13. Hard External Skeletons
Insects are protected by a tough outer covering called an exoskeleton, made primarily of chitin.
This exoskeleton acts as armor, shielding them from predators, physical injury, and dehydration.
Unlike humans and other vertebrates, who have internal skeletons, insects rely on this external support for both structure and movement.
When insects grow, they must shed and replace their exoskeleton—a process known as molting.