How long must I wait?

[Annie3Ponies]

I got home from a 48 hour trip, and I can peek in my L. parahybana's hide and see a fresh exuvium in there and barely see the spider further in. (This was an expected molt, was in premolt all week previously).

How long, till I can lift up the end of the hide just enough to snag the exo with my forceps and take a look? Its now been 24 hours since I got home and sighted it, so its been that long minimum since the molt. Or had I best wait till the critter emerges on its own to eat/drink, and dive in then?

I think I know what you'll say, but hoping for a different answer.....thanks

 

[Mina]

You really should wait until you see the T moving around on its own. If you go poking around before the T has turned upright again, it might injure itself flipping upright quickly because it got startled.
Even if the skin dries out, put a few drops of water mixed with just a little dishsoap on the abdomen and you can still sex the T if the skin isn't to mangled.