Some animals breathe through their skin, a process called cutaneous respiration.
Animals that Utilize Cutaneous Respiration
Several animals use their skin as a respiratory surface. Here are some examples detailed from the provided reference:
- Earthworms: These invertebrates primarily rely on their skin for gas exchange.
- Frogs: When in water, frogs can breathe through their moist skin in addition to their lungs.
Cutaneous Respiration Explained
Cutaneous respiration is the process where gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide) occurs across the skin of an animal. This method of breathing is only effective if:
- The skin is thin and moist.
- The animal has a high surface area to volume ratio.
Importance of Moist Skin
Moisture is crucial for cutaneous respiration because oxygen and carbon dioxide need to be dissolved in water to diffuse across the skin's membrane. This explains why earthworms and frogs in aquatic environments depend on moist skin for breathing.
