Exuviate

To shed or cast off an outer layer, such as skin, shell, or exoskeleton, during a developmental stage or as a natural process of growth. This biological function allows organisms to expand beyond the limitations of their current covering, enabling them to grow larger or adapt to changing environmental conditions. The process of exuviation can be vital for survival, providing opportunities for regeneration and improved mobility. It is often a vulnerable period for the organism as it is exposed and unprotected during and immediately after the shedding process. This transformation may involve changes in color, structure, or other characteristics of the organism.

Exuviate meaning with examples

• The cicada nymph prepared to exuviate, clinging precariously to the tree bark. Its outer shell split, revealing the soft, developing adult form. This dramatic process, a key part of the insect's life cycle, signaled the transition from a subterranean existence to life in the sun.
• As the crab grew larger, its carapace became too restrictive, prompting the organism to exuviate. The molting process allowed the crab to emerge from its old shell, leaving behind a perfect replica, and revealed its new, larger form underneath.
• Snakes are well-known for their ability to exuviate. The snake used friction to loosen its skin, then it crawled through a tight space to shed its outer layer. The process, often visible as a discarded 'skin' , renews the snake's scales.
• During metamorphosis, the larva of a moth will exuviate several times, each time revealing a new instar or developmental stage. After the final exuviation, the fully formed moth emerges from its chrysalis, ready to reproduce.