Invertebrates

The small creatures that quietly keep Australia alive

What Are Invertebrates?

Invertebrates are animals without a backbone. They may be small, but they make up the vast majority of animal life on Earth. In Australia, invertebrates live in almost every environment — from sun‑baked deserts and tropical rainforests to oceans, rivers and backyard gardens.

Though often overlooked, these animals are essential to the health of our ecosystems.

A World Beneath Our Feet

Pause for a moment in the bush or your own garden. Beneath leaves, on tree bark, and drifting through the air is a hidden world alive with movement — insects pollinating flowers, spiders controlling pest numbers, worms enriching the soil, and dragonflies skimming the surface of still water.

Invertebrates are the quiet workforce of nature.

Why Invertebrates Matter

Invertebrates help to:

• Pollinate native plants and crops
• Break down leaf litter and recycle nutrients
• Control insect populations naturally
• Form the base of many food chains

Without them, Australian ecosystems would struggle to survive.

Small Creatures, Big Importance

While many invertebrates are tiny, their impact is enormous. Over 95% of animal species on Earth are invertebrates, and many Australian species are found nowhere else in the world.

By learning about them, we begin to understand how deeply connected all life is.

Healthy invertebrate populations depend on clean water, native plants, and pesticide‑free habitats. Protecting these small animals helps protect the entire environment — including the creatures that depend on them, and ultimately, us.