Moulting (Noun)
Meaning
Periodic shedding of the cuticle in arthropods or the outer skin in reptiles.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The tarantula is in a vulnerable state during moulting, as it takes several hours for the new exoskeleton to harden completely.
- Many reptiles, including snakes and lizards, undergo moulting to replace their worn-out skin with a new layer.
- The process of moulting allows arthropods to grow by increasing the surface area of their exoskeleton.
- Moulting is an essential part of an insect's life cycle, as it allows for the growth and replacement of its external body parts.
- Spiders go through a process of moulting, shedding their skin as they grow and develop new body parts.