Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is the process by which some animals change their body shape and structure as they grow from young to adult. This change helps them survive and live differently at each stage of life. It is most common among insects, frogs, and some sea animals. The word comes from Greek roots meaning 'to change form'.

There are two main types of metamorphosis: complete and incomplete. In complete metamorphosis, animals go through four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. A butterfly is a clear example. It starts as an egg, hatches into a larva called a caterpillar, becomes a pupa inside a chrysalis, and finally emerges as an adult butterfly. Each stage looks very different and serves a different purpose. The caterpillar eats and grows, while the adult focuses on reproduction and spreading the species.

In incomplete metamorphosis, animals change less dramatically and have only three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Grasshoppers and dragonflies grow this way. The nymph looks like a smaller version of the adult but without wings. As it grows, the nymph sheds its outer covering, called the exoskeleton, several times until it becomes a full adult.

Frogs also go through metamorphosis. They begin life as eggs in water, hatch into tadpoles with tails and gills, and later grow legs and lungs to live on land. This transformation helps them adapt to new habitats and food sources as they mature.

Metamorphosis is guided by special hormones in the animal’s body that control growth and development. It allows species to use different environments and reduce competition between young and adult forms. For example, caterpillars eat leaves, while adult butterflies feed on nectar. This helps both survive without taking food from each other.

Scientists study metamorphosis to understand how cells and organs change and grow. It provides clues about evolution, development, and how living things adapt to their surroundings. Though not all animals go through metamorphosis, it remains one of nature’s most visible examples of life’s ability to change and grow.