Why Do Spiders Molt?
WouterMolting is a natural process for spiders. They need to molt regularly to expand their body and provide more room for growth. However, this requires a lot of energy.
To prepare for molting, spiders secrete hormones, which trigger the shedding of their skin. This allows their new exoskeleton to develop.
The shedding process begins when the spider flips onto its back. As the body gets bigger, the old exoskeleton starts to get stuck. When the new exoskeleton is ready, the spider flexes its muscles and pushes itself out through a crack.
As the new exoskeleton hardens, the spider’s joints become flexible. This allows the spider to move around and escape predators.
The first step in the molting process is the tearing of the cuticle that separates the new exoskeleton from the old. While the shedding process is taking place, the spider absorbs the fluid from the old exoskeleton. These fluids are digested by enzymes in the endocuticle. The nutrients are then reabsorbed into the spider’s body.
A new inner layer of the exoskeleton is also developed during the pre-molt stage. It is separated from the old one by an endocuticle. In addition to being separated from the old one, the new exoskeleton can be folded under the old one to create more space.
The molting process can take days or weeks. It is best to protect the spider during this time. You can do this by providing them with clean enclosures and ensuring that there are no uneaten prey.
