This Spider is Giving Us Linda Blair Vibes

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At first glance, the spider in this Instagram video looks as if it is possessed, its body contorting, twisting, and splitting open. While this image can be startling, there’s no need to alert the local priest; the spider is simply molting. By shedding their hard outer shells, spiders can make room for new, larger exoskeletons as they grow. Spiders complete this process entirely on their own; no exorcist needed.

Understanding a Spider’s Exoskeleton

Spider molting — Chitin is a type of carbohydrate that provides strength and structural support.

©Instagram / @wierdworld124 – Original

The outside of a spider’s body is covered with a layer of protein and chitin called the cuticle or exoskeleton. This outer layer is similar to a human’s skin, helping to protect the spider’s body from external harm.

The outer layers are exceptionally tough for maximum defense. The inner layers, in contrast, are softer and connect to the spider’s muscles, organs, and nerves. Despite its name, the exoskeleton also extends inward, lining some of the spider’s internal organs. Essentially, the exoskeleton acts as armor, protecting the spider’s body and even helping to regulate its blood pressure.

Shedding the Exoskeleton

Spider shedding its exoskeleton — All spider species molt and shed their skin.

©Instagram / @wierdworld124 – Original

Since this hard, protective shell does not grow or stretch, the spider must periodically shed it and grow a new, larger one. This process is known as ecdysis or molting and helps the spider continue developing and increasing in size.

Younger spiders molt more often because they have much more growth ahead of them, while older spiders molt much less frequently. Araneomorphs, including the most common types of spiders, have shorter lifespans and stop molting once they reach sexual maturity. Mygalomorphs, including tarantulas, continue to molt throughout their surprisingly long lives. This typically occurs every year or every few years once they are fully grown.

Preparation for Molting

Spider preparing to molt — Tarantulas typically lie on their backs or sides to molt.

©Instagram / @wierdworld124 – Original

Before the spider can shed its current exoskeleton, it must first grow a new one. This soft, pliable replacement develops beneath the old, hard layer. Once the new exoskeleton is complete but still hidden, the spider begins a process to dissolve all the connections between its old shell and the newly formed one, preserving only the nerve connections for its external organs — including its eyes, chemosensors (for taste and smell), and touch-sensitive hairs. These vital organs remain linked to the old exoskeleton right up until the final moment of shedding.

In the time leading up to the molt, the spider often becomes reclusive and irritable, hiding in burrows or under leaves. Some hang by silk threads, while others, like tarantulas, lie on their backs or spin a silken mat.

When the spider is finally ready, it completely severs the last remaining nerve connections from its old exoskeleton. It then forces over two-thirds of its hemolymph (a circulatory fluid, similar to human blood) from its abdomen into the cephalothorax (the front section that holds the legs and head). This sudden increase in pressure causes the carapace (the hard plate on the back of the cephalothorax) to crack open.

Escaping the Exuvia

Because the new exoskeleton is still soft and flexible, the spider can carefully and slowly wiggle out through the crack in the old exoskeleton. This escape can take anywhere from just a few minutes to several days.

The spider must meticulously extract its chelicerae (mouthparts), palps (small feeler organs), and all eight legs from the old exoskeleton. This discarded shell, now called the exuvia, hardens and looks eerily like a full-bodied spider.

Once it has discarded its exuvia, the spider immediately begins pumping hemolymph into its legs. This creates the pressure it needs to stretch the new, still-soft exoskeleton to a larger size.

But because this new outer layer is still soft and flexible, the spider is extremely vulnerable. It will usually hide for several days while the new exoskeleton hardens into place. After molting, the spider may appear slightly deflated, more transparent, or brighter than before. It will continue to stretch its legs to ensure that each joint remains flexible, as seen in the Instagram video. The vulnerable spider cannot even eat until its new exoskeleton is completely solidified, as chewing could easily cause permanent damage to its sensitive mouthparts.

The Risks and Benefits of Molting

The most difficult part of molting for a spider is freeing its eight long legs. The spider pulls its main body out of the old exoskeleton first. Then, once its new shell is free from the old one, it immediately begins to harden. The spider must race against the clock to extract its legs.

If the environment is too dry, the spider’s new exoskeleton may harden too quickly, potentially trapping the spider inside or causing its new skin to set in a bad shape. If a leg gets bent or stuck when the shell hardens, it will remain in that deformed position, leaving the spider with a permanent physical disability. Spiders commonly lose a leg during molting, and sadly, some even become trapped and don’t survive the process.

However, molting is not just about growth; it also offers the chance to regenerate lost limbs. Spiders can replace lost or injured legs, although it may take several molts before the new limb is fully grown and matches the size of the others. It is common to spot a spider with legs of different sizes — a clear sign that it is still in the process of regenerating a previously damaged limb.

The post This Spider is Giving Us Linda Blair Vibes appeared first on A-Z Animals.

November 23, 2025 at 07:31PMKellianne Matthews