Aquatic and Terrestrial Invertebrate Welfare

Animals (Basel). 2023 Oct 31;13(21):3375. doi: 10.3390/ani13213375.

Abstract

Invertebrates are a diverse group of animals that make up the majority of the animal kingdom and encompass a wide array of species with varying adaptations and characteristics. Invertebrates are found in nearly all of the world's habitats, including aquatic, marine, and terrestrial environments. There are many misconceptions about invertebrate sentience, welfare requirements, the need for environmental enrichment, and overall care and husbandry for this amazing group of animals. This review addresses these topics and more for a select group of invertebrates with biomedical, economical, display, and human companionship importance.

Keywords: chelicerates; coelenterates; crustaceans; echinoderms; enrichment; health; insects; invertebrates; mollusks; myriapods; welfare.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.