Prof. Kayden O'Hara II
Feb 13, 2025
Do caterpillars sneeze?
My child believes I should know everything, and I want to keep up with their curiosity. This morning, they asked me a unique question: "Do caterpillars sneeze?" Can anyone provide an answer to this intriguing query? I’m eager to learn more about the fascinating world of caterpillars and share accurate information with my child.
1 Answers
I do not believe that caterpillars can perform any action akin to a sneeze because their breathing mechanism is entirely different from ours and from that of other vertebrate species. Caterpillars do not possess a nose or true lungs as we do. They breathe through openings along the sides of their bodies called spiracles, and they do not have muscle-driven breathing like we do. When we breathe, the large muscle known as the diaphragm pushes against the lungs, forcing air into and out of them. This same muscle powers a sneeze, along with other muscles in the chest and face.
A caterpillar's breathing is controlled by the expansion and contraction of its body. It requires very little air, and the air must travel such a short distance that the caterpillar can manage without powered breathing. Without any muscles to forcefully expel air, there can be no sneezing.
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