Prepping/Mounting/displaying a dead tarantula

[MrsHaas]

Hello friends.
Sadly my pet tarantula passed away yesterday. Once he died I stretched his legs out and allowed him to stiffen and they spread out position, no pins. He is currently in a airtight Tupperware container drying out but I am not sure if this is the correct way to prepare and tarantula for a display mount. Does anybody have any suggestions or ideas? This has to be quick because I fear that he may begin to decay. Other than getting him to stiffen in a spread out position I have no knowledge of how I should treat the body and Mount or display. Please get back to me as soon as you can I would really like to keep him in the family.
Thanks guys!

 

[JZC]

Hello friends.
Sadly my pet tarantula passed away yesterday. Once he died I stretched his legs out and allowed him to stiffen and they spread out position, no pins. He is currently in a airtight Tupperware container drying out but I am not sure if this is the correct way to prepare and tarantula for a display mount. Does anybody have any suggestions or ideas? This has to be quick because I fear that he may begin to decay. Other than getting him to stiffen in a spread out position I have no knowledge of how I should treat the body and Mount or display. Please get back to me as soon as you can I would really like to keep him in the family.
Thanks guys!

Shoot me a PM if you'd like, I could mount him for you.

 

[MrsHaas]

Do you have any advice on preserving the corpse? I have already stretched him out and will be pinning him down on Sunday- he is in a sealed Tupperware container for now, but I fear that he may begin to decay. I appreciate your offer but I would like to try to do this myself- any advice shy of doing it for me? Thx

---------- Post added 07-11-2014 at 04:32 PM ----------

Should I freeze him? Or will he dry out on his own in there?

 

[cold blood]

A sealed container won't exactly help it dry out, in fact it may help to promote mold growth. I'd leave it in the open air, the exo shouldn't breakdown as long as its dry.

 

[JZC]

On a paper towel in the freezer. Freeze dries it.

 

[MrsHaas]

How long do I keep him in the freezer? What do I put him in/on ? Should he be covered or not? Thx so much for your help!

 

[JZC]

Don't cover, just place him on a paper towel, and leave him for about 2 days or so. If it starts to smell, then you should just throw it out. Once they start to decompose they don't don't well, and if you even can mount it it won't stiffen. You can expedite the stiffening process by spreading it under a heat lamp.

 

[auskie]

What about putting it in a jar filled with some kind of liquid to preserve it? What would be best, alcohol, formaldehyde, something else I'm not familiar with?

 

[JZC]

What about putting it in a jar filled with some kind of liquid to preserve it? What would be best, alcohol, formaldehyde, something else I'm not familiar with?

That discolors it.

 

[MrsHaas]

He's been in the freezer ab two day on a paper towel like you said, and he's frozen in a nice position. Is it safe to take him out and mount him yet? Or I've heard some ppl say to keep them in there for up to three months to "freeze dry" him. What is the best method. You're wondeful for helping and letting me pick your brain thank you!!!!

---------- Post added 07-12-2014 at 08:29 PM ----------

Also, how to I prep him for mounting after I take him out if the fridge? Will he thaw out ok on the counter or do I need heat? And how long does it take him to full dry out after I take him out of the freezer? once he's dry can I just pin/glue him in a display box I assume? Thx soo much!! !

 

[MrsHaas]

Here he is after I relaxed him:

 

[Biollantefan54]

I don't know if you know this but your T is a MM, just saying that is why he more than likely died. Again, if you already know this sorry . I usually put spiders (I haven't done it on a tarantula yet) and other inverts on a piece of Styrofoam and stick needles where I want everything to be. I have done it to probably 20+ inverts and it works. On spiders the abdomen will usually concave in though. Right now I am doing this to a HUGE Dolomedes male.

 

[MrsHaas]

Is it safe to just take them out of the fridge after a few days and pin them while frozen still? How long to the talks to thaw/dry outside the freezer before mounting?

---------- Post added 07-13-2014 at 12:47 PM ----------

He was a MM and died of old age. Do you kno a good website to order suppliws ?

 

[JZC]

Is it safe to just take them out of the fridge after a few days and pin them while frozen still? How long to the talks to thaw/dry outside the freezer before mounting?

---------- Post added 07-13-2014 at 12:47 PM ----------

He was a MM and died of old age. Do you kno a good website to order suppliws ?

Let him thaw first. When he is spread, heating it can expedite the process (under a heat lamp). I hope he comes out nice!

 

[MrsHaas]

Thank you all!

Thank u all for ur wonderful advice and generous helpfulness. I think he should come out decent! I'm going to take him out of the freezer tonight or tomorrow and thaw him and hopefully pin him down this week. Will post a picture!
Anyone have any ideas on what kind of specific supplies I need/ and tips on making him look great on display??
Again thx much to all

 

[JZC]

Thank u all for ur wonderful advice and generous helpfulness. I think he should come out decent! I'm going to take him out of the freezer tonight or tomorrow and thaw him and hopefully pin him down this week. Will post a picture!
Anyone have any ideas on what kind of specific supplies I need/ and tips on making him look great on display??
Again thx much to all

The best looking displays imo are Ts in a shadow box. You can find them at most any arts and crafts store.

 

[MrsHaas]

After I take him out of the freezer I should put him somewhere warm to thaw for how long? After he is fully thawed can I pin him right away? Plz help it's coming time to mount him and I'm feeling my inexperience! Thx all

 

[JZC]

After I take him out of the freezer I should put him somewhere warm to thaw for how long? After he is fully thawed can I pin him right away? Plz help it's coming time to mount him and I'm feeling my inexperience! Thx all

Not warm per say, just leave him open on the same towel until he isn't frozen, maybe room temperature-ish. Then its fine.

 

[MrsHaas]

Thank u thank u thank u thank u!!!