Some amazing creatures have the ability to get rid of their skin and replace it with a fresh new layer. This incredible process is also known as molting and is common among reptiles, amphibians, and even a few mammals. Let’s take a look at 8 amazing animals that shed their skin!
1. Panther Chameleons
First described by French discoverer Georges Cuvier, the panther chameleon was given its name based on its markings. Like many other reptiles, they display sexual dimorphism—meaning males are more vibrantly colored than females. Males are also much larger in size and they use their colors to attract potential mates.
Predominantly located in parts of Madagascar, panther chameleons employ skin shedding throughout its life. They molt to grow and also to remove old skin that may have been infested with parasites. It’s a natural part of their life and also a way of staying healthy! Their skin will peel off in patches and the entire process has been documented to take place over several hours or even days.
2. Garter Snakes
Garter snakes can be found throughout North America, and they live in a range of different habitats, including forests, wetlands, fields, and rocky areas. They have also been found in urban and suburban areas. Due to their small size and low risk of injury to humans, garter snakes are also frequently kept as pets.
Right before molting, owners typically note that their snake’s eyes appear duller or white in color. Gradually, their skin loosens and detaches from the new skin that has grown underneath. Garter snakes that are in good health will shed their skin in one complete piece but incomplete shedding (also known as dysecdysis) can happen if a snake is in a suboptimal environment or nutritionally deficient.
3. Tree Frogs
Like garter snakes, tree frogs are popular pets. True to their name, tree frogs spend most of their lives in trees. They usually do not come down to the ground, unless it is to mate or build nests for reproduction. Unlike reptiles, however, tree frogs can shed their skin in smaller patches rather than undergoing full molts.
Tree frogs will shed their skin as they grow larger in size. Molting is also key to them staying healthy as frogs are very sensitive to the humidity levels in their environments. Interestingly, tree frogs also use their old skins as a source of nutrition—often found eating their skins as they molt.
4. American Lobsters
American lobsters belong to a fascinating collection of animals called crustaceans. Crabs, shrimps, and crayfish also belong to this group. Many crustaceans have hard exteriors, called exoskeletons, which are made of a substance called chiton. They can undergo many rounds of molting, and on average, American lobsters will molt approximately thirty times in their first few years of life.
The process of molting is quite quick for lobsters—it takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Remarkably, after each molt, a lobster can increase in size by about 20 percent. Like tree frogs, they will also often devour their own shells. Their old skins are valuable sources of calcium which helps their new softer shell harden.
5. Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are very social animals that are native to South America. Unlike other animals that shed their skin, guinea pigs only molt twice a year—normally in the spring and autumn when seasons are changing. The springtime shed gives them thinner coats, preparing them for the warmer months, while the autumn molt produces thicker coats for winter.
While reptiles and spiders shed their skins, the molting that guinea pigs experience is a little less extensive. Rather than replacing their skin, they replace their fur to regulate their body temperatures and keep themselves clean.
6. Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are famous for their strength and impressive hunting skills. While many spiders use webs to catch prey, wolf spiders use their sharp eyes and speed to ambush and trap their targets. They thrive in forests, grasslands, and urban regions.
Like lobsters, wolf spiders shed their exoskeletons as they mature. Unbelievably, wolf spiders can also regrow limbs when they are injured. When they molt, spiders have to be extremely careful as their new bodies are soft and delicate. They are also more vulnerable as energy is spent to shed the old exoskeleton.
7. Grasshoppers
If you have ever seen the movie A Bug’s Life, you know just how fearsome grasshoppers can be. They are found all around the world and are known for their strong hind legs that allow them to be expert jumpers.
Each time they shed their exoskeletons; grasshoppers increase in size. They will undergo the process several times until they reach their adult size and have all of their adult parts (for example, their wings and reproductive organs).
8. Elks
Elks do not molt in the same way insects or reptiles do. They will shed their fur, most notably during the transition from winter to spring. Molting allows them to discard their thick winter coats and make way for a lighter, more breathable summer coat.
During the transformation, elks are regularly seen rubbing their bodies against trees to help remove old fur. The new fur that is left behind is shorter and thinner so they can stay cool and comfortable under the summer sun. While this change is slightly less impressive than the molting of other species, it is still a vital adaptation for elk to survive in their habitats.
