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Classifying Animals

Insects have hard outer coverings

Unlike our skin, the hard outer covering of insects cannot stretch and grow along with the insect. To grow bigger, an insect must shed its hard outer covering in a process called moulting. Its new, and bigger, outer covering take a few minutes to dry and harden, protecting its soft body.

Most adult insects breathe through breathing holes

Tiny holes on the sides of the body of an insect act like windows – opening and closing to take in and give out air!

Insects lay eggs

Some insects such as the mosquito lay eggs in water while other insects such as the butterfly lay eggs on land.

Exceptional insects: The aphid gives birth

Aphids are one of the rare insects that give birth to live young. This allows them to multiply rapidly!