Zoo invertebrate exhibits are common and popular, but welfare consideration for insects, arachnids, and other invertebrates in captivity has historically been minimal. This is beginning to change.
Zoo invertebrate welfare is at an early stage of systematic consideration. As evidence for nociception and stress responses in insects and arachnids accumulates, the precautionary principle suggests that zoo husbandry should aim to meet invertebrate needs rather than treating them as exhibits with no welfare relevance. Species-appropriate temperature, humidity, substrate, and social conditions likely affect invertebrate welfare even if the nature of that experience is uncertain. Zoo invertebrate collections have conservation value and provide important public education opportunities - combining these goals with welfare-positive husbandry is both feasible and increasingly expected.