of the order Orthoptera, the order which also contains crickets. The name of this order translates as ‘straight wings’, referencing the wing anatomy of this insect species. While their taxonomic name references flight, their common name points toward their other defining ability,...
Mosquitoes are some of the most common and widespread insects on Earth. We encounter them flitting around gardens and sneaking into our homes, often associating them with sleepless nights due to their nocturnal activity. However, mosquitoes also exhibit periods of rest. Does this downtime translate to...
Ants are a family of insects known as Formicidae, themselves part of the order Hymenoptera. This order also includes bees and wasps, insects which are commonly known for their ability to sting. Ants share many similarities with other hymenopterans, including compound eyes and the presence of an ovipositor...
Crickets are fascinating creatures that chirp their way through fields and forests around the world. Beyond their romantic evening melodies, these insects are essential to the functioning of ecosystems. They are a vital source of food for many different animals as well as decomposers, aiding in the breakdown...
A casual glance at a crab on the beach might leave you scratching your head. Their hard shells, sideways shuffle, and grasping claws set them apart from most creatures we encounter. So, what kind of animal are they, truly? Moreover, how can creatures with such seemingly cumbersome forms thrive in environments...
Crickets are a type of insect within the order Orthoptera, a taxonomic group which also contains locusts, grasshoppers and wetas. Entomologists have differed over the classifications of these insects of the years. While it may be subject to change, crickets are currently grouped in the superfamily known...
The average lifespan of a grasshopper will depend on species, with some only living a few weeks and others up to 6 months. For the individual grasshopper, factors such as food availability and climate will influence their longevity. Grasshoppers are insects the order Orthoptera, specifically of the suborder...
Sporting unique anatomies and remarkable behaviors, crabs have conquered diverse environments from salty seas to freshwater lakes. This thriving group of crustaceans boasts an array of fascinating features, with their versatile legs playing a starring role. From powering movement and capturing prey to adapting...
Beetles reign supreme as the most diverse insect group on Earth, boasting over 350,000 identified species and likely millions more that remain undiscovered. It is no surprise that adaptability allows them to thrive in nearly every terrestrial habitat, from tropical rainforests to scorching deserts, frigid...
Whether a beetle can bite a human depends on the type of beetle. Since the order of beetles (Coleoptera) makes up around 40% of all insect species, this can seem difficult to determine. There are some generalizations we can make. Beetles have mouth parts which include mandibles used to break down various material....
Beetle are insects and have six legs, as do all invertebrates in the class Insecta. Within this class can be found the order Coleoptera, commonly known as beetles. They are the largest order of all insects, being distinguished by a hard wing casing known as an elytron. Various types of beetles are known to...
We can use a beetle's anatomy to distinguish them from other insects. Of the order Coleoptera, there are approximately 400,000 recognized beetle species, with more yet to be discovered. Since they are insects, there are certain anatomical similarities which are shared by all of these invertebrates. An example...
Silkworms belong to the order Lepidoptera, but it is important to know they are not actually worms. They are moths, but are most well known to us when they are in the larval stage. This is the stage during which they secrete proteins which harden into a filament that can be woven to form their pupae....
Cockroaches are often seen at night, scurrying away once we turn on a light. This doesn't mean we don't see them during the day, but cockroaches are mainly nocturnal animals. Belonging to the order Blattodea, the ancestors of these insects date back approximately 300 million years. Although they are mainly...
Effective communication is a cornerstone of survival in the animal kingdom. It fosters cooperation, alerts to impending threats, and maintains the integrity of social structures. From the intricate dances of bees to the haunting calls of whales, the diverse forms of communication showcase the remarkable...
Earthworm reproduction has allowed this native European species to have an almost global distribution. The earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) is an annelid that is known to gardens as a beneficial animal. This is because they help to ensure soil is of a consistently high quality, largely due to their...
Ants, as industrious and social insects, play a crucial role in ecosystems worldwide. Their impact goes beyond natural habitats, influencing human activities. This article explores ant anatomy, shedding light on the mechanisms driving their behaviors, their roles within colonies, and their overall success...
Journey into the depths of the ocean and discover the diverse and fascinating world of octopuses. These remarkable creatures possess a unique combination of beauty and power, with their mesmerizing patterns, intriguing adaptations, and potent venom that serves as a formidable defense mechanism.
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Although ants do have hearts, they do not pump blood around their body. This is because ants do not have blood. They have a fluid known as hemolymph which carries out a similar function. There are around 14,000 known species of ants, although there are likely many more to be discovered. They have a global distribution...
Contrary to the conventional image of a centralized brain, ants possess a unique neurological arrangement that empowers them to perform complex tasks and coordinate seamlessly within their colonies. Their decentralized nervous system, sophisticated communication, and collective decision-making processes...
Teeth, in their various shapes and sizes, are nature's ingenious invention for processing food. They allow animals to tear, crush, and grind their meals, extracting vital nutrients for growth and energy. Mosquitoes, though lacking true teeth, possess a unique feeding apparatus that has evolved to serve...
Praying mantises are some of the most fascinating and unique predators in the world. With their powerful front legs, camouflaged bodies, and lightning-fast reflexes, they are perfectly adapted to catching and eating a wide variety of prey. But what exactly do praying mantises eat, and how do they hunt?
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Cnidarians are a diverse group of aquatic animals that includes jellyfish, corals, sea anemones, and hydras. They are characterized by their radial symmetry, diploblastic body plan, gastrovascular cavity, and nematocysts. Cnidarians can be found in all marine habitats, from the shallowest coral reefs...
Picture a creature equipped with lightning-fast reflexes, razor-sharp claws, and an insatiable appetite. Meet the praying mantis, a captivating and formidable predator in the insect realm. Praying mantises are renowned for their intricate and distinctive reproductive process, including the intriguing phenomenon...
There are many surprising and often baffling behaviors in the animal kingdom, but one of the most notorious is the sexual cannibalism of the praying mantis. The image of a female praying mantis devouring her mate after or even during breeding is hard to ignore. But why does this seemingly self-destructive...
As with all insects, ants have six legs. They are an invertebrate from the order Hymenoptera, an order which also includes bees and wasps. Ants are grouped in the Formicidae family, a diverse group of insects with an almost global distribution. They are known to be eusocial, the highest level of sociability...
Flies are an incredibly diverse and abundant group of insects. With over 150,000 known species worldwide, flies belong to the order Diptera, meaning "two wings," as they possess a single pair of functional wings. These small, agile creatures can be found in almost every corner of the globe, occupying...
Fireflies are able to light up due to bioluminescence, a production of light from a biochemical reaction. Although many marine animals and even some plants have bioluminescent abilities, only a relative few terrestrial animals have the ability to emit light in this way. Most of these animals are arthropods...
Worms are neither insects nor amphibians, but it is easy to understand why many confuse them as such. Worms have a slimy body and can often be seen in wet soils, just like amphibians. They can also be described as ‘creepy crawlies’, a term used to describe all kinds of insects. Since they have similar...
Octopuses are members of the molluscan phylum, class Cephalopoda, and the order Octopoda. What makes them particularly interesting is that they possess unique characteristics that set them apart not only from other invertebrates, but also from other mollusks. Their remarkable abilities have captured the...
Cockroaches are a group of insects that belong to the order Blattodea, an order which also contains termites. They are particularly well distributed in tropical and temperate climates since they like warmth and humidity, but they have an almost global distribution. In fact, they are famous for being able to...
How a mollusk reproduces varies greatly since there are many different types of mollusks in nature. Their reproductive strategies depend on various factors, including their individual morphology, environment, climate and many others. Despite such variety in how mollusks reproduce, almost all do so through...
Ladybugs, also known as ladybugs or lady beetles, are a type of beetle belonging to the Coccinellidae family. They are widely known for their small, round, brightly colored bodies and the black spots on their backs. They have a relatively short lifespan compared to other insects, but this can vary depending...
The monarch butterfly is a fascinating insect that is famous for its remarkable migration. Every year, millions of monarchs make an incredible journey that can take them thousands of miles, from their breeding grounds in North America to their wintering grounds in Mexico. The migration of monarch butterflies...
There is increasing awareness of ticks in relation to public health. Much of this is due to the increasing cases of Lyme disease being diagnosed, a condition which can also affect dogs. Ticks are arthropods of the Arachnida class, a category which includes fellow invertebrates such as spiders, scorpions and...
Spiders are a very extensive and diverse group of arthropods belonging to the class Arachnidae. There are more than 45,000 known species of spiders that occur in habitats around the world. Although all spiders are more or less venomous, only a few of them are dangerous to humans. They are known to be...
Spiders are a very extensive and diverse group of arthropods belonging to the class of arachnids. Spiders are related to scorpions, ticks, and mites, and only very distantly to insects, with which they should not be confused. They have four pairs of segmented legs and can regenerate a leg if they lose...
Spiders are arthropod animals that belong to the order Araneae. Within this order is a great diversity of species, being the most varied group identified as arachnids. There are many people who believe spiders are insects, but they are a different type of arthropod. Spiders have eight legs and no antennae...