how to untangle molt cast for sexing

[EDED]

how do you guys do it? warm water? soapy water?

whenever i try to sex a spider molt cast, i end up ripping the abdomen skin thats usually twisted and tangled,

smaller the spider, thinner the skin so i break it easily (the molt skin), im wondering wahts the best way

 

[becca81]

I usually use a small paintbrush and a little bit of water. I've had some molts that had dried out for several weeks (and were twisted) that I've been able to open back up successfully this way.

 

[Code Monkey]

I use mildly soapy water, plain water works but soapy water is faster and thorough at softening the exuvia.

 

[cacoseraph]

i tried to be clever one time, and basically packed skins like i was going to ship them... so skins inside a fairly sealed plastic box lined with damp paper towels.

bear in mind this the first good size skin i've gotten from a C.cyanopubescens i bought when it was just a wee thing and a skin from a P. irminia i'm curious about, cuz it's starting to get pretty good size, and it's the first time it's molted for me... so two of my prize babies, i guess you could say

the next step in my plan was to gently heat up the box with a tube blacklight ina clear plastic housing. i use the UV light to heat my cages at night. something must have distracted me cuz i forgot about them...


... for three weeks


as it turns out a spider shed can mold up pretty good in warm damp container with papertowels that have been sitting out for a while

*sigh*

luckily those guys both molt pretty fast

so for your benefit, this was more of a how NOT to prepare a shed for sexing :wall:

 

[shogun804]

the best thing to use after the molt is dry is rubbing alcohol. water sucks IMO. Too manipulate the abdomens wrinkled up skin i use 2 toothpics and a flathead drill bit. The flathead drill bit when placed at the top of the abdomen skin carefully bringing it down slowly will open the skin right up, once i have got it split open again i take the 2 toothpics and open it up.

 

[Windchaser]

I use rubbing alcohol as well. This seems to work fairly well. Plus, it helps to preserve the exuvium too.

 

[Tony]

I use one drop of strategically placed windex....Works for me...
T

 

[aaronrefalo]

i dont use any water or other solvents...i just immediatly before the T has moulted remove the exo...then with a forceps,another pointy object i have and a good light i manage to determine it....i like sexing T....its a good part of the hobbie..

Aaron

 

[becca81]

Windex?!! I've never thought of that! Does it cause any lasting damage to the molt after it has opened up?

As for soapy water, I've been thinking about trying this, as I've heard it mentioned several times as easier than just plain water. If you use soapy water (or anything else added to water) - is there a residue? I'm hoping to cast several molts in resin, and I'd like keep them natural-looking as possible.

 

[GoTerps]

I use ethyl alcohol... or water when I'm too lazy to go get the EA.

 

[Code Monkey]

As for soapy water, I've been thinking about trying this, as I've heard it mentioned several times as easier than just plain water. If you use soapy water (or anything else added to water) - is there a residue? I'm hoping to cast several molts in resin, and I'd like keep them natural-looking as possible.

No clue, the next step after sexing positively is throwing the moult in the trash. I use soapy water because it makes the whole moult very pliable and easy to manipulate. Plain water and alcohol have a tendency to only be but so pliable and there's nothing like the frustration of seeing the moult tear right in the area you need to see.

This is pure speculation since I've not tried it, but the soap residue might actually help with casting since it would probably help prevent the skin's tendency to form bubbles.