In some animals, the integument of the body changes gradually, while in others, from time to time

In some animals, the integument of the body changes gradually, while in others, from time to time, a rapid change of the entire cover (molt) occurs. What advantages can molting to animals give and what problems can arise in connection with it?

There are several positive aspects to molting. Firstly, molt allows animals to adapt to the surrounding conditions; when winter comes, many mammals molt in order to grow thick and long hair in order to be able to withstand cold conditions, and vice versa shed in spring in order to grow thin and short hair and get rid of overheating of the body. Other animals do the same. In addition, it allows you to replace the color of wool, feathers, and so on with a color close to the color of the surrounding nature, allowing you to better hide from the predator.

But molting also has a negative impact. Moulting animals often weaken and become easy prey. For example, a cancer whose chitinous cover does not grow with it is forced to shed it from time to time in order to grow a new one, corresponding to its size. At this time, he remains completely defenseless against predatory fish.