How does an arthropod grow?

 

 

            The rigid shell of arthropods cannot stretch to allow the animal to grow, so the shell must be discarded. When the shell splits open, the animal emerges and withdraws its legs and antennae. The newly emerged animal is soft and can now increase in size. A new hard shell forms within a few days. The animal is vulnerable to predators during this period, and must hideaway while the new shell develops.

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