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molt
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A molting penguin cicada molting teneral cicada in final molting stage
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A molting penguin
A molting penguin A yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) with bare skin showing on its head where feathers have been shed during molt.

molt

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Also known as: molting, moult, moulting, shedding
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Also spelled:
Moult

molt, biological process of molting (moulting)—i.e., the shedding or casting off of an outer layer or covering and the formation of its replacement. Molting, which is regulated by hormones, occurs throughout the animal kingdom. It includes the shedding and replacement of horns, hair, skin, and feathers.

The process of shedding an external skeleton for the purpose of growth or change in shape (see metamorphosis) is called ecdysis; it occurs in such invertebrates as arthropods, nematodes, and tardigrades.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.