Molt Preservation?

[spidersrclass]

I did a search on this and never got very far, I'v heard of using hairspray to preserve T molts but am looking for some more info on any good methods of preserving my T Blondi molt? :?

Thanks much

 

[bugguy1]

What I usually do, while the moult is still pliable, is position the legs spread out and reattach the carapace with a dab of glue. If you feel really motivated and it hasn't dried too much, you can even stuff the abdomen with a little bit of cotton and the final appearance is of an actual tarantula. Since I also collect insects I keep them in airtight shadowboxes and museum drawers and some of the skins I have I have had for 15 and more years and they still look like they did when they were first shed!

 

[spidersrclass]

What I usually do, while the moult is still pliable, is position the legs spread out and reattach the carapace with a dab of glue. If you feel really motivated and it hasn't dried too much, you can even stuff the abdomen with a little bit of cotton and the final appearance is of an actual tarantula. Since I also collect insects I keep them in airtight shadowboxes and museum drawers and some of the skins I have I have had for 15 and more years and they still look like they did when they were first shed!

Thanks a lot, exactly the kind of info I was looking for

How do you get the abdomen looking good if it has split along the top though?
i could fill it with cotton but then I'd still have the split where the T had popped it open :?

 

[bugguy1]

The key to doing the abdomen is to do it as soon as the tarantula is done moulting. If you want to wait so as to not disturb the newly moulted spider, you can always put the skin into an airtight tupperware container between some moist paper towels for 12-24 hours...this will soften everything up nicely. Then you just gently, using rounded tip forceps (I think they're called spade tips) gently pull the skin up over and around the cotton ball. You will not need alot of cotton...the final result will be a slightly smaller abdomen than usual. Then as you bring the abdomen skin over the cotton ball you can glue the edges of where it split together sealing it all together. When you are done, and if it is correct, you can even position the spinnerets.

 

[Widowman10]

yes, or for a quicker process, just soak the dried molt in hot water for 15 minutes. works just as well and you can work on it right away.

oh- and sometimes i'll use hairspray when i'm completely finished, but it is not necessary.

 

[Drachenjager]

I did a search on this and never got very far, I'v heard of using hairspray to preserve T molts but am looking for some more info on any good methods of preserving my T Blondi molt? :?

Thanks much

I normally dont respond to threads like this but seeing as this was posted while the other one was still on the FIRST page !!!!!!!!!!!!!
If this thread( http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=122129 )didnt answer your question, you should have posted in it rather than making a new thread about a topic that has been hashed out many times here.
But, anyway Just hang in there, and learn the search function. Or at least look at the first page of the section before making a new thread.

Hope you got the answers you need tho. GL

 

[spidersrclass]

I normally dont respond to threads like this but seeing as this was posted while the other one was still on the FIRST page !!!!!!!!!!!!!
If this thread( http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=122129 )didnt answer your question, you should have posted in it rather than making a new thread about a topic that has been hashed out many times here.
But, anyway Just hang in there, and learn the search function. Or at least look at the first page of the section before making a new thread.

Hope you got the answers you need tho. GL

Are you a moderator? you don't seem to have any advice, just criticism about making a new thread when a similar one was "on the FIRST page!!!!!!!!"

For your information I don't know how I managed to miss the similar thread but I did, and only realised after posting this thread, so, for all you jimmy's out there who like to post criticising replies on peoples Q threads.... so sorry.

P.s get it up ye

 

[spidersrclass]

Oh, an p.p.s, thanks for your help guys :clap: