Invertebrates including insects, spiders, and crustaceans are kept in increasing numbers in zoo collections, raising questions about their welfare needs and capacities.
Invertebrate welfare in zoos is at an early stage of scientific development. Basic environmental requirements including appropriate temperature, humidity, substrate, and refuge provision are the primary welfare considerations for most species. The precautionary principle suggests providing environments that allow natural behaviour expression even where sentience is uncertain. Cephalopods with confirmed legal protection require standards meeting their complex cognitive needs.