An illustration about hydrostatic skeletons:
How do some squishy animals maintain their shape?
(Left to right: an earthworm, an anemone, an octopus, a jellyfish, and a nudibranch)
They have a skeletal system made of one or more water-filled chambers!
(Cross section of an earthworm and an octopus tentacle)
Water pressure inside keeps the chamber supported, like a water balloon!
Hydrostatic skeletons allow boneless animals to...
(An octopus in a bottle) Fit into tight spaces!
(A wiggling worm) Move quickly due to less weight!
(A planarian regrowing itself) Regenerate faster when injured!
Not all skeletons are made of minerals or chitin
#skeletober #inktober #skeleton #hydroskeleton #invertebrates #education #art #SciArt