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An exoskeleton, in contrast to an endoskeleton, is an external anatomical feature that supports and protects an animal's body. All arthropods (such as insects, spiders and crustaceans) and many other invertebrate animals (such as shelled mollusks) have exoskeletons. Lobsters, for example, have tough outer shell systems which provide rigidity and shape to their bodies, in addition to an endoskeleton. Exoskeletons are extremely primitive and are usually molted in order for the animal to mature. The endoskeleton of arthropods is continuous with and an extension of the exoskeleton and is shed at the same time as the exoskeleton.