Crustacea - The Crustaceans
 Crustaceans don't have spines; they are invertebrates and breathe through gills. Crustaceans have segmented bodies like insects! Their bodies are divided three sections - the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. The head has two pair of antennae, a pair of compound eyes, and a pair of mandibles. The have pairs of branched appendages on each segment of their body. They may or may not have appendages on their abdomens. They have an exoskeleton or hard shell that protects the their internal organs. As they grow, they shed their exoskeleton and grow a new one. There are over 31,500 living species of crustaceans. Most species are found in the ocean, but some are found in fresh water and some are even found on land. Species in this subphylum include crabs, lobsters, shrimp, wood lice, and crayfish.
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 Learn more about some of the crustaceans that are found in New Hampshire. >> Click Here |
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