It represents a part of the morphology of some vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Behaving as a highly protective cover against the environment that surrounds them, threats or predators. That is why the fauna surprises through the shelled animals. Discover them here.
Shelled Animals
Day by day nature presents its magic and majesty through its Flora and fauna. With which it is possible to delve into impressive and fascinating reliefs that constitute plant life. As well as some vertebrate and invertebrate animals.
Where their morphologies, are with remarkably differentiated and specific features, as is the case of the shelled animals. That they have this peculiar cover that serves as a protective shield, not only from the environment and its incidents, but also from the possible threat of their predators. Allowing them, many times to get away with it, by putting their skills into practice, while protecting themselves with their particular cover.
To get an idea of what it represents in the animal that carries it, the shell, according to the Royal Spanish Academy of Language, is:
“Hard cover, of a different nature depending on the case, that protects the body of certain animals, such as protozoa, crustaceans and turtles.”
In this sense, this element, depending on the species of animal, can be visualized and presented in rigid or flexible forms. It can also be unique and permanent, as is the case with turtles. Also, the animal can shed as it grows and develops, as is the case with crabs, or cover it up to its legs, as happens with lobsters.
It should be noted that the cover or protective shield that molluscs carry in their morphology is called "shell" and not shell. Given that this shell has a different structure, composed and formed by a "mineral tissue". Which achieves its development through the "mantle" that the same animal secretes. Thus achieving that the mollusk in question can survive and also protect its body, which is soft in structure.
How is your training in Animals with Shells?
According to the species, one has to shelled animals, they have it in their morphology, as part of their internal skeleton or their external skeleton. This means the following:
internal skeleton
It is known that, in the kingdom of the group of vertebrate animals, there are both bony and cartilaginous skeletons. What is, what is called endoskeleton. Being also separated, segmented or sectioned, in trunk and limbs, with growth parallel to the development of the animal. Initiating its development during the embryo stage.
Where these, in regard to their morphology, which is their shape and structure, have the shell attached to what is the rib cage and the spine. Becoming, in this way, the shell itself, the same set that integrates the internal skeleton of the animal.
External Skeleton
The external skeleton is characterized by handling in its structure or morphology, less incidence with respect to the animal itself. This external skeleton is called exoskeleton, or dermoskeleton and fulfills the function of covering the surface of the animal's body.
Having to meet the requirements, to provide shelter, also breathing and many others. Producing, granting, facilitating and adapting the required support in relation to the muscular and internal structure of the animal. As well as, to protect them from environmental incidents, such as humidity or extreme heat, among others. An example of these are some molluscs and crustaceans.
Functions Granted by the “Shell”
Among the various functions it represents, in the shelled animals, the following are highlighted:
- It provides and implies shelter, shelter, protection and even help, in the presence of normal predators.
- It covers, favors and protects, before the daily incidence of the environment.
- It serves as a protective shield for the internal organs of the animal.
- It grants, admits and enables animals with shells an optimal suitability or biological adaptation to the environment that surrounds them.
Examples of Animals with an Internal Shell
They are an example of animals with internal skeleton, that is, integrated into the spinal column or backbone, which offers protection to the muscles, organs and nervous system. Receiving the name of endoskeleton, the following:
Bat
Chiroptera or commonly called "bats", whose scientific name is "Chiroptera", is characterized by being a placental mammalian animal that has its internal shell, providing protection to its organs. Its upper limbs have a development in the form of wings.
It is the only mammal, from the group of animals with a shell, that has the peculiarity of being able to fly. It is an excellent controller of pests, as well as insects. Also including in their diet, fruits, flowers, carrion, small vertebrates, fish, amphibians, birds, reptiles, among others. That will vary according to the species, availability and location.
Swordfish
The swordfish or also called "palá needle", whose scientific name is "Xiphias gladius". It is a species of peciform fish, which is the highest order of vertebrates, belonging to the “Xiphiidae” family. It has a flattened and very long beak, which puts it to good use when defending itself.
It feeds on squid, tuna, flying fish, barracuda, mackerel, among others. Among its behavior, it is the depths in the daytime hours, changing to the areas near the surface at night. It is an animal that is part of those that are fished for sport.
Toad
The toad, scientifically "Bufonidae", is a group of amphibians, which belongs to a class of vertebrates. Their skin is rough and dry, which is the main difference from frogs, which have smooth and moist skin. On the other hand, these shelled animals internally, they are characterized by walking instead of jumping, being an evidence, the short length of their legs.
They are found in any type of habitat. They do not have teeth. Its development takes place through metamorphosis. Starting by being a tadpole, without legs and breathing through gills. Until finally the breathing becomes pulmonary, it develops legs and the initial tail disappears. It feeds on spiders, ants, termites, among others.
Examples of Animals with an External Shell
Are examples of shelled animals external, that is, provided with an external structure that covers the body of the animal, providing it with the necessary protection. Being able to also be flexible, receiving the name of exoskeleton, the following:
Bees
Bees, whose scientific name is "Anthophila", is a class of invertebrate animals, belonging to the phylum of arthropods. Which has in its structure, three pairs of legs, two antennas and two pairs of wings. Its wings are also membranous, hence it is called "hymenoptera". Its exoskeleton is composed of "chitin", providing stability, in addition to giving protection to the parts in which the body is divided.
It is characterized by being a social insect, which lives in swarms, composed of a queen bee, worker bees, which are infertile, and drones, which are the males. They generally feed on pollen and nectar from flowers, which also allows them to provide food for the larvae.
crabs
Crabs are crustaceans identified with the scientific name of "Brachyura". These are part of the animals with a shell, provided with an exoskeleton, whose component is "chitin". That provides protection as a shield. In its structure there are five pairs of legs, one of them being developed as a pincer, with which it can take food or perform another action, such as defense.
Regarding its diet, it belongs to the group of Omnivorous animals. It takes as food everything it finds in its path, such as worms, other crustaceans, tiny fish, molluscs, among others. It is a great opportunist, so instead of hunting, it prefers to wait for the movement of the water to throw the food onto its legs, calmly.
Mites
The mite, also called acarina, belongs to a subclass "Acari", of the arachnids. Having that the class to which they belong, is that of the arthropods. Being both aquatic and terrestrial and capable of transmitting, depending on the species, a number of diseases. This belongs to the shelled animals, which includes a fairly diverse diet, according to the species, among which the following stand out:
- Hematophagous (of blood)
- Detritivores or saprophagous (of organic matter)
- herbivorous
Example of Animals with Inner and Outer Shells
The fauna is so diverse, fascinating and amazing, that it also includes shelled animals internal and external, that is, endoskeleton and exoskeleton. Among which are the following:
armadillos
Armadillos, whose scientific name is “Dasypodidae”. It is a placental mammal, belonging to the order “Cingulata”. That it has an endoskeleton that allows it to give the internal organs the necessary protection, as well as an exoskeleton, as an external armor. Which is composed of juxtaposed bony plates, which are normally arranged in transverse rows.
It is one of the animals with a shell that has the ability or particularity to roll up, remaining with a shape that resembles a ball that allows it to be totally protected from external agents, which may induce some danger, as well as from aggression. that its predators can cause. Its behavior is widely nocturnal, being also an excellent digger. It feeds on insects, carrion and plants, making it an insectivorous and omnivorous animal.
Pangolins
Pangolins, whose genus is "Manis", is a "felidoto" placental mammal. Its body is covered with large scales, almost entirely, which is its exoskeleton. Besides, internally in its structure, there is its endoskeleton that provides protection to its organs. Like the armadillo, it has the ability to roll up into a ball or ball shape.
Which they execute to protect themselves from something that suggests danger, threat or their predators. On the other hand, these shelled animalsThey do not have teeth, so they cannot chew. They basically feed on ants or termites, which they take with their long sticky tongue. Normally he is seen accompanied when he has a partner, because he is an animal that prefers solitude.
