The process of replacing the outer covers in animals is called molting. The natural process of renewal of cuticles, wool, scales or feathers can be considered under optimal conditions for keeping animals. The molt of animals is divided into three main ones: seasonal, age, and constant.
Instructions
Step 1
Zoologists have been observing the molting of animals for more than a dozen years. It has been established by research that various factors influence the time and quality of molt. One of them is temperature. The biological process of molting in animals is triggered in nature both at low and high temperatures. Animals in nature, or kept in open-air cages, molt "like clockwork." Such molts are called autumn and spring molts.
Step 2
Two-fold molt is carried mainly by fur-bearing animals, squirrels, water rats, small-toed gophers, minks, hares, etc. Moles molt 3 times a year. But not all animals change their cover 2-3 times a year. Hibernating animals molt only once a year. In individuals hibernating for 7-9 months, a new hair cover does not form during this period. They endure 1 long molt, which lasts from spring until hibernation.
Step 3
Pets kept warm, periodically walking on the street, sitting for some time on the windowsills, constantly receive a temperature drop. Their molting loses its seasonality, becomes permanent, pathological. In addition, this type of molt can occur with improper animal diet, stress, and other circumstances. Loss of hair from the wrong diet can take place in different ways, with less or more loss of hair. With poor feed, hair loss occurs mainly on the hips and back of the animal.
Step 4
Age molting is a significant variability of fur during the growth period of animals. Moreover, in young individuals, changes are more active. The age of molt for each animal depends on the season of the baby's birth. The first age molt occurs in the period from 3-7 months from the date of birth of the animal. Cubs at the end of breastfeeding change their initial furry coat. Secondary wool differs from the first in structure, color. Age-related molting is typical for sheep, arctic fox, seals and other animals. Most often, the first fluff on animals is softer, softer and more velvety. The guard hairs of babies are thin, practically do not differ from fluff in thickness and length. Such a cover is often called plump. The color of the first hairline is also different from the subsequent ones. Most often, the first is darker, with the exception of newborn seals.
Step 5
Wool, down, can shed in females during the sexual cycle or after the birth of the animal. Molting usually begins 5-10 weeks after the babies appear. With such a molt, wool mainly falls from the abdomen, chest and sides. Such a molt is called sexual, it, like other molts, depends on the state of hormones in the animal's body.
