odd whipspider molting cycle

schmiggle

Arachnoking
Joined
Nov 3, 2013
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My Heterophrynus batesii whipspider molted twice within a month, after having spent about 4 months between molts. I had thought this could not happen. Any explanations/similar experiences?
 

wizentrop

to the rescue!
Old Timer
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Apr 20, 2005
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615
One possible explanation is presence of parasites or fungal growth over the exoskeleton. Many invertebrates (and herps too) will molt to get rid of pathogens/parasites.
Not trying to say this is your case though. Might be something else.
Is it missing a limb or over-fed? Still, molting twice in one month is peculiar, unless it is a tiny baby.
 

schmiggle

Arachnoking
Joined
Nov 3, 2013
Messages
2,220
It is now 5th instar. I had considered the parasite explanation, but I didn't see anything out of the ordinary on the old one. It was not missing any limbs. However, over-feeding might easily be the issue. I hadn't realized that could be a problem. I had been feeding it crickets about its own length, which means they were bigger than it. I just figured since they've been recorded eating small vertebrates, it couldn't hurt...
 
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