Moult
In arthropods, such as insects, arachnids and crustaceans, molting describes the shedding of the exoskeleton, typically to allow for further growth. See ecdysis.
The Process of Moulting with Spiders - especially Tarantulas
Before moulting, some spiders will not eat for weeks, while others will eat up to the moment of moulting. Likewise, after a moult, some spiders will not eat for days or even weeks.
* The moulting commences, when a split appears on the side of a carapace part of the Cephalothorax (head and upper body)
* The split continues horizontally along the Opisthosoma (abdomen) and opens like a box
* The spider pushes its body out of the old skin, after which it withdraws its legs from it
* The spider will rest for a period of time, varying from minutes for spiderlings, to more than a day for a large mature Tarantula
Moulting in Insects
Insects need to molt as they grow because their hard exoskeletons do not allow much room for expansion. Each stage in the development of an insect between moults is called an instar, or stadium.Moulting in Arachnids
The exoskeleton of an arachnid is hard. This does not allow for growth. To overcome this problem, spiders will shed their old exoskeletons, allowing a new and larger one to replace it. The new larger exoskeleton fits underneath the old one, because it is still elastic. A layer of fluid separates the new and old skeletons. As the old skeleton is shed, the new one will expand to its full size, before hardening out on contact with air. The arachnid will have to flex its new exoskeleton, or it will become inflexible and less mobile until its next moult. Other reasons for moulting are damaged tissue and missing limbs. Over a series of moults, a missing limb can be regenerated, the stump being a little larger with each mould until it is of normal size again. After moulting, the exoskeleton is still delicate and the arachnid is vulnerable to predators or even its own prey.The Process of Moulting with Spiders - especially Tarantulas
Before moulting, some spiders will not eat for weeks, while others will eat up to the moment of moulting. Likewise, after a moult, some spiders will not eat for days or even weeks.
* The moulting commences, when a split appears on the side of a carapace part of the Cephalothorax (head and upper body)
* The split continues horizontally along the Opisthosoma (abdomen) and opens like a box
* The spider pushes its body out of the old skin, after which it withdraws its legs from it
* The spider will rest for a period of time, varying from minutes for spiderlings, to more than a day for a large mature Tarantula
Source: wikipedia, under GFDL
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