Ecdysis is the biological process through which certain animals, such as arthropods and reptiles, shed their outer layer or skin. This process allows them to grow, as their exoskeleton or skin does not expand. Ecdysis is essential for these animals to maintain their health and adapt to their environment. During ecdysis, the animal produces a new layer of skin beneath the old one. Once the new skin is ready, the old layer is discarded, often in one piece. This process can be observed in creatures like snakes and crabs, which periodically undergo ecdysis to accommodate their growth and development.