Several animals breathe through their skin, including earthworms, amphibians such as frogs, and some smaller invertebrates like sponges, corals, jellyfish, and worms. This type of respiration is known as cutaneous respiration, where gas exchange occurs directly across the skin.
Animals that rely on cutaneous respiration typically have moist skin to facilitate the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide. In the case of amphibians, their skin is also highly vascularized, meaning it has a rich network of blood vessels that allow for efficient gas exchange.
Here are some additional insights about animals that breathe through their skin:
- Earthworms have a thin, moist skin that allows for the absorption of oxygen from the surrounding environment.
- Amphibians like frogs can breathe through their skin both on land and in water. However, they also use their lungs for respiration, especially when they are on land.
- Small invertebrates like sponges and corals rely entirely on cutaneous respiration for their oxygen needs.
It is important to note that most mammals, including humans, do not breathe through their skin. However, some newborn mammals may exhibit a small amount of cutaneous respiration for a brief period.
