The best known animal species of the forest are probably large mammals, such as the bear and the moose. However, some of the most prominent forest animals are actually invertebrates, such as the mosquito.

Mosquitoes are insects. Insects are invertebratic animals, which means that they do not have internal supporting structures or vertebrae like most other animals, such as we humans, do. The most well-known groups of invertebrates include insects, spiders, and earthworms. 

Despite not having internal skeletons, many invertebrates have exoskeletons. Exoskeletons are external supporting structures. Many insects, like for example beetles, are protected by such a supporting structure. 

Almost 97 percent of the planet's species are invertebrates. 

Picture on the right: Top row: bee, fly and beetle. Middle row: fly, ladybug and ground beetle. Bottom row: wasp, bee and spider.


Ants are the rulers of many forest ecosystems. They are insects. Worker ants do not develop wings.