CABIV
Arachnosquire
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2014
- Messages
- 95
I have a fairly large male Damon diadema. Despite having lost both whips, he seems healthy, and in the last month or so it seems like he might be going into premolt (bulking up despite not eating much if at all).
This would be my first time trying to get through a molt with one of these creatures, and I suppose I just want to double check that everything is "normal". I have the Orin McMonigle book, and I have reviewed the pages on molting, but I am not sure I feel satisfied.
Because it seems to be doing just fine, I plan to leave the animal alone, but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything.
So, what is "normal" for a whipspider such as this? what should I expect? What is the "time-line" on average (premolt sluggishness -> hanging -> Molting -> post molt)?
Some Further details-
- I am not sure he has eaten anything in months. The last time it may have eaten was late November, but only because I could not account for all the prey in the enclosure (at this point, there were several that had escaped predation, but I knew there should have been more in there).
- I first observed the "bloatedness" and some green highlights I hadn't noticed before on December 21.
- He has moved out of view and all I can see is his right pedipalp and legs. He has not changed location or direction since then. His limbs are often posed differently, and he responds to the door being opened and closed, but only minor shifting. He doesn't seem to be hanging, just sitting.
- Because it is winter, it is very dry. I've been keeping the water dish full and I have a large damp patch beneath where he is hiding. The screen lid is covered 80-90% or so with plastic wrap. It has never dried out in there, so I think this is good.
I have photos uploading but they are taking time.
This would be my first time trying to get through a molt with one of these creatures, and I suppose I just want to double check that everything is "normal". I have the Orin McMonigle book, and I have reviewed the pages on molting, but I am not sure I feel satisfied.
Because it seems to be doing just fine, I plan to leave the animal alone, but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything.
So, what is "normal" for a whipspider such as this? what should I expect? What is the "time-line" on average (premolt sluggishness -> hanging -> Molting -> post molt)?
Some Further details-
- I am not sure he has eaten anything in months. The last time it may have eaten was late November, but only because I could not account for all the prey in the enclosure (at this point, there were several that had escaped predation, but I knew there should have been more in there).
- I first observed the "bloatedness" and some green highlights I hadn't noticed before on December 21.
- He has moved out of view and all I can see is his right pedipalp and legs. He has not changed location or direction since then. His limbs are often posed differently, and he responds to the door being opened and closed, but only minor shifting. He doesn't seem to be hanging, just sitting.
- Because it is winter, it is very dry. I've been keeping the water dish full and I have a large damp patch beneath where he is hiding. The screen lid is covered 80-90% or so with plastic wrap. It has never dried out in there, so I think this is good.
I have photos uploading but they are taking time.