Invertebrates

Blue crab sitting in the wet sand under a stone

NPS Photo

Invertebrates, contained within the phylum Chordata, are cold-blooded animals that lack a vertebral column, or backbone. They are generally soft-bodied animals that lack an internal skeleton, but often have a hard outer skeleton or shell for body protection. Invertebrates make up more than 90% of all living animal species, and serve as food for humans and are key elements in food chains that support birds, fish, and many other vertebrate species.

 

Wasps on a solidago.

NPS/Varuna Vaughn

Terrestrial invertebrates are very common and numerous and easily seen throughout the park. Terrestrial invertebrates found in Fort Pulaski include insects, spiders, worms, and snails.

 

Snails on a wooden post in the sand.

NPS Photo

Many aquatic invertebrates inhabit the water and marshlands of the park. Some of the aquatic invertebrates that can be seen at Fort Pulaski are mollusks like clams, oysters, mussels, and snails and crustaceans like crabs, shrimp, and barnacles.

 

References

https://www.britannica.com/animal/invertebrate
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates