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An exoskeleton functions as an insect's skeletal system. Unlike humans who have a skeletal structure on the inside, insects have theirs on the outside. (Exo- Greek for outside, external)

This limits how large insects can get (thank goodness) so, unlike mammals, reptiles and other creatures that have an internal skeletal system, insects can only grow to a certain size due to gravity. The bigger something gets, the more gravity is being exerted on it, so theoretically insects would cave in on themselves if they got too big. This is why lobsters, crabs, and other crustaceans are larger than an average beetle because being underwater allows their exoskeletons to grow a little bit more.

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15y ago

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