Monarch Caterpillars
How Monarch Caterpillars Breathe and Grow: A Fascinating Fact
Did you know monarch caterpillars breathe through tiny holes in the sides of their bodies, called spiracles? These spiracles connect to an intricate system of air tubes that deliver oxygen throughout their bodies, no lungs required!
Their growth journey is just as intriguing. As caterpillars grow, they shed their old skin in a process called molting. This involves the old skin peeling back, starting with their head capsule, and being replaced with a softer, newly formed skin that soon hardens to fit their growing bodies. Incredibly, they often eat their shed skin before diving back into their leafy meals!
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