Scorpion Growth and Development

In order to grow, scorpions must molt, a process during which they shed their old exoskeletons. Each time a scorpion molts, it progresses to the next instar. An instar is the period between molts. At birth, a scorpion is in its first instar, and it will molt four to nine times before reaching adulthood. Once the molting process has begun, the old exoskeleton cracks open at the anterior (front), and the scorpion passes through this opening to free itself. Below is a sequence of photos showing the molting process.