awiec
Arachnoprince
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2014
- Messages
- 1,325
Hi,
I don't like to post threads much but I decided that I had a little story to share that can help others in the event that they have a stuck spider.
I received 2 .5inch P.regalis slings last week from a user here on AB from a trade we did, both arrived in good shape and in pre-molt. One of the duo molted several days ago with no complications so I anticipated its sibling to follow, which it did..half way. I came home from work on Wednesday to see that the sling was molting but appeared to only have a few limbs out, I decided to leave it alone overnight to do its thing but I had feeling in my gut that it would not get out. When I woke up Thursday morning I noted no progress so I took action, I very carefully moved it onto a slightly damp paper towel in a flat surface and started working. I had my headlamp, a small pair of revlon tweezers and a small soft wet paintbrush. I used the tweezers to hold the exo in place while I carefully wetted it with my brush in hopes that the sling could pop itself out. While it was slapping at me and trying the best it could, I could only get one limb out so I decided that 4 legs and both palps would be enough. I carefully used the paint brush and stroked at one of the leg joints, this eventually got the sling to pop them off itself. I could have amputated them by cutting them near a joint but I decided I would give the spider a chance to do it first. I then worked to get the rest of the exo off the abdomen, the book lungs were clear, just some had stuck near the spinnerets, I gently pulled the exo with my tweezers and used the paint brush to soften/dislodge the exo and from what I can tell, I got it all off. The sling is now in a small ventilated vial with paper towel as I did not want it dragging itself on sub, this will also allow me to easily offer pre-killed prey to fatten it up quickly so it can regenerate faster. I will post a picture of the sling once it has had some time to recover, I have high hopes as it was fighting me the entire time I was operating (total of about 8 minutes).
Now for the person who has never had to help a spider out of a molt (this will be my 3rd time doing it in the past 2 years)
* Every situation is different so there is no one true solution but the main thing is: If a spider is stuck you either have to hope it gets out itself or you need to do something (whether it's getting it out or putting it out of its misery thats up to you)
* Some spiders just have a hard time molting, you can keep them perfectly and for some reason they will still get stuck, the sling's sibling was kept in the same conditions but molted just fine.
* Time is very important the sooner you can spot a problem and fix it the better chances you spider will have. NOTE it will take some time to figure out how fast a spider normally molts but for a sling this size (.5 inches) 24 hours is way too long and it appeared to be in distress. I suggest spending time watching molt videos or watching your own spider molt to get a feel for what is normal, you will know something is wrong if you see enough of your spiders molt.
* IF you need to cut off limbs then do it right before a leg segment, spiders have muscles in each segment that will allow them to close off the wound and not bleed, having flour/corn starch around is not a bad idea though. Spiders will regenerate with the next molt and I've noticed that they molt a little faster when they are regenerating.
* If you suspect a molt, make sure your moisture source is set, i.e. water bowl is full, if the sub needs to be moistened, make sure your moss isn't dry etc. this can all make sure that your spider will have an easier time molting.
* Any extra tips/corrections from others is appreciated.
I don't like to post threads much but I decided that I had a little story to share that can help others in the event that they have a stuck spider.
I received 2 .5inch P.regalis slings last week from a user here on AB from a trade we did, both arrived in good shape and in pre-molt. One of the duo molted several days ago with no complications so I anticipated its sibling to follow, which it did..half way. I came home from work on Wednesday to see that the sling was molting but appeared to only have a few limbs out, I decided to leave it alone overnight to do its thing but I had feeling in my gut that it would not get out. When I woke up Thursday morning I noted no progress so I took action, I very carefully moved it onto a slightly damp paper towel in a flat surface and started working. I had my headlamp, a small pair of revlon tweezers and a small soft wet paintbrush. I used the tweezers to hold the exo in place while I carefully wetted it with my brush in hopes that the sling could pop itself out. While it was slapping at me and trying the best it could, I could only get one limb out so I decided that 4 legs and both palps would be enough. I carefully used the paint brush and stroked at one of the leg joints, this eventually got the sling to pop them off itself. I could have amputated them by cutting them near a joint but I decided I would give the spider a chance to do it first. I then worked to get the rest of the exo off the abdomen, the book lungs were clear, just some had stuck near the spinnerets, I gently pulled the exo with my tweezers and used the paint brush to soften/dislodge the exo and from what I can tell, I got it all off. The sling is now in a small ventilated vial with paper towel as I did not want it dragging itself on sub, this will also allow me to easily offer pre-killed prey to fatten it up quickly so it can regenerate faster. I will post a picture of the sling once it has had some time to recover, I have high hopes as it was fighting me the entire time I was operating (total of about 8 minutes).
Now for the person who has never had to help a spider out of a molt (this will be my 3rd time doing it in the past 2 years)
* Every situation is different so there is no one true solution but the main thing is: If a spider is stuck you either have to hope it gets out itself or you need to do something (whether it's getting it out or putting it out of its misery thats up to you)
* Some spiders just have a hard time molting, you can keep them perfectly and for some reason they will still get stuck, the sling's sibling was kept in the same conditions but molted just fine.
* Time is very important the sooner you can spot a problem and fix it the better chances you spider will have. NOTE it will take some time to figure out how fast a spider normally molts but for a sling this size (.5 inches) 24 hours is way too long and it appeared to be in distress. I suggest spending time watching molt videos or watching your own spider molt to get a feel for what is normal, you will know something is wrong if you see enough of your spiders molt.
* IF you need to cut off limbs then do it right before a leg segment, spiders have muscles in each segment that will allow them to close off the wound and not bleed, having flour/corn starch around is not a bad idea though. Spiders will regenerate with the next molt and I've noticed that they molt a little faster when they are regenerating.
* If you suspect a molt, make sure your moisture source is set, i.e. water bowl is full, if the sub needs to be moistened, make sure your moss isn't dry etc. this can all make sure that your spider will have an easier time molting.
* Any extra tips/corrections from others is appreciated.