Anyone had any luck selling molts?

[CoinJar]

My B. Smithi molted several months ago. At the time I stuffed the abdomen with some cotton and used super glue to get all the parts back together in a somewhat presentable way. I've had it just sitting around as a "creepy decoration". A few days ago I had the idea of listing it on ebay. So I went out and got a cheap 99 cent frame and framed the molt. Keep in mind it looks very amateurish and I listed it on eBay as "Tarantula Taxidermy" and explained that it was very amateurly done and posted several up-close photos of the specimen and frame. I started it at $1 and it is currently at $15 with 6 bids and still 5 days left in the auction. I am completely surprised by this, as I was doubtful it would bring in $3.

I find it funny that I could possibly be making profit off of my pets' waste products.

 

[fuzzyavics72]

You should keep the molt for yourself. Don't forget molts are very fragile.

My mom gives my molts away to her co-workers. I don't give her nw terrestrial molts for the obvious reason. My mom's co-workers LOVE the tarantula molts, but don't love my tarantulas, lol.

 

[awiec]

I do know there is someone on here that buys molts and uses them for jewelry but I've found that people just like little weird things. For me having a framed and stuffed tarantula would be weird cause I have live ones but some people want "exotic" decorations without having to invest in keeping live animals. I'm glad there is an interest as stuffed molts doesn't harm the spider and specimens who complete a molt are obviously healthy and doing well in captivity.

 

[CoinJar]

I've been thinking, with the success of this molt, of possibly making a taxidermy piece with multiple tarantula molts showing the various poses and explaining what they meal. Sort of a "body language of the tarantula" sculpture.

 

[awiec]

I've been thinking, with the success of this molt, of possibly making a taxidermy piece with multiple tarantula molts showing the various poses and explaining what they meal. Sort of a "body language of the tarantula" sculpture.

May be rather difficult as then you have to start stuffing legs and using wires and such. With what you put in the shadow box the molt just sits there and you most likely didn't man handle it very much either so it is still intact.

 

[Meerkat]

You should keep the molt for yourself. Don't forget molts are very fragile.

My mom gives my molts away to her co-workers. I don't give her nw terrestrial molts for the obvious reason. My mom's co-workers LOVE the tarantula molts, but don't love my tarantulas, lol.

I'm curious what do her coworkers do with the molts? Use as deco, frame it?

OP I know someone gave away a molt to someone to use as Halloween decoration.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

There's a seller on ebay who sold embalmed T's (ready with picture and all etc) and he/she claims that those for sale were his/her dead T's (dead by old age, i assume). The seller is from Belarus and months ago, last time i checked, were available a lot, from Baboons to NW ones.

 

[Beary Strange]

It's an interesting idea to be sure. Personally though, I can't find the oomph to even mount them for myself so I can't see doing so to sell to others. XD;;

 

[Meerkat]

It's an interesting idea to be sure. Personally though, I can't find the oomph to even mount them for myself so I can't see doing so to sell to others. XD;;

^This exactly

 

[MrsHaas]

I do know there is someone on here that buys molts and uses them for jewelry but I've found that people just like little weird things. For me having a framed and stuffed tarantula would be weird cause I have live ones but some people want "exotic" decorations without having to invest in keeping live animals. I'm glad there is an interest as stuffed molts doesn't harm the spider and specimens who complete a molt are obviously healthy and doing well in captivity.

That would be me [emoji6]
OP, have you thought of opening an etsy shop? It's really easy and inexpensive.
I have one for my exuviae jewelry, if u want I could give you some tips - pm me!



--J.Haas

 

[Poec54]

A number of species have showy colors or markings on their abdomens, and that doesn't come across well with molts.

 

[MrsHaas]

A number of species have showy colors or markings on their abdomens, and that doesn't come across well with molts.

YES this can be quite disappointing [emoji22]



--J.Haas