Arthropods Facts
Arthropods Facts
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Interesting Arthropods Facts: |
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The exoskeletons of arthropods are jointed which makes it possible for them to move about nimbly. |
Centipedes are a type of arthropod known as a myriapod. Not all centipedes have 100 legs. Millipedes are also arthropods, but despite their name do not have more than 750 legs. |
Arthropods can be divided into 13 classes which include crustaceans, insects, arachnids, centipedes, millipedes, sea spiders, pauropods, symphylans, springtails, proturans, two-pronged bristletails, three-pronged bristletails, and king crabs. |
The exoskeleton of an arthropod is waterproof which makes it possible to survive in harsh conditions. |
After shedding its exoskeleton, an arthropod expands it body to ensure there is enough space before their new exoskeleton begins to harden. |
Arthropods try to molt in a safe environment because they are very vulnerable once they shed their exoskeleton. |
Arthropods exist in the harshest conditions in the world, from very cold places to some of the hottest in the world. A scorpion, which is an arthropod, can survive even after being frozen solid. |
Common arthropods include spiders, insects, mites, ticks, shrimp, lobster, scorpions, crayfish, and barnacles. |
Arthropods are classified as invertebrates because they have no backbone. |
Depending on the species of arthropod, these creatures can fly, or crawl, or creep and live in the water or on dry land. |
Arthropods are often food for other species such as humans or animals. Commonly eaten arthropods include shrimp and lobster as well as crabs. |
It is believed that arthropods evolved half a billion years ago. |
Trilobites, which are the extinct arthropod species, existed during the Paleozoic Era. Today their fossils are some of the most popular among archaeologists. |
It is believed that arthropods likely evolved from an ocean-dwelling creature during the Ediacaran period. It is highly unlikely that this ancestor will ever be identified. |
When an arthropod sheds its skeleton this is referred to as ecdysis. This has to happen at least once in an arthropod's lifetime. |
After an arthropod sheds its exoskeleton, which only takes a few minutes in most cases, the new exoskeleton begins to form within hours. |
Because arthropods are so vulnerable during the molting process it is estimated that approximately 80 to 90% of them are consumed by a predator during this stage. |
Most, although not all arthropods lay eggs to complete reproduction. Some species have both the male and female organs necessary to reproduce, such as the barnacle. |
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