The last one molted to first instar last night... :kiss:

The Blue clearly visible already !! :laugh:

Second instar... and its exuvium. So all of you with heating issues this winter, get into your car, PRONTO !!

3 June 2012

All accept six have molted to second instar.

Some very interesting (jet frustrating) events that caught my eye this morning.

Most of the slings are actively eating some of the exuviae that are in abundance at the moment. There are a few exceptions.

The image below shows three second instar slings eating another second instar that was busy molting. It is clear that the victim is not first instar any more, but have emerged and was "attacked" during the molt. When I took the dead spider away from the others in quite a tussle, I could see parts of its exuvium stuck to its abdomen.



One of the second instar slings could not wait, so it grabbed a first instar sibling and killed it. I did not try to take it away because it is obviously dead, so the cannibal may just as well enjoy the meal.



I will give them another five days together, then separate them into tubs where they can molt into third instar and start eating live food (other than P metallica). They are awesome little shits none the less...

why not separate them now?

I can't now, I'm sitting here typing this massage and reading BS posts... :laugh:

As you know, a freshly molted spider must be given time to harden its new exuvium. The chances of injury to a freshly molted second instar sling is just not worth the risk. When they are stiff, I move them.

Seconly, it is far easier to control the temperature in one large tub than it is in "a number" of small ones. They are constantly between 28 and 30 degrees with similar humidity. This is almost impossible to maintain when in small tubs.

Thirdly, I am freaken lazy...

Hear ye !! Hear ye !! Hear ye !!

Third instar, and pretty as a Peacock...