PDA

View Full Version : TWS Shed - Start to Finish (Photos)

RoachGirlRen
04-26-2009, 01:45 PM
I had the rare opportunity last night to witness one of stevetastic's tailless whip scorpions (Damon diadema) shedding, from start to finish. I thought you might enjoy seeing them yourself as there aren't many photos of the process floating around out there. Apologies for the gritty quality; I did not want the flash to startle or stress the animal while shedding.

This is the stage the little dude was at when we found him:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/RandomHiro/shed1.jpg

Check out that unearthly green!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/RandomHiro/shed2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/RandomHiro/shed3.jpg

The "arms" were bent at a striking angle - when they finally pulled free it was a strange sight to see them bounce into their appropriate shape.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/RandomHiro/shed4.jpg

Ah, one of my favorite parts. Once the animal's forelegs were completely free, it used its "claws" to facilitate the removal of the "whips" from the old exo by grasping and manipulating. This was really fascinating to watch!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/RandomHiro/shed5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/RandomHiro/shed6.jpg

This was precarious; the TWS needed to find a surface to grasp on while hanging only by its abdomen from it's old exo. The process was very slow as the legs and whips of the shed got in the way of its reach.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/RandomHiro/shed7.jpg

Finally 100% out and clinging safely to the corkbark!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/RandomHiro/shed8.jpg

Hope you enjoyed and thanks stevetastic for letting my photograph this process!
stevetastic
04-26-2009, 01:53 PM
that was a very cool thing to watch! its my 5th one to molt but the only one i caught in the act.

still confused as to how it was sticking to its old exo by just his abdomen while stretching his legs.
buthus
04-29-2009, 08:07 PM
QUICK! Call Ellen Ripley ...we need her now! :D :worship:
Elizabeth
04-29-2009, 08:34 PM
Do you think it's possible that it was stuck to the abdominal exuvia until it could get a grip with it's legs and push away from it?
stevetastic
04-29-2009, 09:56 PM
Do you think it's possible that it was stuck to the abdominal exuvia until it could get a grip with it's legs and push away from it?

yes just not sure how:?
Endagr8
04-29-2009, 10:29 PM
Cool pics! :clap: :clap: :clap: I've always wondered how they can pull those whips out of the exuvium....now I know!

How long did it take?
RoachGirlRen
04-30-2009, 02:33 PM
I want to say around an hour? Not entirely sure though, perhaps stevetastic has some insight into that. I was fairly tired (I know it ended around 1am) so my concept of time is shakey.

And yes, it does appear that the animal hangs by its abdomen from the exuvia as it searches for a foothold. The question is, by what mechanism!
Ritzman
04-30-2009, 03:04 PM
Incredible photos.
Kinda creepy with the lighting, might I add.
Thanks for sharing. :)
fatich
04-30-2009, 03:31 PM
awesome pics thanks for sharing
stevetastic
04-30-2009, 07:05 PM
I want to say around an hour? Not entirely sure though, perhaps stevetastic has some insight into that. I was fairly tired (I know it ended around 1am) so my concept of time is shakey.


hour. hour and a half maybe?
Galapoheros
04-30-2009, 11:10 PM
Now I know where they got the idea for the creatures in "Alien", when the thing grabs on to the faces of people in the movie!