And groups close to them. In most of these animals, molting is regulated by the hormone ecdysone. Since, according to molecular phylogenetics, these groups are related to each other, in Lately they are combined under the name Ecdysosoa- Shedding. In these groups, molting is reduced to periodic shedding and replacement of the cuticle. Before molting, the inner layers of the old cuticle dissolve, and underneath the hypodermal cells secrete a new cuticle. After a molt, the animal rapidly increases in size (usually by absorbing water or "inflating" with air) until the new cuticle hardens, after which growth ceases until the next molt (periodic growth).

Nematodes have larvae that molt (usually there are four larval stages); adult nematodes do not grow or molt. In most groups of arthropods (crustaceans, spiders, etc.), molting and growth continue throughout life.

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Synonyms:

See what “Molt” is in other dictionaries:

Periodic change of outer skin and decomposition. their formations (cuticles, scales, wool, feathers, etc.) in animals. It can be age-related (passes in the first months of life), seasonal (during certain seasons of the year) and constant (throughout... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary

Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

Synonym dictionary

MOLT MOLT

periodic change of outer skin and misc. their formations (cuticles, scales, wool, feathers, etc.) in animals. It can be age-related (passes in the first months of life), seasonal (during certain seasons of the year) and constant (throughout the whole year). The onset of L. depends on the stage of development, age, hormonal state of the body, as well as on external conditions. environment - temperature, photoperiod and other factors. In invertebrates L. (characteristic of age-related L. mainly for arthropods) consists of periodic. the larva shedding the old cuticular cover and replacing it with a new one. Regulated by hormones - ecdysone, juvenile, brain and sinus glands. L. provides the ability to change the shape and increase the size of the animal’s body, which grows until the newly formed cover (exoskeleton) becomes tight and begins to inhibit growth, then the animal sheds again. In insects, the number of flies varies from 3 (flies) or 4-5 (orthoptera, bugs, butterflies, etc.) to 25-30 (mayflies, stoneflies). In vertebrates L. is associated with adaptation to certain seasons of the year and the restoration of worn-out integuments. Regulated by hormones of the endocrine system. In amphibians and reptiles, phlegm consists of shedding and renewing the upper stratum corneum of the skin and occurs throughout the summer, and their frequency (from 2 to 6) depends on the temperature of the environment. In amphibians, lizards, and snakes, the ligament covers all parts of the body at the same time (in snakes, the upper keratinized layer of skin - the protrusion - comes off entirely). In crocodiles and turtles, the molt is partial (in turtles, parts of the body that are not covered by a shell molt). Birds molt feathers, as well as horny formations on their legs and beak. Beginning of L. in plural. birds is associated with changes in day length; Moreover, the periods of flight, reproduction, and migration are usually separated. in time. Types of L. are different. So, when the chick emerges from the egg, it is dressed in embryonic down, which is replaced by the so-called. nesting plumage of contour feathers, then complete or partial post-nesting feathering occurs. The replacement of all feathers usually takes place by the end of summer, when the beautiful breeding plumage is replaced by less bright winter plumage. In certain groups (Anseriformes, rails, cranes, etc.), the tail feathers and flight feathers fall out simultaneously with the coverts, as a result of which the bird loses the ability to fly (for example, ducks - for 20-35 days, swans - for almost 1, 5 months). Sedentary small birds have more feathers in their winter plumage than in their summer plumage, which provides better thermal insulation in winter (for example, siskins have 2100-2400 feathers in winter, and about 1500 in summer). In mammals, age-related and seasonal hair loss is accompanied by a change in hair coat (for example, the soft hair of a young individual is replaced by the coarser hair of an adult animal), changes in its thickness (more than doubled in winter) and color. In typical shrews (mole, mole rat), the hairline of which wears out quickly, except seasonally, sometimes - constant, so-called compensatory, L., promoting the restoration of hair. Animals living in conditions with sudden changes cold winter and hot summers, shed quickly, inhabitants of the tropics and semi-aquatic animals (muskrat, nutria, sea otter) - gradually. Most mammals molt twice a year - in spring and autumn, some animals (for example, seals, marmots, ground squirrels, jerboas) - once.

.(Source: “Biological Encyclopedic Dictionary.” Editor-in-chief M. S. Gilyarov; Editorial Board: A. A. Babaev, G. G. Vinberg, G. A. Zavarzin and others - 2nd ed., corrected - M.: Sov. Encyclopedia, 1986.)

molt

Periodic change of external integument (chitinous, cuticular, scaly, plumage and fur) in animals. Characteristic of arthropods and terrestrial vertebrates. It can be permanent, seasonal and age-related. Constant shedding occurs throughout the year, seasonal shedding occurs in certain seasons, and age-related shedding occurs more often at an early stage of an animal’s life. The onset of molting depends on internal (age, stage of development, physiological state, etc.) and external (temperature and humidity, length of daylight hours, etc.) factors. The molting process is regulated by hormones.
Arthropods are characterized by ch. arr. age-related molting, in which the old cuticular cover is shed and a short time increased body growth is replaced by a new, stretchable one. In various insects, from 3 to 25-30 age moults can occur.
In vertebrates, molting can be seasonal or constant, the so-called. compensatory, associated with the restoration of constantly wearing out body coverings (for example, in a mole, whose hairline quickly wears out due to its burrowing lifestyle). Amphibians and reptiles shed the upper stratum corneum of their skin throughout the summer (from 2 to 6 times), depending on the temperature of their environment. The molting of snakes is peculiar: the surface layer of skin, having begun to separate on the jaws, gradually comes off entirely, turning inside out, forming the so-called. crawl out. Transparent fused eyelids also change. In lizards, molting occurs in parts, in patches. In turtles, molting occurs in areas free of shell.
In birds, molting can occur 2 or 3 times a year, which is associated with seasonal polymorphism and the change from breeding plumage to winter plumage and vice versa. Some birds molt gradually without losing their ability to fly. Others, mainly inhabitants of forests and bushes from the family. chickens, shed old feathers quickly, so during the molting period they cannot fly and hide in the thickets. Ducks, geese, swans, loons and rails lose all the flight feathers on their wings and tail feathers, and therefore are not capable of flight for quite a long time (up to 1-1.5 months). At this time, they usually gather in huge flocks in remote, hard-to-reach places. When birds molt, the structure and number of feathers change: by winter, their number and density increases by about 1.5 times, and the downy layer increases.
Mammals molt 1-2 times a year, with one coat of hair being replaced by another, for example. winter - summer and vice versa; the soft hair of cubs is a coarser coat characteristic of adults. The speed of molting directly depends on the speed of change from cold winter to hot summer.

.(Source: “Biology. Modern illustrated encyclopedia.” Chief editor A. P. Gorkin; M.: Rosman, 2006.)

Synonyms:

See what "MOLTING" is in other dictionaries:

MOLTING, the process of shedding and replacing the outer layers of the body's integument. Mammals shed their outer layers of skin and hair when they shed, often during certain seasons of the year. A person does not shed, however, he constantly sheds dead dry hair... ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

MOLTING, molting, many. no, female (specialist.). Same as shedding. Molting of the beast. Autumn molt. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

Noun fading Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Context 5.0 Informatics. 2012. molting noun, number of synonyms: 2 molting (3) ... Synonym dictionary

The quality of fur directly depends on the time of year. In winter, animals have thick and fluffy fur, which protects the animal from the adverse effects of frost. In summer, the hairline becomes coarser, lower and sparse. People call the time when animals change their hair coat molting.

U
Each type of animal molts differently, depending on their appearance
life. For example, some fur-bearing animals do not fall into hibernation, but are active
way of life, and throughout the year. Such animals, as a rule,
Two molts occur - one in the spring, and the second with the onset of autumn.

Winter
Thick fur falls out with the onset of spring, and rare summer fur begins to appear.
fur, so spring shedding is more noticeable. Spring molting, unlike autumn molting, occurs faster. Autumn shedding for some
animals proceeds almost unnoticed. This is due to the fact that it is rare
Summer fur falls out quite slowly. Winter fur is tall and thick, which is why it
different from summer fur. Winter fur has more downy and covering hairs, there are
There are also differences in coloring.

U
some fur-bearing animals have winter fur
lighter color than summer fur, and some animals have hair
Winter and summer fur are very different in color. The squirrel has summer fur
bright red or dark brown (sometimes even black) color, and with
with the onset of winter, the fur becomes gray,
dark gray or bluish-gray color, but the color does not change on the belly,
remains white. The fur color changes with the seasons and the white fox, ermine,
the white hare and the weasel. Their winter fur is pure white, and in the summer fur
takes on a brownish color.

Winter
the fur of the brown hare has partial lightening, while the fur of northern animals turns whiter,
whereas in southern animals the lightening of the fur is weaker. In Vologda
region, the fur of brown hares turns white almost entirely during the winter, and that of the brown hares of Transcaucasia
the fur remains brown. Due to shedding
In some fur-bearing animals, the thickness and height of the hair coat changes. Coverts
hair and fluff in winter period longer, the first 1.5 times, the second 2 times.

U
different types the thickness of the fur varies unequally. The fur of aquatic animals is thick
animals in different seasons is almost the same. But land animals have fur
on the ridge in winter it is 2 times thicker than in summer. Summer fur, in
the difference from the winter one is rougher, it all depends on the thickness, length, ratio
amount of fluff and covering hair. In winter there are more downy hairs than cover hairs
approximately 2.5 times.

Spring
Shedding in some fur-bearing animals begins with dulling of the hair,
which becomes more brittle and dry. During this period, the hair roots are
shallow from the surface of the skin, when the connection between the hair roots and the skin becomes
weaker, they fall out. The covering hair falls out first, exposing the down,
which after a while falls off and begins to fall out in shreds. New hair
the cover begins to grow when rapid destruction of the fur occurs. At first
covering hair grows, then down grows. Mezdra during the formation of new hair
darkens and thickens.

Reason
the appearance of dark spots on the flesh is a coloring matter - a pigment that
appears in the hair follicle and which shines through the skin. However, the mezdra
It darkens only when the dyed hair grows. If white fur grows
color, the flesh does not darken. Over time, the flesh becomes thinner and lighter,
place with fully formed hair
takes on its usual color and thickness. Mezdra skins in both winter and summer
clean and thin.

Spring
Many fur-bearing animals that do not hibernate begin molting
on the front legs and head, then spreads to the neck, hind legs and
shoulder blades. Then shedding begins on the front of the ridge, on the sides and hips,
then the belly and the back of the ridge molt, the tail and rump molt last
queue. In spring, the quality of the skin decreases, as a result of which its
value.

In
During the autumn molt, summer fur begins to be replaced by winter fur. Begins
change of hair at this time of year from the fact that in the thickness of the skin
first the covering hairs, then the fluff. By this time the skin thickens significantly,
and the destruction of summer fur is practically not noticeable. Moreover, the skin in places
where new dark-colored hair grows begins to turn blue.

Leather
during adolescence white hair During the autumn molting period it thickens. Teenager
new winter hair grows to the length of the old one, thereby forming
mixed fur. Especially it becomes
noticeable in those animals that have summer dark hair against the background of growing white hair
winter hair is clearly visible. Over time, summer hair falls out, and winter hair
continues to grow to its normal length. Mezdra by this time becomes
clean and subtle.

Autumn
molting begins from the places where spring molting ends, that is, from
tail and rump, then the back of the ridge and belly, then the hips and sides,
and lastly the front part of the ridge.

Height
winter hair in some fur-bearing animals starts from the tail, then moves to
paws and head. The same sequence is observed when the summer falls
hair The quality of the skin after the autumn molt gradually improves, along with
This increases the cost of the skin.

The change of coat and closely related changes in the skin are a very subtle biological process that initially ensures the preservation of the integrity of the body integument, as the main protective formation of mammals. Guard hairs, guide hairs, and partly downy hairs, brushes of elastic hair on the soles of the feet and other relatively delicate formations, often in contact with the substrate and surrounding objects, quickly wear out. Premature, severe wear of the fur occurs in the corsac fox ( Vulpes corsac), hiding for the day in dense reed thickets, near the sable ( Martes zibellina), often hiding in narrow passages between stones, near a mole digging the ground ( Talpa europaea) etc. During the molting process, these defects are eliminated.

While in amphibians and reptiles - animals with an unstable body temperature, the change of integument simultaneously covers all its parts, in warm-blooded animals - birds and mammals, during molting, as a rule, the integument of individual parts of the body is successively replaced. This feature is associated with the complication of the structure and functions of the integument.

The development of new fur begins with the laying of guard hairs, from the bursae of which, it is believed, the rudiments of down hairs bud off. The process of hair replacement does not proceed in the same way in different groups of mammals. In predatory animals, the germ of a new hair is formed from the cells of the bottom of the old bulb. As the new hair grows, it pushes out the old one, which has separated from the bulb but remains in the hair follicle for quite a long time. In rodents, the formation of new hair buds occurs completely independently of the old hair follicles that fall out. Therefore, in contrast to predatory ones, the hair groups of their new fur do not correspond to those of the old one.

Pattern of molting on the flesh of a steppe mouse ( Sicista subtilis). Thanks to the different intensity of pigmentation of the new hair follicles, the location and width of the dark and light stripes on the back of the animal are accurately reflected. (According to Barabash-Nikiforov and Formozov, 1963.) Pigment grains are concentrated in the buds of new hair. Translucent through the subcutaneous tissue, they give a bluish color to the mesra (lower surface of the skin). Since molting usually does not occur simultaneously in different areas, but in a certain sequence, a characteristic pattern is formed on the flesh - a molting pattern, consisting of the so-called. molt spots. By their location and shape, one can judge the onset of one or another stage of molting. With the growth of hair, which removes pigment from the skin, the inner skin becomes lighter, proceeding in the same sequence as its darkening. The flesh, completely cleared of spots, is a sign of the end of the molting process. Naturally, with the development of white (pigment-free) hair, molting spots do not form on the undergrowth.

Successive stages of change in the color of the flesh during the autumn molt of the common squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris) (according to Barabash-Nikiforov and Formozov, 1963). Molting is often associated with a change in the structure of the fur and its color, sometimes expressed very sharply. Other structures are also subject to change. Thus, during molting, the dermis is loosened by the developing rudiments of new hair and accordingly thickens; during intermolting periods it becomes denser. The fat layer, highly developed in winter, thins out or completely disappears by summer. During the molting period, the need for mineral nutrition and vitamins also increases, protein metabolism increases, and excitability increases. Thus, the entire animal’s body participates in the physiological process associated with molting.

It has been established that the mechanism of molting is based on the hormonal effects of the pituitary gland and thyroid gland. The pituitary gland acts on the thyroid gland, and its hormone thyroidin causes the molting of protective and thermally insulating integuments. But these processes are not autonomous; they are controlled and influenced external environment.

The main factor influencing seasonal molting is temperature regime. However, the stimulator for the onset of this process is a change in the duration and intensity of illumination, acting through visual perception on the pituitary gland. In the white hare ( Lepus timidus), for example, molting primarily depends on photoperiodism, and temperature is a factor that accelerates or delays hair change. Under experimental conditions, by shortening or extending the duration of illumination, it is possible to change the timing of molting and greatly accelerate the maturation of fur, which is of significant economic importance for fur-bearing species. Thus, by reducing the duration of daylight hours in summer, i.e., during the period of the longest natural daylight hours, it is possible to accelerate the maturation of winter fur in minks by more than a month ( Mustela lutreola) and foxes ( Vulpes vulpes).
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Moulting reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). It has been suggested that the white hare ( Lepus timidus), ermine ( Mustela erminea) and arctic fox ( Vulpes lagopus) summer fur does not fall out during the autumn molt, but remains throughout the winter, growing and depigmenting. However, it turned out that the winter outfit consists entirely of newly developed hair, which has a different size and shape than summer hair. The density of hair and the ratio of their categories in summer and winter fur are also not the same. So, the squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris) per 1 sq. cm rump has an average of 4200 hairs in summer, 8100 in winter, the same for the white hare ( Lepus timidus) - 8000 and 14700. The length of hair in millimeters on the rump is as follows: for a squirrel in summer: fluff - 9.4, spine - 17.4, in winter: 16.8 and 25.9; the same for the white hare: in summer: down - 12.3, awn - 26.4, in winter: 21.0 and 33.4. The brown hare ( Lepus europaeus) per 1 sq. cm in summer, the average number of guard hairs is 382, ​​intermediate - 504, downy - 8156 with an average length of the latter 18.5 mm. In winter, the same series of numbers looks like this: 968, 1250 and 18012, the average length of the underfur hair is 22.2 mm. Just for 1 sq. cm in summer there are 9042 hairs, and in winter 20240. Thus, the density of the coat more than doubles, which is mainly due to a sharp increase in the number of downy hairs.

No less dramatic are the seasonal changes in fur of the desert-dwelling Central Asian ground squirrel ( Spermophilopsis leptodactylus). During the winter, this animal does not hibernate and is thus active both in summer, when the sand heats up to 60-80 °C, and in winter, when the temperature is sufficiently high. severe frosts. His summer hair looks more like short, flat needles that fit tightly to his body. On the back there are number of guard and guide hairs per 0.25 square meters. cm - 217, intermediate and down - 258, total - 475 with a length from 1 to 7.5-8.5 mm. The same in winter: guard hairs, guide hairs, intermediate hairs - 132, down hairs - 1109, total - 1241. The length of winter hair reaches from 9.2 mm to 18.1-20.9 mm; they are soft and silky. The delicate winter fur of the ground squirrel is very different from the hard and rough summer fur. Such a strongly pronounced seasonal dimorphism of fur in this species is quite consistent with the large annual temperature range of the sandy desert.
Timing of molting of small insectivores and rodents in Karelia (according to Ivanter et al., 1985):

a - spring, b - juvenile, c - autumn, d - compensatory, d - summer. In mammals that hibernate (most ground squirrels ( Spermophilus), marmots ( Marmota) etc.), and also in seals, molting occurs once a year, in spring and summer. On the other hand, among earth-diggers of the temperate zone, whose hair wears out especially quickly in some places due to constant friction in the narrow passages of burrows, in addition to the two usual molts, a third molt is observed - restorative, or compensatory. Unlike ordinary shedding, it affects only areas of the fur that are subject to intense wear. Such restorative molting can be observed in moles (T alpa), mole rats ( Spalax) and mole voles ( Ellobius). It is mainly confined to the summer period, but is partially observed (in moles) in winter. Shrews living in warm regions make do with only compensatory molting.

In mammals that do not experience a sharp change in seasonal conditions (inhabitants of tropical countries, semi-aquatic forms), there are no seasonal differences in the hairline or they are insignificant; molting proceeds unnoticed, often in the form of the loss of old hair and the appearance of new hair extended throughout the year.
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Seasonal changes in hair color in ermine ( Mustela erminea) (after Carrington, 1974). Weasel living in northern Eurasia ( Mustela nivalis) also turns white in winter. In areas with short or little snow winters as warm (south Western Europe, southern Ukraine, Transcaucasia, many regions of Central Asia), and frosty (Mongolia) winter weasel fur becomes thicker than summer fur, but, with rare exceptions, retains its brown or reddish-gray color. In conditions Central Europe summer color, as a rule, remains the same, but if it changes, it is not much, and large or small white spots appear.

On the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic Circle, the mountain hare ( Lepus timidus) can be seen in white fur from approximately October 20 to May 20; stable snow cover in the forest lies on average from October 31 to May 21 (from October 4 to October 31 there are frequent snowfalls, but the cover is unstable - at times it disappears, appears again, etc.). In Russia terms spring molt White hare approximately coincides with a period of intense snow melting and snow melting, and autumn - with the “pre-winter” - a time of cold rains, giving way to increasingly frequent snowfalls. Greenland hare ( Lepus arcticus groenlandicus) wears white winter fur most of the year, and its summer fur is not brown, but almost white, only slightly smoky on the back. On the other hand, the geographical races of white hare that penetrated North America along mountain ranges to the south, in areas with little snow in the USA, they do not turn white for the winter. Of the European forms, the Scottish hare ( Lepus timidus scoticus) is brownish-gray in summer, pure white in winter, but with short and not lush fur, and the Irish hare ( Lepus timidus hibernicus) becomes noticeably grayer in autumn; only a few individuals become white.
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White hare ( Lepus timidus) in winter attire. The influence of the external environment on the timing of molting and on the nature of seasonal hair dimorphism is proven by the practice of acclimatization of mammals. For example, in species exported from countries in the northern hemisphere and released in Australia, New Zealand and South America, the timing of molting, as well as hibernation and reproduction, gradually shifted. Animals released into areas with relatively harsher conditions than in their homeland acquired more luxuriant winter fur (for example, the raccoon dog ( Nyctereutes procyonoides) in a number of areas former USSR). On the contrary, acclimatized species that found themselves in a relatively warm climate (Teleut squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris exalbidus) in Crimea and the Altai squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris altaicus) in the Caucasus), have lost their characteristic delicate and tall fur: it has become coarser and shorter. It is interesting that snowshoe hares, captured in Norway and released in the middle of the 19th century on the Faroe Islands, during the first period of acclimatization still wore a white winter outfit, and now in the cold half of the year they wear reddish-brown fur, similar to summer. In snowless winters, a white outfit is unprofitable because it is too noticeable; Over the course of about a century, the island population lost this useless and perhaps even harmful feature of the seasonal outfit.

In addition to enhancing heat-insulating properties and maintaining the relevance of masking properties, the hairline of many species during autumn molting acquires a number of other features that are necessary and beneficial specifically in winter conditions. For example, the structure of the cuticle of the guard and guide hairs of the winter fur of the wolverine ( Gulo gulo) is such that even in the most severe frosts frost does not settle on them. This is also typical for the guard hairs of the fox tail ( Vulpes vulpes) and arctic fox ( Vulpes lagopus). Both of the latter species, when resting in the snow, curl up and cover their heads with their tail (the muzzle is covered with relatively very short fur and, naturally, should suffer more from the cold). If frost formed from breathing settled on the tail hairs, these animals would inevitably freeze head to tail and damage the coat upon awakening.
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Successive stages of molting of the common squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris) (according to Barabash-Nikiforov and Formozov, 1963):
A - spring; B - autumn. In addition to seasonal changes in hair, there is also age-related molting, in which the juvenile plumage(s) is replaced by the definitive adult. In some species, the latter appears after several age moults (for example, in the rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus) there are up to 4 of them). Age-related molting in a number of true seals (Phocidae) is associated with a change in the uterine plumage of the white (white high fur with guard and thick downy hairs, unsuitable for diving, lasts about 20 days in the pups) to the serka's plumage of coarse short hair (the serka already catches food in sea). With subsequent annual moults, which are both seasonal and age-related, the color of the animal after 2-3 years approaches that characteristic of sexually mature individuals.

In rodents that bear several litters per year, the young at the first juvenile molt receive different outfits depending on the season. For example, young squirrels ( Sciurus vulgaris), those born in the summer receive a summer adult outfit, and those born at the end of winter, not yet reaching full growth, receive lush winter fur and thick tassels on the ears. Young hoofed lemmings ( Dicrostonyx torquatus), born in snowy nests, at the first molt they receive a thick white plumage, similar to the winter coat of adult lemmings. Since the timing of molting varies depending on sex and age, as well as the physiological state of animals, food and weather conditions, it can be quite difficult to accurately determine the state of the fur of a particular population of mammals. In moles ( Talpa europaea), for example, males molt much later than females, in dwarf pipistrelles ( Pipistrellus pipistrellus), on the contrary, males begin molting. Well-fed animals various types moult earlier than exhausted ones. Pregnant females and sick individuals shed long time delayed at any stage; Strong infestation with helminths also has a noticeable effect on the course of molting.

In addition to hair, molting is characteristic of almost all horny formations of mammals: periodically there is a change of claws, desquamation of keratinized cells of the surface layer of the epidermis, annual shedding of antlers in most deer (Cervidae), etc. Particularly rapid molting with hair loss in tufts and simultaneous shedding of the epidermis in large flaps are characteristic of northern seals - the coot ( Pagophilus groenlandicus), ringed seal ( Pusa hispida), sea hare ( Erignathus barbatus). During the molting period, these pinnipeds lie on the ice or shore and do not feed for a long time. Among terrestrial mammals, equally intense molting is observed in the Transbaikal tarbagan marmot ( Marmota sibirica) and selevinia ( Selevinia betpakdalaensis). On the other hand, skin derivatives that have pronounced defensive functions are replaced slowly and gradually. For example, porcupines (Hystricidae) and hedgehogs (Erinaceidae) lose only a few quills per day. U long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) 5-20 needles fall out per day, thanks to which the animal always keeps its spiny shell suitable for defense. Tactile hairs (vibrissae), hard bristles on the rims on the paws of semi-aquatic animals, etc., fall out one by one and are replaced.
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Mammals and birds are characterized by seasonal molting. They change their plumage and fur from warmer to lighter, and vice versa. Along with the density of the cover, its color may also change.

Pets that shed

Pets that are susceptible to shedding include:

• (canines);
• birds (etc.);
• lizards;
• amphibian();

Did you know? Latin name of all four-legged animals, Tetrapoda, comes from the merger of two ancient Greek words: τετράς, which means« four» , and πούς -« leg» .

Features of the molting process in pets

We have already said that for each class of terrestrial vertebrates, the change in cover has its own characteristics. We will talk about them further.

In dogs

Natural shedding in dogs and all canines is seasonal (spring and autumn). Seasonal molting does not last long, a week or two. Young individuals experience this phenomenon for the first time at six months of age. To make it easier for your four-legged pet to cope with a change in coat, it needs to be brushed every day so that the fur can recover faster and tangles do not form.

The more intensely you brush your pet, the less hair will be scattered throughout the living space. It should also be taken into account that each type of wool should have its own approach. Smooth-haired dogs need to be combed and dried with a hard towel. Long-haired dogs need to be combed and trimmed.

During the molting period, the animal's behavior may change, since this process is quite energy-consuming. The dog may lose weight and become more lethargic, lazy, and passive. To keep an animal's body in good shape, it is necessary to change its diet, making it more nutritious. You should also add more vitamins to the menu. Special vitamin complexes can be found in veterinary pharmacies.

Breeds that shed the least:

• some
• and some others.

Important!Pets living in apartments can shed year-round, or the period of seasonal shedding can be shifted. This is due to the constant high temperature and dry air in the room. Therefore, it is advisable to take the dog outside as often as possible so that shedding occurs at a certain time.

In cats

Little kittens exchange their soft baby coat for a coarse adult coat at five to seven months of age. This can last from several weeks to several months. It all depends on the breed. When the hairline has changed from child to adult, seasonal molting begins. It happens twice a year, in spring and autumn. Its duration is two to three months.

During this period, the cat becomes less active. To make the change of fur coat easier for the animal, it must be fed in a balanced manner and given a full range of vitamins. You should also brush your pet daily to rid it of dead hair and stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles for faster growth of new hair.

If you notice that your cat has been shedding for more than three months and its fur is dull, unhealthy, and falling out in clumps, you should contact your veterinarian. Perhaps there are some deviations in the pet’s health.

To prevent unnatural changes in cover, you should:

• regularly examine your pet for bald spots, bumps or spots on the skin;
• enrich your cat’s diet with B vitamins, choose more suitable food for his coat type and age;
• Regularly treat your pet for fleas, ticks and worms.

Breeds of low-shedding cats:

In birds

Parrots and canaries are common bird pets in apartments.

Parrots are characterized by seasonal molting. The change of plumage occurs gradually, and therefore the behavior of the bird does not change. During this period, it is enough to introduce minerals, vitamins, and amino acids into the diet. They will help the plumage recover faster. The bird should also be restricted from free flight. If a bleeding wound has formed at the site of the fallen feather, it must be treated with a solution of ferric chloride.

Canaries change their plumage once a year, and this process lasts about a month. The young animals are still undergoing a juvenile molt, during which the fluff is replaced by feathers. This happens in the second or third months of life and lasts until the chicks reach six months of age. The end of the juvenile moult indicates the achievement of sexual maturity.

Changing plumage in canaries is more energy-consuming than in parrots. Therefore, during this period their voice disappears, their appetite is lost, and their temperature rises. If the change of plumage occurs in the warm season, then the cage with the bird should be taken out to Fresh air under the sun's rays. In the cold season, it is necessary to create artificial lighting using fluorescent lamps. You need to include greens, fruits, berries, vegetables, eggshells, ash, and clay in your diet.

Important!Try to disturb the birds as little as possible. If they get scared, they can easily injure their fragile feathers on the bars of the cage.

In spiders

In spiders, changes in cover occur constantly, starting from birth. This is how their exoskeleton grows and develops. Newly born spiders molt about once a month. In older individuals, the interval between exoskeleton changes is two to three months. In adults, this process occurs once every three years. The approach of molting is indicated by darkening of the exposed area of ​​the abdomen.

The process of replacing the exoskeleton in arachnids can be divided into four stages: pre-molt, molt, post-molt and inter-molt stage. At the initial stage, a new exoskeleton is formed. Hormones are responsible for this. Because of this, the spider becomes very aggressive. Pre-molt lasts from several days to two to three weeks. During the molting stage, arthropods create excess pressure inside themselves, thus tearing the old exoskeleton.

This may take them from several minutes to several hours. During the post-molt stage, arthropods are very vulnerable.

Their new “shell” is still very soft, so they are not able to move and hunt normally. Recovery may take from several days to a month, depending on the age of the animal. At the last stage, the spider is completely restored and returns to its usual rhythm of life.

Did you know?During molting, arthropods are able to regenerate previously lost limbs.

In amphibians

Amphibians replace the top layer of their skin as they wear it down. This usually happens in the summer. The frequency of the process depends on the ambient temperature.

They molt regularly throughout their lives, since the animal’s growth does not stop, and the skin does not grow. The cover peels off in one piece. It cracks in one area of ​​the body, and the amphibian crawls out of it. To help themselves get rid of the old cover, animals rub against stones or snags. Some representatives of amphibians (frogs, salamanders) immediately eat old skin.

During the molting period, the main thing is:

• Take cats and dogs for walks more often.
• Birds, spiders, amphibians and reptiles should be disturbed as little as possible.
• Nutrition should be as balanced and varied as possible. Vitamins and minerals should be included in the diet. Fish oil should be added to the mammalian menu, sea ​​fish, liver.
• Cats and dogs need to be brushed regularly. To clean the fur from dirt, it is advisable to use dry shampoos that strengthen the hair.

As you can see, most of the animals that live in our house are subject to molting. For each of them, this process is very energy-consuming. And the speed of recuperation depends on how attentive the owners are to their pets.

Molting, i.e., the seasonal change of fur and associated changes in the skin of mammals, is an important biological process designed to ensure the integrity of the body as the main protective and heat-insulating formation.

For small insectivores and rodents that spend a lot of time in the litter and passages of burrows and are constantly in contact with a solid substrate, regular shedding is of particular importance, since their hair quickly wears out and requires timely replacement. The need to periodically change fur is also dictated by seasonal climate changes, being a means of increasing heat transfer in summer and decreasing it in winter. As our research has shown, the timing and intensity of molting varies depending on gender and age, as well as on the physiological state of the animals, food and weather conditions. Therefore, specific features of the course and rate of molting in animals of different age and sex groups can serve as a kind of indicator of the state of the entire population and signal serious violations of important ecological, physiological and population processes.

Most authors, when discussing the course of spring molting in shrews, describe waves of long and short hair following each other in a special order in different parts of the animal’s body, but do not report anything about the darkening of the flesh. Meanwhile, when considering autumn molting, they specifically emphasize this phenomenon. They are all unanimous in the opinion that autumn molting begins in the sacral region and continues towards the head, gradually moving to the ventral side. Spring molting, on the contrary, begins from the head and spreads laterally to the tail and belly. However, other authors argue that the spring moult common shrew passes into reverse order: starts on the ventral side of the body and ends on the dorsal side.

The fact that in the spring no characteristic changes in the skin (pigmentation of the inner layer) were noticed led to the birth of a hypothesis according to which shrews do not have normal spring molting (growth of new hair), but a so-called “reduction” occurs - breaking off the last segments of winter hair along the constrictions and the transition of part of the guard hairs to down hairs. This hypothesis was criticized by later researchers, who had in their collections specimens in the stage of normal spring molting with dark spots on the flesh and the growth of new hair. Cases when an animal had both short and long hair on different parts skins (for example, long on the belly and short on the back) with a sharp boundary between them, but without pigmentation on the underbelly, they considered it as a break in molting. Later, having abandoned the “reduction” hypothesis, Borovsky also came to this conclusion. According to his new ideas, waves of short and long hair pass through the body of the animal twice: once from the ventral side to the dorsal side and soon after that in the opposite direction - from the back to the abdomen. In the light of these data, it is not difficult to reconcile the statements mentioned above regarding the direction of the spring molt. V.A. Popov and Skaren observed the first phase of spring molting, and Denel, Crowcroft and other authors observed the second phase.

In Borovsky’s detailed work, which was later confirmed in the studies of a number of zoologists, it was shown that shrews have two consecutive moults in the spring, different in nature, timing and direction in which they proceed. Spring molt I (VL-I) consists of changing the six-segmented winter hair to the five-segmented spring one and passes from the ventral side to the dorsal side. During the spring molt II (VL-II), this five-segmented spring hair is replaced by four-segmented summer hair. It starts on the back and ends on the abdomen. Shedding can involve most or all of the animal’s skin (“full” shedding, in Borovsky’s terminology) or occur within a narrow (1-5 mm wide), gradually moving strip on the skin (“wave” shedding). In addition, intervals (breaks) in molting are often observed, and then the shrew may have both long hair on one part of the body and short hair on another without skin pigmentation. Such an “interrupted” molt is observed during VL-I in 40% of individuals, VL-II - in 22%.

Regarding the autumn molting of shrews, the opinions of various researchers are generally quite similar. They all agree that it occurs in a narrower period than in spring, begins on the back, near the base of the tail, spreads forward to the head, and then moves to the abdomen. They are less unanimous on the issue of the so-called “intermediate” molt. For example, Stein believes that a small part of the shrew population, in addition to the normal spring and autumn molts, goes through three more: one in their first summer, another in the second, and the last (third intermediate) shortly before death, in the fall (“senile molt” ). With regard to overwintered individuals, the existence of senile molting, which lasts from May to November, was confirmed by Borovsky's research. At the same time, Crowcroft believes that the “intermediate” summer molt represents a delayed spring or early-started autumn molt. Skaren agrees with this.

According to many years of research by Borovsky, representatives of the genera Sorex and Neomys undergo four molts during their lives: autumn, two spring and senile, and in shrews a juvenile molt is also observed. In different species of shrews, these moults occur synchronously in time and direction: autumn - from the head to the abdomen, spring - first from the abdomen to the back, and then from the back of the back to the abdomen, senile - diffusely, juvenile - from the ventral side to the back. Only VL-II differs in timing; in shrews it occurs later than in shrews.

Based on our data, presented in the relevant sections of the first chapter, we can conclude that there are no significant species differences in the timing, intensity and course of seasonal molts. Meanwhile, the connection with gender, age and the state of the reproductive system appears quite clearly. It has been established, for example, that spring molting in breeding females begins somewhat earlier than in males and females not participating in reproduction. The autumn molt of newly arrived animals in all species of Soricidae occurs at close intervals (September-October) and consists of replacing short summer hair with longer and thicker ones. The appearance of new fur is preceded by morphological processes in the skin (loosening, thickening, pigmentation). They usually start on the back at the rump, then spread forward to the head, then move to the sides and end on the abdomen.

In the spring, in April-May, adult (overwintered) individuals molt. Hair change begins on the ventral side of the body, gradually spreading to the sides, and ends on the back or head. The two-stage nature of spring molting with the opposite direction of fur change (in some animals it goes from the belly to the back, and in others from the back to the belly), we, unlike Borovsky, explain not by the existence of two spring moults, but by the non-simultaneous entry into molting of representatives of different age generations. Individuals from last year's spring litters, i.e., those that are older in age, begin to shed first. They form the imaginary VL-I with a characteristic ventrodorsal direction of the process. As for the second stage of spring molting (according to Borovsky, this is VL-II), it corresponds to the mass molting of animals of late (summer) generations and has a dorsoventral order of fur change. These animals apparently do not have a real autumn molt at all. Instead, they experience senile molting, which, as a rule, affects only individual areas and does not have a clear pattern. The conclusion suggests itself is that any seasonal molting - be it spring or autumn - if it is the first in the animal’s life, it begins on the dorsal side of the body, and if it is the second, on the ventral side. Finnish researchers also come to deny two spring molts. Thus, shrews undergo two normal seasonal molts (spring and autumn), as well as a senile one, in northern conditions. In addition, the shrew has a juvenile molt, while the mole has a compensatory moult.

A relatively large literature is devoted to the molting of rodents, especially commercial and semi-commercial ones. There are also works on mouse-like rodents - representatives of the genera Clethrionomys, Microtus, Lemmus, Arvicola, Micromys, Apodemus. However, the most detailed studies on seasonal changes in the fur of small rodents were carried out by Lehmann, A.I. Kryltsov and Ling.

Based on a study of the widespread species of rodents in Kazakhstan, A.I. Kryltsov comes to the conclusion that there is exceptional stability and uniformity in the sequence of hair changes in all voles of the Old World, which is almost independent of the animals’ lifestyle. In the inhabitants of swampy meadows and forests - arable voles and root voles, in typical semi-desert forms - social voles, in semi-aquatic ones - water rats and muskrats, even in such specialized underground rodents as mole voles, the same course is observed, characteristic of most of the studied species change of fur. It occurs according to the sublateral (dorsal) type, in which new hair appears first on the lower parts of the sides and head, then the process spreads to the abdomen and back, and lastly the top of the head and back of the back fade. IN general outline The sublateral type of hair growth is preserved in all types of age-related and seasonal molts; only the sequence and speed of shedding of the head, middle and back part of the back varies. Only in some representatives of the genus Clethrionomys, as well as in the Norwegian lemming, all or part of the individuals of the species during one of the seasonal moults change their fur according to the cephalo-sacral type. The order of hair change in this case is the reverse of that described: it begins with two oval spots on the back of the back, then moves to the head and ends on the sides and abdomen. Old animals of all species have a diffuse type of molting, in which no regular sequence in its topography is observed.

Our studies generally confirm the conclusions of the authors cited above. The molting of the studied rodents follows a single plan and at approximately the same time. For voles, the existence of three moults has been established: juvenile, which, depending on the time of birth of the animal, can take place in spring, summer and autumn and ends with the replacement of baby fur by adults (summer or winter), and two seasonal ones - spring and autumn, accompanied by a complete change of hair, respectively. summer and winter. The wood mouse, like probably other hibernating mammals, molts throughout the summer period from May to October, while molting apparently proceeds diffusely; in any case, a regular order in the change of fur cannot be established. Autumn molting in all rodents is usually more intense than spring, the timing of which is extremely extended due to the heterogeneity of the population in terms of age. The timing and speed of molting also depend on the sex and physiological state of the animals. Thus, the molting of lactating females is delayed compared to females without signs of reproduction, but begins 2-3 weeks earlier than that of males. Juvenile molt of young late broods usually occurs faster than early ones, and nevertheless can pass into autumn without interruption. Adjustments to the general course, pace and order of seasonal molting are made by climatic conditions year and the state of the population (number level and phase of the population cycle).

Winter has passed, along with snowfalls and frosts. The long-awaited spring has arrived, the sun is shining - the best time to go to the zoo. But some visitors are dissatisfied and complain: why are snow goats so shaggy, and their fur sticks out in clumps, why has the fox’s fur lost its winter shine and looks somehow dull? Even usually neat wolves still look somewhat unkempt.
In fact, everything is very simple: our animals shed. In the spring, they no longer need long, thick and lush hair, without which they would not be able to survive the harsh winter. It's time to replace it with another, lighter, summer one, which is half as long and less common. For example, a squirrel has 1 sq. cm of body surface, instead of 8100 winter hairs, only 4200 summer hairs grow, and instead of 14 thousand hairs, the white hare grows only 7 thousand.
The molting of animals has long been of interest to zoologists. Research recent years It has been established that, in addition to temperature, it is influenced by light acting on the animal’s body through the endocrine gland - the pituitary gland. For hare molting, the length of daylight hours is the determining factor, while temperature only accelerates or delays this process.
The timing of molting in wild animals depends on the geographic latitude of the area. In some mammals and birds, along with molting, the color also changes: the light color is replaced by a darker one. The white winter color of the mountain hare turns gray in summer, and the squirrel changes from gray in spring to red. A similar transformation occurs with ermine, ptarmigan and other species. Here, too, everything is clear: in winter, animals become invisible against the background of snow; in summer, they are more difficult to notice against the background of earth and grass. This is called protective coloring.
The molting of animals occurs in a strict sequence and in each species in its own way. For example, in a squirrel, spring molting begins from the head. First of all, bright red summer hair appears on the front end of its muzzle, around the eyes, then on the front and hind legs, and last of all on the sides and back. The entire process of “dressing up” lasts 50–60 days. In foxes, signs of spring molting appear in March. Her fur loses its shine and begins to gradually thin out. The first signs of shedding can be seen on the shoulders, then on the sides, and the back of the fox's body remains covered with winter fur until July.
Almost all animals shed. But the inhabitants of a continental climate, characterized by sharp seasonal changes in temperature, the alternation of cold winters and hot summers, shed quickly, but the inhabitants of the tropics and semi-aquatic animals (giraffe, muskrat, nutria, sea otter) - gradually. Most mammals living in temperate latitudes, sheds twice a year - in spring and autumn, but some animals (seals, marmots, gophers, jerboas) - once.
Shedding is a natural process in which old and dead cells and tissues are replaced by newer ones. This means that the fact that our animals shed is an indicator of their health. But if shedding becomes irregular and is accompanied by various painful phenomena (as sometimes happens in domestic cats and dogs), this can really be a cause for concern.
Now comes the turn of the second question: why don’t we comb our shedding animals? Well, firstly, this is not entirely true: we still help pets get rid of winter fur. For example, the yak living in the Children's Zoo is regularly brushed. But this won’t work with predators - after all, a zoo is not a circus, and not all animals here allow you to touch them. But they are also not “abandoned to their fate.” Take a closer look: in some enclosures (for example, among musk oxen) you will notice old fir trees or special structures made of different materials - the so-called “scratchers”. Animals scratch about them regularly and with obvious pleasure. And their winter wool is not wasted - employees then collect it and give it to birds and small animals, who use it to build nests. Such nests can be seen in the Night World.
Well, in conclusion, let's look at who is actively molting in the spring in the zoo, who needs to be paid special attention to, and who is interesting to watch. Molting is easy to notice in guancos, domestic llamas and vicuñas, foxes and hares, gray and red wolves, raccoons and raccoon dogs, musk oxen, snow goats and camels. Maybe you yourself will add someone to this long list?
M. Tarkhanova

Winter has passed, along with snowfalls and frosts. The long-awaited spring has arrived, the sun is shining - the best time to go to the zoo. But some visitors are dissatisfied and complain: why are snow goats so shaggy, and their fur sticks out in clumps, why has the fox’s fur lost its winter shine and looks somehow dull? Even usually neat wolves still look somewhat unkempt.
In fact, everything is very simple: our animals shed. In the spring, they no longer need long, thick and lush hair, without which they would not be able to survive the harsh winter. It's time to replace it with another, lighter, summer one, which is half as long and less common. For example, a squirrel has 1 sq. cm of body surface, instead of 8100 winter hairs, only 4200 summer hairs grow, and instead of 14 thousand hairs, the white hare grows only 7 thousand.
The molting of animals has long been of interest to zoologists. Research in recent years has established that, in addition to temperature, it is influenced by light acting on the animal’s body through the endocrine gland - the pituitary gland. For hare molting, the length of daylight hours is the determining factor, while temperature only accelerates or delays this process.
The timing of molting in wild animals depends on the geographic latitude of the area. In some mammals and birds, along with molting, the color also changes: the light color is replaced by a darker one. The white winter color of the mountain hare turns gray in summer, and the squirrel changes from gray in spring to red. A similar transformation occurs with ermine, ptarmigan and other species. Here, too, everything is clear: in winter, animals become invisible against the background of snow; in summer, they are more difficult to notice against the background of earth and grass. This is called protective coloring.
The molting of animals occurs in a strict sequence and in each species in its own way. For example, in a squirrel, spring molting begins from the head. First of all, bright red summer hair appears on the front end of its muzzle, around the eyes, then on the front and hind legs, and last of all on the sides and back. The entire process of “dressing up” lasts 50–60 days. In foxes, signs of spring molting appear in March. Her fur loses its shine and begins to gradually thin out. The first signs of shedding can be seen on the shoulders, then on the sides, and the back of the fox's body remains covered with winter fur until July.
Almost all animals shed. But the inhabitants of a continental climate, characterized by sharp seasonal changes in temperature, the alternation of cold winters and hot summers, shed quickly, but the inhabitants of the tropics and semi-aquatic animals (giraffe, muskrat, nutria, sea otter) - gradually. Most mammals living in temperate latitudes molt twice a year - in spring and autumn, but some animals (seals, marmots, ground squirrels, jerboas) - once.
Shedding is a natural process in which old and dead cells and tissues are replaced by newer ones. This means that the fact that our animals shed is an indicator of their health. But if shedding becomes irregular and is accompanied by various painful phenomena (as sometimes happens in domestic cats and dogs), this can really be a cause for concern.
Now comes the turn of the second question: why don’t we comb our shedding animals? Well, firstly, this is not entirely true: we still help pets get rid of winter fur. For example, the yak living in the Children's Zoo is regularly brushed. But this won’t work with predators - after all, a zoo is not a circus, and not all animals here allow you to touch them. But they are also not “abandoned to their fate.” Take a closer look: in some enclosures (for example, among musk oxen) you will notice old fir trees or special structures made of different materials - the so-called “scratchers”. Animals scratch about them regularly and with obvious pleasure. And their winter wool is not wasted - employees then collect it and give it to birds and small animals, who use it to build nests. Such nests can be seen in the Night World.
Well, in conclusion, let's look at who is actively molting in the spring in the zoo, who needs to be paid special attention to, and who is interesting to watch. Molting is easy to notice in guancos, domestic llamas and vicuñas, foxes and hares, gray and red wolves, raccoons and raccoon dogs, musk oxen, snow goats and camels. Maybe you yourself will add someone to this long list?
M. Tarkhanova

What is molting in birds called? This is the process by which the feather cover changes. For birds it is a necessity. Over time, feathers wear out, lose thermal properties and even affect the ability to fly. When molting, the layer of the epidermis also changes, which periodically dies. The scales on the paws and beak plates are renewed.

All birds moult differently. For some it happens quickly, for others it lasts more than six months. Some birds shed profusely, so much so that bald patches even form; in others, you may not even notice the process of changing plumage. However, they all have one thing in common - weakened immunity. The birds become less mobile and feel drowsy. Also, birds during molting need more high-calorie food. As for domestic animals, they require more careful care during this period.

Types of shedding

There are two types of shedding:

1. Juvenile - in young individuals. It occurs in all birds at different times. For example, in chickens, the juvenile molt begins between 3 and 45 days of birth and ends after about 4 to 5 months. And in young individuals this molting occurs somewhat later. It begins at the age of 60-70 days, but ends after 2 months.
2. Periodic is molting in adults that occurs once a year.

What is molting in birds? This is a periodic change of plumage. In adult individuals under natural conditions, it depends not on age, but on the season. Usually this is late summer or autumn. But in birds kept in captivity, molting occurs only after oviposition.

Periods of plumage change

Birds always begin to moult from the central part. The new feathers have a wider fan than the shed ones, and they are lighter than the old ones. The duration of plumage change is also different for everyone.

Birds can molt several times a year, it all depends on their species. But all birds, without exception, undergo the first annual change of feathers. The beginning of this process is different for each species. For some - between migrations, for others - in the interval between laying eggs and the appearance of chicks.

What do birds need during molting?

During this period, the birds’ immunity is weakened, and their body needs additional microelements. While birds in their natural habitat intuitively find everything they need, birds living at home need additional care. This includes mandatory vitamin supplements and special foods. This is especially necessary for those whose process occurs in winter. Birds with bright colors need to be given more attention than others. If they are fed incorrectly, their plumage will become dull.

What to do if the bird does not moult

The reason for the lack of shedding may lie in illness or incipient health problems. Such birds are kept in warm rooms, but the air should not be very dry or humid. It is also necessary that the cage or enclosure be large and spacious.

What is molting in birds called? This is a change in plumage that can cause the skin to become tougher. So that it does not dry out and remains elastic, swimsuits with water should be installed in cages and enclosures. If the bird does not use them, then it must be sprayed daily with a spray bottle. But if molting has not yet occurred, then you can try adding ant pupae to the food.

Molting in chickens: features

Due to the fact that it is possible to regulate the climate, the molting process does not depend at all on the season. A chicken bred in spring moults in early winter or late autumn. Accordingly, if she was born in the fall, then this process occurs at the end of spring or summer. During the molting period, the chicken does not lay eggs. It lasts from 15 to 20 days. After molting, the chicken's egg production immediately resumes.

Individuals that were born in the spring are mainly raised for meat. Because their egg-laying period is short, keeping such a bird on a farm is unprofitable. At the same time, molting in such chickens proceeds very slowly.

How do parrots change plumage?

For these birds, the process occurs several times a year. The very first molt in parrots begins at two months of age. This period is very important, as individuals occur. After the end of molting, the parrot is considered already adult and sexually mature.

This is a process for the normal existence of birds. Feathers change not only during puberty, but throughout life. This usually happens twice a year. At the same time, the bird becomes inactive, lethargy and drowsiness appear. This is due to the fact that during molting, metabolic processes intensify.

Plumage changes also occur after the mating period. In some species, the molting process is completely invisible, and no bald patches are observed. But if the feathers fall out unbalanced, then the parrot cannot fly at that time. Often molting is a bird's reaction to fright. Sometimes this is a symptom of a serious illness.

How do cockatiels moult?

This natural process occurs in all birds, regardless of species. Corella also changes its color slightly in this way, since the new feathers have brighter and more saturated shades. But this species of bird also has its own characteristics.

We have already found out what is called molting in birds. In cockatiels, this process occurs gradually. The flight feathers change first, then the tail feathers. The process takes a long time - up to six months. And in several stages. But it is very difficult to notice this visually.

Young birds moult a little faster: they begin to lose their plumage by four months, and finish by the end of the first year of life. At this time, diet is very important. Your cockatiel needs to get as many vitamins and minerals as possible.

When molting, some parrots experience severe pain. But for the most part, the process is painless. However, molting in cockatiels is accompanied by unpleasant sensations. Therefore, in captivity, drafts and high humidity are contraindicated for them. The food should be complete, and during the period of peak molting - very nutritious. Oil seeds must be present in the diet; sunflower seeds, hemp or chopped nuts can be given. It is also recommended to use fortified ones, which are sold in all pet stores.

In the article we looked at what is called molting in birds, how it happens and when. To summarize, we can say briefly: this is the replacement of old feathers with new ones, which occurs at different times in birds of different species and ages, and also depends on the change of seasons, etc.

Instructions

Zoologists have been observing the molting of animals for decades. Research has established that the time and quality of molting are influenced by various factors. One of them is temperature. The biological process of molting in animals starts in nature at both low and high temperatures. Animals in the wild, or kept in enclosures, shed “like clockwork.” Such molts are called autumn and spring.

Double molting is suffered mainly by fur-bearing animals, squirrels, water rats, gophers, minks, hares, etc. Moles molt 3 times a year. But not all animals change their cover 2-3 times a year. Animals that hibernate molt only once a year. In individuals that hibernate for 7-9 months, a new coat of hair does not form during this period. They undergo one long moult, which lasts from spring until they go into hibernation.

Pets that are kept warm, periodically walk outside, or sit for some time on window sills, constantly experience temperature changes. Their molting loses its seasonality and becomes constant and pathological. In addition, this type of molting can occur due to improper diet of animals, stress and other circumstances. Hair loss due to an incorrect diet can occur in different ways, with less or greater loss of hair. With poor food, hair loss occurs mainly on the hips and back of the animal.

Age-related molting is a significant variability of fur during the growth period of animals. Moreover, in young individuals changes occur more actively. The time of age-related molting for each animal depends on the season of birth of the baby. The first age molting occurs between 3-7 months from the date of birth of the animal. Cubs at the end breastfeeding change the original fluffy cover. Secondary wool differs from the first one in structure and color. Age-related molting is typical for sheep, white fox, seals and other animals. Most often, the first down on animals is softer, more tender and velvety. The guard hairs of babies are thin and practically do not differ from down in thickness and length. This type of cover is often called plump. The color of the first hair coat is also different from the subsequent ones. Most often, the first one is darker, with the exception of newborn seals.

Wool, fluff, can shed in females during the sexual cycle or after the birth period of the animal. Shedding usually begins 5-10 weeks after the babies appear. During this type of shedding, the fur falls off mainly from the belly, chest and sides. This type of molting is called sexual molting; just like other moltings, it depends on the state of hormones in the animal’s body.

Since, according to molecular phylogenetics, these groups are related to each other, they have recently been united under the name Ecdysosoa- Shedding. In these groups, molting is reduced to periodic shedding and replacement of the cuticle. Before molting, the inner layers of the old cuticle dissolve, and underneath the hypodermal cells secrete a new cuticle. After a molt, the animal rapidly increases in size (usually by absorbing water or "inflating" with air) until the new cuticle hardens, after which growth ceases until the next molt (periodic growth).

Nematodes have larvae that molt (usually there are four larval stages); adult nematodes do not grow or molt. In most groups of arthropods (crustaceans, spiders, etc.), molting and growth continue throughout life.

see also

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Synonyms:

See what “Molt” is in other dictionaries:

Periodic change of outer skin and decomposition. their formations (cuticles, scales, wool, feathers, etc.) in animals. It can be age-related (passes in the first months of life), seasonal (during certain seasons of the year) and constant (throughout... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary

MOLTING, the process of shedding and replacing the outer layers of the body's integument. Mammals shed their outer layers of skin and hair when they shed, often during certain seasons of the year. A person does not shed, however, he constantly sheds dead dry hair... ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

MOLTING, molting, many. no, female (specialist.). Same as shedding. Molting of the beast. Autumn molt. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

Noun fading Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Context 5.0 Informatics. 2012. molting noun, number of synonyms: 2 molting (3) ... Synonym dictionary

Periodic change of external integument (chitin, wool, and plumage) in animals. Regulation of molting occurs with the participation of hormones... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

MOLD (yay, yay, 1 and 2 l. not used), yay; nesov. Ozhegov's explanatory dictionary. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 … Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

Periodic change of hair in mammals, feathers and horny formations in birds, the upper keratinized layer of skin in reptiles and cuticle in arthropods. Ecological encyclopedic dictionary. Chisinau: Home… … Ecological dictionary

MOLTING- MOLTING, see Epidermis... Great Medical Encyclopedia

molting- Periodic change of external integument in animals; can be age-related, seasonal and permanent; in invertebrates L., as a rule, is associated with stages individual development, and in vertebrates with adaptability to external conditions. [Arefyev V... Technical Translator's Guide

MOLTING- seasonal change of hair. U L. The covering hair is replaced twice a year in spring and autumn. During L. for the skin of L. take special care, carefully clean it, removing loose hair... Horse breeding guide

Books

• Robin in the north of its range. Volume 2. Molting and migration, V. B. Zimin. The second part of the monograph “Robin in the north of its range” summarizes the research on the migrations and molting of birds of this species. For the first time, the processes of emigration, settlement and immigration are described in detail...

Molting, i.e., the seasonal change of fur and associated changes in the skin of mammals, is an important biological process designed to ensure the integrity of the body as the main protective and heat-insulating formation.

For small insectivores and rodents that spend a lot of time in the litter and passages of burrows and are constantly in contact with a solid substrate, regular shedding is of particular importance, since their hair quickly wears out and requires timely replacement. The need to periodically change fur is also dictated by seasonal climate changes, being a means of increasing heat transfer in summer and decreasing it in winter. As our research has shown, the timing and intensity of molting varies depending on gender and age, as well as on the physiological state of the animals, food and weather conditions. Therefore, specific features of the course and rate of molting in animals of different age and sex groups can serve as a kind of indicator of the state of the entire population and signal serious violations of important ecological, physiological and population processes.

Most authors, when discussing the course of spring molting in shrews, describe waves of long and short hair following each other in a special order in different parts of the animal’s body, but do not report anything about the darkening of the flesh. Meanwhile, when considering autumn molting, they specifically emphasize this phenomenon. They are all unanimous in the opinion that autumn molting begins in the sacral region and continues towards the head, gradually moving to the ventral side. Spring molting, on the contrary, begins from the head and spreads laterally to the tail and belly. However, other authors claim that the spring molting of the common shrew occurs in the reverse order: it begins on the ventral side of the body and ends on the dorsal side.

The fact that in the spring no characteristic changes in the skin (pigmentation of the inner layer) were noticed led to the birth of a hypothesis according to which shrews do not have normal spring molting (growth of new hair), but a so-called “reduction” occurs - breaking off the last segments of winter hair along the constrictions and the transition of part of the guard hairs to down hairs. This hypothesis was criticized by later researchers, who had in their collections specimens in the stage of normal spring molting with dark spots on the flesh and the growth of new hair. Cases when an animal had both short and long hair on different parts of the skin (for example, long on the abdomen and short on the back) with a sharp boundary between them, but without pigmentation on the flesh, they considered a break in molting. Later, having abandoned the “reduction” hypothesis, Borovsky also came to this conclusion. According to his new ideas, waves of short and long hair pass through the body of the animal twice: once from the ventral side to the dorsal side and soon after that in the opposite direction - from the back to the abdomen. In the light of these data, it is not difficult to reconcile the statements mentioned above regarding the direction of the spring molt. V.A. Popov and Skaren observed the first phase of spring molting, and Denel, Crowcroft and other authors observed the second phase.

In Borovsky’s detailed work, which was later confirmed in the studies of a number of zoologists, it was shown that shrews have two consecutive moults in the spring, different in nature, timing and direction in which they proceed. Spring molt I (VL-I) consists of changing the six-segmented winter hair to the five-segmented spring one and passes from the ventral side to the dorsal side. During the spring molt II (VL-II), this five-segmented spring hair is replaced by four-segmented summer hair. It starts on the back and ends on the abdomen. Shedding can involve most or all of the animal’s skin (“full” shedding, in Borovsky’s terminology) or occur within a narrow (1-5 mm wide), gradually moving strip on the skin (“wave” shedding). In addition, intervals (breaks) in molting are often observed, and then the shrew may have both long hair on one part of the body and short hair on another without skin pigmentation. Such an “interrupted” molt is observed during VL-I in 40% of individuals, VL-II - in 22%.

Regarding the autumn molting of shrews, the opinions of various researchers are generally quite similar. They all agree that it occurs in a narrower period than in spring, begins on the back, near the base of the tail, spreads forward to the head, and then moves to the abdomen. They are less unanimous on the issue of the so-called “intermediate” molt. For example, Stein believes that a small part of the shrew population, in addition to the normal spring and autumn molts, goes through three more: one in their first summer, another in the second, and the last (third intermediate) shortly before death, in the fall (“senile molt” ). With regard to overwintered individuals, the existence of senile molting, which lasts from May to November, was confirmed by Borovsky's research. At the same time, Crowcroft believes that the “intermediate” summer molt represents a delayed spring or early-started autumn molt. Skaren agrees with this.

According to many years of research by Borovsky, representatives of the genera Sorex and Neomys undergo four molts during their lives: autumn, two spring and senile, and in shrews a juvenile molt is also observed. In different species of shrews, these moults occur synchronously in time and direction: autumn - from the head to the abdomen, spring - first from the abdomen to the back, and then from the back of the back to the abdomen, senile - diffusely, juvenile - from the ventral side to the back. Only VL-II differs in timing; in shrews it occurs later than in shrews.

Based on our data, presented in the relevant sections of the first chapter, we can conclude that there are no significant species differences in the timing, intensity and course of seasonal molts. Meanwhile, the connection with gender, age and the state of the reproductive system appears quite clearly. It has been established, for example, that spring molting in breeding females begins somewhat earlier than in males and females not participating in reproduction. The autumn molt of newly arrived animals in all species of Soricidae occurs at close intervals (September-October) and consists of replacing short summer hair with longer and thicker ones. The appearance of new fur is preceded by morphological processes in the skin (loosening, thickening, pigmentation). They usually start on the back at the rump, then spread forward to the head, then move to the sides and end on the abdomen.

In the spring, in April-May, adult (overwintered) individuals molt. Hair change begins on the ventral side of the body, gradually spreading to the sides, and ends on the back or head. The two-stage nature of spring molting with the opposite direction of fur change (in some animals it goes from the belly to the back, and in others from the back to the belly), we, unlike Borovsky, explain not by the existence of two spring moults, but by the non-simultaneous entry into molting of representatives of different age generations. Individuals from last year's spring litters, i.e., those that are older in age, begin to shed first. They form the imaginary VL-I with a characteristic ventrodorsal direction of the process. As for the second stage of spring molting (according to Borovsky, this is VL-II), it corresponds to the mass molting of animals of late (summer) generations and has a dorsoventral order of fur change. These animals apparently do not have a real autumn molt at all. Instead, they experience senile molting, which, as a rule, affects only individual areas and does not have a clear pattern. The conclusion suggests itself is that any seasonal molting - be it spring or autumn - if it is the first in the animal’s life, it begins on the dorsal side of the body, and if it is the second, on the ventral side. Finnish researchers also come to deny two spring molts. Thus, shrews undergo two normal seasonal molts (spring and autumn), as well as a senile one, in northern conditions. In addition, the shrew has a juvenile molt, while the mole has a compensatory moult.

A relatively large literature is devoted to the molting of rodents, especially commercial and semi-commercial ones. There are also works on mouse-like rodents - representatives of the genera Clethrionomys, Microtus, Lemmus, Arvicola, Micromys, Apodemus. However, the most detailed studies on seasonal changes in the fur of small rodents were carried out by Lehmann, A.I. Kryltsov and Ling.

Based on a study of the widespread species of rodents in Kazakhstan, A.I. Kryltsov comes to the conclusion that there is exceptional stability and uniformity in the sequence of hair changes in all voles of the Old World, which is almost independent of the animals’ lifestyle. In the inhabitants of swampy meadows and forests - arable voles and root voles, in typical semi-desert forms - social voles, in semi-aquatic ones - water rats and muskrats, even in such specialized underground rodents as mole voles, the same course is observed, characteristic of most of the studied species change of fur. It occurs according to the sublateral (dorsal) type, in which new hair appears first on the lower parts of the sides and head, then the process spreads to the abdomen and back, and lastly the top of the head and back of the back fade. In general terms, the sublateral type of hair growth is preserved in all types of age-related and seasonal molting; only the sequence and speed of shedding of the head, middle and back part of the back varies. Only in some representatives of the genus Clethrionomys, as well as in the Norwegian lemming, all or part of the individuals of the species during one of the seasonal moults change their fur according to the cephalo-sacral type. The order of hair change in this case is the reverse of that described: it begins with two oval spots on the back of the back, then moves to the head and ends on the sides and abdomen. Old animals of all species have a diffuse type of molting, in which no regular sequence in its topography is observed.

Our studies generally confirm the conclusions of the authors cited above. The molting of the studied rodents follows a single plan and at approximately the same time. For voles, the existence of three moults has been established: juvenile, which, depending on the time of birth of the animal, can take place in spring, summer and autumn and ends with the replacement of baby fur by adults (summer or winter), and two seasonal ones - spring and autumn, accompanied by a complete change of hair, respectively. summer and winter. The wood mouse, like probably other hibernating mammals, molts throughout the summer period from May to October, while molting apparently proceeds diffusely; in any case, a regular order in the change of fur cannot be established. Autumn molting in all rodents is usually more intense than spring, the timing of which is extremely extended due to the heterogeneity of the population in terms of age. The timing and speed of molting also depend on the sex and physiological state of the animals. Thus, the molting of lactating females is delayed compared to females without signs of reproduction, but begins 2-3 weeks earlier than that of males. Juvenile molt of young late broods usually occurs faster than early ones, and nevertheless can pass into autumn without interruption. Adjustments to the general course, pace and order of seasonal molting are made by the climatic conditions of the year and the state of the population (number level and phase of the population cycle).

And groups close to them. In most of these animals, molting is regulated by the hormone ecdysone. Since, according to molecular phylogenetics, these groups are related to each other, they have recently been united under the name Ecdysosoa- Shedding. In these groups, molting is reduced to periodic shedding and replacement of the cuticle. Before molting, the inner layers of the old cuticle dissolve, and underneath the hypodermal cells secrete a new cuticle. After a molt, the animal rapidly increases in size (usually by absorbing water or "inflating" with air) until the new cuticle hardens, after which growth ceases until the next molt (periodic growth).

Nematodes have larvae that molt (usually there are four larval stages); adult nematodes do not grow or molt. In most groups of arthropods (crustaceans, spiders, etc.), molting and growth continue throughout life.

see also

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Synonyms:

See what “Molt” is in other dictionaries:

Periodic change of outer skin and decomposition. their formations (cuticles, scales, wool, feathers, etc.) in animals. It can be age-related (passes in the first months of life), seasonal (during certain seasons of the year) and constant (throughout... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary

MOLTING, the process of shedding and replacing the outer layers of the body's integument. Mammals shed their outer layers of skin and hair when they shed, often during certain seasons of the year. A person does not shed, however, he constantly sheds dead dry hair... ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

MOLTING, molting, many. no, female (specialist.). Same as shedding. Molting of the beast. Autumn molt. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

Noun fading Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Context 5.0 Informatics. 2012. molting noun, number of synonyms: 2 molting (3) ... Synonym dictionary

Winter has passed, along with snowfalls and frosts. The long-awaited spring has arrived, the sun is shining - the best time to go to the zoo. But some visitors are dissatisfied and complain: why are snow goats so shaggy, and their fur sticks out in clumps, why has the fox’s fur lost its winter shine and looks somehow dull? Even usually neat wolves still look somewhat unkempt.
In fact, everything is very simple: our animals shed. In the spring, they no longer need long, thick and lush hair, without which they would not be able to survive the harsh winter. It's time to replace it with another, lighter, summer one, which is half as long and less common. For example, a squirrel has 1 sq. cm of body surface, instead of 8100 winter hairs, only 4200 summer hairs grow, and instead of 14 thousand hairs, the white hare grows only 7 thousand.
The molting of animals has long been of interest to zoologists. Research in recent years has established that, in addition to temperature, it is influenced by light acting on the animal’s body through the endocrine gland - the pituitary gland. For hare molting, the length of daylight hours is the determining factor, while temperature only accelerates or delays this process.
The timing of molting in wild animals depends on the geographic latitude of the area. In some mammals and birds, along with molting, the color also changes: the light color is replaced by a darker one. The white winter color of the mountain hare turns gray in summer, and the squirrel changes from gray in spring to red. A similar transformation occurs with ermine, ptarmigan and other species. Here, too, everything is clear: in winter, animals become invisible against the background of snow; in summer, they are more difficult to notice against the background of earth and grass. This is called protective coloring.
The molting of animals occurs in a strict sequence and in each species in its own way. For example, in a squirrel, spring molting begins from the head. First of all, bright red summer hair appears on the front end of its muzzle, around the eyes, then on the front and hind legs, and last of all on the sides and back. The entire process of “dressing up” lasts 50–60 days. In foxes, signs of spring molting appear in March. Her fur loses its shine and begins to gradually thin out. The first signs of shedding can be seen on the shoulders, then on the sides, and the back of the fox's body remains covered with winter fur until July.
Almost all animals shed. But the inhabitants of a continental climate, characterized by sharp seasonal changes in temperature, the alternation of cold winters and hot summers, shed quickly, but the inhabitants of the tropics and semi-aquatic animals (giraffe, muskrat, nutria, sea otter) - gradually. Most mammals living in temperate latitudes molt twice a year - in spring and autumn, but some animals (seals, marmots, ground squirrels, jerboas) - once.
Shedding is a natural process in which old and dead cells and tissues are replaced by newer ones. This means that the fact that our animals shed is an indicator of their health. But if shedding becomes irregular and is accompanied by various painful phenomena (as sometimes happens in domestic cats and dogs), this can really be a cause for concern.
Now comes the turn of the second question: why don’t we comb our shedding animals? Well, firstly, this is not entirely true: we still help pets get rid of winter fur. For example, the yak living in the Children's Zoo is regularly brushed. But this won’t work with predators - after all, a zoo is not a circus, and not all animals here allow you to touch them. But they are also not “abandoned to their fate.” Take a closer look: in some enclosures (for example, among musk oxen) you will notice old fir trees or special structures made of different materials - the so-called “scratchers”. Animals scratch about them regularly and with obvious pleasure. And their winter wool is not wasted - employees then collect it and give it to birds and small animals, who use it to build nests. Such nests can be seen in the Night World.
Well, in conclusion, let's look at who is actively molting in the spring in the zoo, who needs to be paid special attention to, and who is interesting to watch. Molting is easy to notice in guancos, domestic llamas and vicuñas, foxes and hares, gray and red wolves, raccoons and raccoon dogs, musk oxen, snow goats and camels. Maybe you yourself will add someone to this long list?
M. Tarkhanova

What is molting in birds called? This is the process by which the feather cover changes. For birds it is a necessity. Over time, feathers wear out, lose thermal properties and even affect the ability to fly. When molting, the layer of the epidermis also changes, which periodically dies. The scales on the paws and beak plates are renewed.

All birds moult differently. For some it happens quickly, for others it lasts more than six months. Some birds shed profusely, so much so that bald patches even form; in others, you may not even notice the process of changing plumage. However, they all have one thing in common - weakened immunity. The birds become less mobile and feel drowsy. Also, birds during molting need more high-calorie food. As for domestic animals, they require more careful care during this period.

Types of shedding

There are two types of shedding:

1. Juvenile - in young individuals. It occurs in all birds at different times. For example, in chickens, the juvenile molt begins between 3 and 45 days of birth and ends after about 4 to 5 months. And in young individuals this molting occurs somewhat later. It begins at the age of 60-70 days, but ends after 2 months.
2. Periodic is molting in adults that occurs once a year.

What is molting in birds? This is a periodic change of plumage. In adult individuals under natural conditions, it depends not on age, but on the season. Usually this is late summer or autumn. But in birds kept in captivity, molting occurs only after oviposition.

Periods of plumage change

Birds always begin to moult from the central part. The new feathers have a wider fan than the shed ones, and they are lighter than the old ones. The duration of plumage change is also different for everyone.

Birds can molt several times a year, it all depends on their species. But all birds, without exception, undergo the first annual change of feathers. The beginning of this process is different for each species. For some - between migrations, for others - in the interval between laying eggs and the appearance of chicks.

What do birds need during molting?

During this period, the birds’ immunity is weakened, and their body needs additional microelements. While birds in their natural habitat intuitively find everything they need, birds living at home need additional care. This includes mandatory vitamin supplements and special foods. This is especially necessary for those whose process occurs in winter. Birds with bright colors need to be given more attention than others. If they are fed incorrectly, their plumage will become dull.

What to do if the bird does not moult

The reason for the lack of shedding may lie in illness or incipient health problems. Such birds are kept in warm rooms, but the air should not be very dry or humid. It is also necessary that the cage or enclosure be large and spacious.

What is molting in birds called? This is a change in plumage that can cause the skin to become tougher. So that it does not dry out and remains elastic, swimsuits with water should be installed in cages and enclosures. If the bird does not use them, then it must be sprayed daily with a spray bottle. But if molting has not yet occurred, then you can try adding ant pupae to the food.

Molting in chickens: features

Due to the fact that it is possible to regulate the climate, the molting process does not depend at all on the season. A chicken bred in spring moults in early winter or late autumn. Accordingly, if she was born in the fall, then this process occurs at the end of spring or summer. During the molting period, the chicken does not lay eggs. It lasts from 15 to 20 days. After molting, the chicken's egg production immediately resumes.

Individuals that were born in the spring are mainly raised for meat. Because their egg-laying period is short, keeping such a bird on a farm is unprofitable. At the same time, molting in such chickens proceeds very slowly.

How do parrots change plumage?

For these birds, the process occurs several times a year. The very first molt in parrots begins at two months of age. This period is very important, as individuals occur. After the end of molting, the parrot is considered already adult and sexually mature.

This is a process for the normal existence of birds. Feathers change not only during puberty, but throughout life. This usually happens twice a year. At the same time, the bird becomes inactive, lethargy and drowsiness appear. This is due to the fact that during molting, metabolic processes intensify.

Plumage changes also occur after the mating period. In some species, the molting process is completely invisible, and no bald patches are observed. But if the feathers fall out unbalanced, then the parrot cannot fly at that time. Often molting is a bird's reaction to fright. Sometimes this is a symptom of a serious illness.

How do cockatiels moult?

This natural process occurs in all birds, regardless of species. Corella also changes its color slightly in this way, since the new feathers have brighter and more saturated shades. But this species of bird also has its own characteristics.

We have already found out what is called molting in birds. In cockatiels, this process occurs gradually. The flight feathers change first, then the tail feathers. The process takes a long time - up to six months. And in several stages. But it is very difficult to notice this visually.

Young birds moult a little faster: they begin to lose their plumage by four months, and finish by the end of the first year of life. At this time, diet is very important. Your cockatiel needs to get as many vitamins and minerals as possible.

When molting, some parrots experience severe pain. But for the most part, the process is painless. However, molting in cockatiels is accompanied by unpleasant sensations. Therefore, in captivity, drafts and high humidity are contraindicated for them. The food should be complete, and during the period of peak molting - very nutritious. Oil seeds must be present in the diet; sunflower seeds, hemp or chopped nuts can be given. It is also recommended to use fortified ones, which are sold in all pet stores.

In the article we looked at what is called molting in birds, how it happens and when. To summarize, we can say briefly: this is the replacement of old feathers with new ones, which occurs at different times in birds of different species and ages, and also depends on the change of seasons, etc.

Instructions

Zoologists have been observing the molting of animals for decades. Research has established that the time and quality of molting are influenced by various factors. One of them is temperature. The biological process of molting in animals starts in nature at both low and high temperatures. Animals in the wild, or kept in enclosures, shed “like clockwork.” Such molts are called autumn and spring.

Double molting is suffered mainly by fur-bearing animals, squirrels, water rats, gophers, minks, hares, etc. Moles molt 3 times a year. But not all animals change their cover 2-3 times a year. Animals that hibernate molt only once a year. In individuals that hibernate for 7-9 months, a new coat of hair does not form during this period. They undergo one long moult, which lasts from spring until they go into hibernation.

Pets that are kept warm, periodically walk outside, or sit for some time on window sills, constantly experience temperature changes. Their molting loses its seasonality and becomes constant and pathological. In addition, this type of molting can occur due to improper diet of animals, stress and other circumstances. Hair loss due to an incorrect diet can occur in different ways, with less or greater loss of hair. With poor food, hair loss occurs mainly on the hips and back of the animal.

Age-related molting is a significant variability of fur during the growth period of animals. Moreover, in young individuals changes occur more actively. The time of age-related molting for each animal depends on the season of birth of the baby. The first age molting occurs between 3-7 months from the date of birth of the animal. At the end of breastfeeding, the cubs change their original furry cover. Secondary wool differs from the first one in structure and color. Age-related molting is typical for sheep, white fox, seals and other animals. Most often, the first down on animals is softer, more tender and velvety. The guard hairs of babies are thin and practically do not differ from down in thickness and length. This type of cover is often called plump. The color of the first hair coat is also different from the subsequent ones. Most often, the first one is darker, with the exception of newborn seals.

Wool, fluff, can shed in females during the sexual cycle or after the birth period of the animal. Shedding usually begins 5-10 weeks after the babies appear. During this type of shedding, the fur falls off mainly from the belly, chest and sides. This type of molting is called sexual molting; just like other moltings, it depends on the state of hormones in the animal’s body.