Tarantula and Invert Mounts

Hobo

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How many of you have done mounts like this?
I've done one, sort of. It's a molt though.


Thankfully, I haven't had the opportunity to mount a dead one yet.
 

Travis K

TravIsGinger
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Jan 6, 2007
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Hobo,

Your molt mount turned out pretty good. I have some molts I am thinking of doing like that, but haven't yet. Oh, and give it time you will have actual dead specimens that will be nice enough to preserve.

Good job,
 

dannyboypede

Arachnosquire
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Aug 22, 2010
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You know those aren't communal species...right? Also, that is not a very good substrate:barf:!

--Dan
 

Vespula

Arachnodemon
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Jul 27, 2010
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Wow. That's really cool! I'm planning on making some mounts and jewelry from the molts of my littlest slings. Maybe a ring or a necklace or something.
 

killy

Arachnoknight
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May 20, 2009
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Ditto Mr Hobo - I haven't been in this hobby long enough, and may I never be, to have a full-grown dead tarantula to mount (how in the world does one do THAT???) - I've been experimenting with arranging molts, mainly for growth comparison purposes, and artsy little horizontal treatments like this ...



... but as is evident, I'm not very good at it yet - not ready to do anything suitable for wall-hanging ... but when I am, where did you get those cool frames? Do you make them yourself?
 

DrJ

Arachnobaron
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Jan 11, 2008
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... but as is evident, I'm not very good at it yet - not ready to do anything suitable for wall-hanging ... but when I am, where did you get those cool frames? Do you make them yourself?
Hobby Lobby is a great source for shadow boxes. I've used quite a few of them for displaying knives. ;)
 

Travis K

TravIsGinger
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Hobby Lobby is a great source for shadow boxes. I've used quite a few of them for displaying knives. ;)
Yes, Hobby Lobby and Michael's are great sources. That particular shadow box is from Michael's and I only paid around $7 for it.
 

Hobo

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How do you dry out a specimen without the abdomen leaking, or anything else getting damaged? I'm assuming you don't just leave it somewhere to dry? Or do you...? I would think it wouldn't smell too good if the specimen was large.

I may get a chance sooner than I think. I have a MM avic that's fairly old. I wouldn't mind him in a nice shadowbox diorama when he passes on :)
 

zonbonzovi

Creeping beneath you
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Oct 20, 2008
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How do you dry out a specimen without the abdomen leaking, or anything else getting damaged? I'm assuming you don't just leave it somewhere to dry? Or do you...? I would think it wouldn't smell too good if the specimen was large.
You're not gonna like this, but:

Make an incision on the ventral side of the abdomen with a razor blade. Scoop out the, um...innards. Stuff with cotton or some other inert material & either sew(I don't suggest this unless you're good with a needle) or Krazy glue the incision shut. You may need a little tape over the incision while the glue dries. After that, I personally would freeze dry for a while before letting the body to air dry. With an MM/smaller abdomen, it'll be a bit easier. Drying time = be patient. I avoid alcohol as it tends to discolor while drying. Post your results!
 

Travis K

TravIsGinger
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With all of the inverts in that display they were left alone and placed on desiccant. I was not planning on doing this with them, but it has worked out well.
 
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