Preserving moults

[Helen Roberts]

I was wondering how you preserve the old skin when a spider sheds. My daughters P canceroides has just moulted again and she is wanting to collect the old skins so she can compare size difference.

Thanks

[lee smith]

i usually just set it out in a pose while its still moist and then let it dry out on its own.

[Dave Gunter]

I do as Lee said then i find the best way to store them is in a chinese takeaway container with a piece of kitchen towel in the bottom, with the lid snapped on they are well protected and stay clean.

[Colin D Wilson]

I do the same as dave but use old cricket tubs instead.

[Robert Farmer]

Kain preserves his exuvia in resin, using a small tupperware dish as a mould...

Might be worth trying if you get a particularly good shed?

[Helen Roberts]

Many thanks for the information guys, I shall try when I eventually get the old skin out.

[KJ Vezino]

Here's something fun I like to do when I get intact molts. Just do it when they are still pliable (or rehydrate them), and glue them in place. I use hot glue to attach the underside of the body and superglue to attach the legs. I attach the carapace back on with superglue as well. It's great because you get to pose them how you want to. Then just let them dry out. No special preserving materials required. The display in the first pic is almost two years old. The one in the second pic is the next molt form the same spider (E. campestratus). The tiny one is a G. aureostriata. The large acrylic boxes are 4 inches across and the smaller one is 2.25".