Weichkörperigen

Weichkörperigen is a German adjective that translates to "soft-bodied" in English. It is used to describe organisms that lack a rigid internal skeleton, such as an exoskeleton or a bony endoskeleton. This characteristic is common among many invertebrate phyla.

Examples of weichkörperigen creatures include animals like worms, slugs, jellyfish, and octopuses. Their soft bodies often allow for greater flexibility and the ability to squeeze through tight spaces, which can be advantageous for locomotion, feeding, and predator avoidance. However, this lack of structural support also makes them more vulnerable to physical damage and predation. Many soft-bodied animals have developed other defense mechanisms, such as camouflage, toxins, or the ability to regenerate lost body parts. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe something or someone lacking in firmness or resolve.