A hard protective structure that forms on the outside of an animal's body, like the shell of an insect or crustacean.
From Greek 'ektos' (outside) and 'skeleton' (dried body), referring to skeletal structures that develop externally. Distinguished from endoskeleton (internal bones).
Insects, crabs, and beetles all wear their skeletons on the outside like armor—an ectoskeleton makes them lightweight and super-flexible compared to humans with our internal bone structure!
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