Crawfish
- Common Name:
- Crawfish
- Habitat:
- Freshwater creeks, streams, and rivers
- Diet:
- Omnivore — algae, worms, insects
- Fun Fact:
- They breathe with gills but can survive for days out of water if they stay wet.
Invertebrates
Over 97% of all animal species — the backbone of every ecosystem
Common Octopus
- Common Name:
- Octopus
- Habitat:
- Coastal waters and coral reefs worldwide
- Diet:
- Carnivore — crabs, shrimp, mollusks, fish
- Fun Fact:
- Octopuses have three hearts, blue blood, and can change color and texture in milliseconds.
Blue Ringed Octopus
- Common Name:
- Blue Ringed Octopus
- Habitat:
- Coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans
- Diet:
- Carnivore — fish and crustaceans
- Fun Fact:
- One of the most venomous animals on earth
Maryland Blue Crab
- Common Name:
- Maryland Blue Crab
- Habitat:
- Eastern shores of the United States and Pacific coast
- Diet:
- Omnivore — shellfish, small fish, worms, plants, algae
- Fun Fact:
- The Blue Crab is the official state crustacean of Maryland.
Peacock Mantis Shrimp
- Common Name:
- Mantis Shrimp
- Habitat:
- Tropical coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific
- Diet:
- Carnivore — crabs, snails, clams, fish
- Fun Fact:
- Mantis shrimp can see 16 types of color receptors — humans only have 3.
Goliath Birdeater
- Common Name:
- Goliath Tarantula
- Habitat:
- Rainforests of northern South America
- Diet:
- Carnivore — insects, frogs, mice, small birds
- Fun Fact:
- The Goliath birdeater is the world's largest spider by mass, weighing up to 170 g (6 oz).