Life Cycles

What Is a Life Cycle?#

All living things — animals, plants, and even tiny insects — go through stages of life. They are born, they grow, they have babies of their own, and eventually they die. This is called a life cycle.

A life cycle is the series of changes a living thing gös through during its lifetime. The word "cycle" means it gös around in a circle — the babies of one generation grow up and have babies of their own, continuing the cycle forever.

All Living Things Share These Steps:#

1. Born or hatched — Every animal begins its life somehow. Some hatch from eggs. Others are born live from their mother.
2. Grow and develop — Young animals eat, grow, and change over time.
3. Reproduce — When they are adults, they have young of their own.
4. Die — Eventually, every living thing reaches the end of its life.

Why Are Life Cycles Important?#

Life cycles help us understand how animals survive and how populations are maintained. If every animal stopped reproducing, the species would disappear!

Different animals have very different life cycles. Some animals look completely different at the beginning of their life compared to when they are adults. This dramatic change is called metamorphosis (say: met-ah-MORE-fo-sis).

Types of Metamorphosis#

• Complete metamorphosis — the animal gös through four very different stages: egg, larva, pupa, adult. Butterflies and frogs use this type.
• Incomplete metamorphosis — the young look like tiny versions of the adults and gradually grow. Grasshoppers and crickets are examples.

In this lesson, we will look at three exciting life cycles: the butterfly, the frog, and the bird. Each one is unique and amazing in its own way!