In this hot weather you are probably changing into a fresh set of clothes often. But like other creatures, we are shedding more than our artificial coverings (ie clothes). Humans lose 200,000 skin cells every hour or around five million skin cells in a day. The process is called desquamation. So like other creatures, we change as well.
In addition, some mammals shed their hair like Gracie. And I might add, she does a massive amount LOL. Now you are wondering where the heck I am going with this right?
Just right outside the backdoor, I found this exuviae of a grasshopper. “Changing clothes” allows it to grow to the next stage in its life. This made me wonder if the snake skin I found yesterday also is called an exuviae? And the answer is yes! A professor at the University of Valencia (Spain) provides a nice article, How is the moulting of insects and reptiles different? In the article, he says many insects eat their own exuviae. So that is why we don’t find exuviae for a lot of insects.
Birds change their old clothes too! This is either a Hairy or Downy Woodpecker feather (Picoides).
Very cool post – I love exuviae and get quite excited when I find one. Even cicada shells!
Yes, I too love the cicada’s exuviae. In fact, I have fond childhood memories of playing with them.
“Ghost” bugs are beautiful! Especially the Buffalo tree hopper. I also enjoy your links to interesting articles.
Agreed! and thanks!
The treehopper one is so intricate!! Wow!
Only the babies have that shape. 🙂