Spider Changing its Trousers!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

That's the problem with those skin-tight trousers... they're a real nuisance to get off.

A spiders body is covered in a hard outer skin known as an exoskeleton, which is really a skeleton, like ours, but on the outside of the body instead of the inside. As the spider's body grows the hard exoskeleton needs to be removed to allow for the expansion. You already knew that, right.

What you're seeing here is a spider climbing out of it's old exoskeleton and revealing the new one beneath. As you can see, wriggling out of multi-legged trousers, is no easy task. It's exhausting for the spider and leaves it vulnerable to predators.

At first the new skin is soft and pliable but after only a short while in contact with the air it becomes firm enough to support the spider's body.

Rank.

How can you say that after that post you put up yesterday with a basket ball??

i dont even wanna know about the basket ball - but this is funny but scary xx

oh my god....you had to see it to believe it...if i had told you about it, you wouldnt of believed me....thats why.

haha, did someone shove it in there mouth or sopmething? xx

or something Jake!

lmao....

clue please? xx

Rhymes with fussy!!

ohhh, now that is just gross xx

I have watched Fluffy shedding her coat on a couple of occasions and it is fascinating.

Hugs

JO x

ooooo no, have you a big furry spider?

OOo not sure if i like .x

What an interesting pic....xx

Scary!:O

Yes I do Tayer love, she is a Curly Haired Tarantula and her ame is Fluffy; she is a lovely, sweet docile little girl. I have the utmost respect for people who are scared of them and realise I am different. There are a few other folks out there however who like them too. The truth is, I love anything furry, no matter what it is LOL!!

Hugs

O xx