Spiracle facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Actias selene 5th instar spiracles sjh
A caterpillar, with lines pointing to spiracles

Insects have small holes in their bodies that allow them to breathe. These holes are called spiracles. Air comes in the spiracles and goes to invertebrate trachea, or tubes.

These tubes take the oxygen to other parts of the insect body. Because insects have no lungs, air comes in and goes out of the spiracles passively (by itself). Some insects can open and close the spiracles to keep water out.

Some spiders also have spiracles.

Sharks and rays have a spiracle behind each eye. When the shark is not moving, the spiracle helps the shark to breathe.

Images for kids

  • Squalus bucephalus JNC2621 Spiracle

    Spiracle of a shark (bighead spurdog, Squalus bucephalus)

  • Taeniura lymma by Marek Jakubowski

    Spiracle of a bluespotted ribbontail ray, Taeniura lymma

  • Spiraclevalves

    Scanning electron micrograph of a cricket spiracle valve


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Spiracle Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.