Linked from

The 32 pages that link to Molting, each with the reason it gives.

• MetamorphosisRelated: Insects and other animals often molt as part of metamorphic development.

• CrabRelated: A crab must leave its rigid shell to increase in size.

• ClawRelated: Some animals shed outer claw layers as new keratin forms beneath them.

• CuticleRelated: A cuticle cannot expand continuously, so arthropods periodically shed it.

• Horseshoe crabRelated: A horseshoe crab must molt its exoskeleton as it grows.

• TrilobiteRelated: Trilobites grew by molting, and many fossils preserve shed shells rather than whole carcasses.

• Hermit crabRelated: After molting, a crab may need a larger shell for its expanded body.

• LobsterRelated: Lobsters periodically molt their hard shells, leaving them temporarily vulnerable.

• AcariRelated: Acarine development depends on molts between larval, nymphal, and adult stages.

• TardigradeRelated: Tardigrades molt as they grow and reproduce.

• American lobsterRelated: A lobster must shed its rigid shell as its body grows.

• InvertebrateRelated: Arthropods must shed rigid exoskeletons to increase in size.

• TarantulaRelated: Tarantulas periodically molt to grow and regenerate lost appendages.

• Whiteleg shrimpRelated: This shrimp must molt to grow and periodically becomes vulnerable while its shell hardens.

• BlattodeaRelated: Nymphs molt repeatedly before reaching the adult stage.

• PrawnRelated: Growth in prawns requires periodic shedding of the exoskeleton.

• Snow crabRelated: Snow crabs grow by molting, leaving them temporarily soft-shelled.

• AmblypygiRelated: Amblypygids grow by molting and can regenerate lost appendages across molts.

• Slipper lobsterRelated: A slipper lobster must shed its rigid exoskeleton as it grows.

• Japanese spider crabRelated: Like other crabs, it must molt to increase in size.

• StenopodideaRelated: Like other decapods, stenopodideans must molt to increase in size.

• ArchaeognathaRelated: Bristletails can molt repeatedly even after reaching adulthood.

• OstracodRelated: Ostracods must shed their carapace to grow, leaving successive shells that can enter the fossil record.

• Red king crabRelated: Red king crabs grow by periodically shedding their rigid shells.

• NotostracaRelated: A rigid exoskeleton means notostracans must molt as they increase in size.

• UropygiRelated: A young vinegaroon grows through successive molts before reaching adulthood.

• Chinchilla rabbitRelated: A Chinchilla’s coat may look uneven during seasonal coat replacement.

• ChionoecetesRelated: Chionoecetes crabs grow by periodically replacing their rigid shells.

• Crangon crangonRelated: Like other crustaceans, this shrimp must shed its hard exoskeleton as it grows.

• Pandalus borealisRelated: Shrimp must shed their exoskeleton to grow.

• Procambarus alleniRelated: A molt allows the crayfish to grow and can temporarily leave it vulnerable.

• RhynchocinetidaeRelated: Like other decapods, hinge-beak shrimp must molt as they grow.