1. the process of shedding or casting off an outer layer, such as skin, feathers, or an exoskeleton, especially in insects, reptiles, and other animals.
Usage: biology term; also called molting

Examples

• During ecdysis, a snake sheds its entire outer skin to allow for growth.
• Insects undergo ecdysis multiple times as they develop from larvae to adults.
• The crab's ecdysis occurs when it outgrows its hard exoskeleton.
• Ecdysis is a critical stage in the life cycle of many arthropods.
• Biologists study ecdysis to understand how animals manage their growth and development.
• The frequency of ecdysis varies depending on the species and environmental conditions.