Pronunciation: [mˈə͡ʊlts] (IPA) 
The verb "molts" is spelled with a silent "L" in English. The IPA phonetic transcription for "molts" is /moʊts/. The "M" is pronounced with an "M" sound, the "O" with a long "O" sound, the "L" is silent, and the "T" is pronounced with a "T" sound. This word is used to say that an animal has shed its old skin, feathers, or hair. It is commonly used to refer to the process in which birds lose their feathers to grow new ones.
Molts, or moults, is a verb that refers to the process in which animals or insects shed their outer covering, usually their feathers, hair, skin, or exoskeleton, in order to grow a new one. This shedding process occurs periodically as part of the animal's or insect's growth and development.
During molting, the old covering is cast off or shed, making way for the growth of a new and larger covering. This process is particularly common among birds, reptiles, insects, and crustaceans. Molting is necessary as the old covering becomes worn out, damaged, or too small to accommodate the animal's increasing body size.
The timing and frequency of molting can vary greatly among different species. Some animals molt once a year, while others undergo multiple molting cycles in a year. The duration of molting also varies, and some animals may require several days or weeks to complete the process.
Molting is a critical aspect of an animal's life cycle as it enables growth, adaptation, and recovery. It allows the animal to replace old or damaged structures, such as feathers or exoskeletons, with new and stronger ones. Moreover, molting often coincides with other physiological changes, such as changes in hormones, metabolism, or behavior, which contribute to the overall development of the animal.
