How do I molted spider?

B:L

How do you tell the difference whether a "dead spider" is actually a dead spider or just a molting?

I only ask, because you see, I woke up this morning with a "dead spider" the size of a quarter right next to my face on my pillow.


After doing some GIS, it looks like a molting, and I'd prefer to make sure it's dead.

Grim Outlook

then crush it with a book or something?

Pheezer

...if it's a molting, then the spider is somewhere else.

I do not envy your situation, this would bother the living hell out of me.

Grim Outlook

oh duh, i thought he meant it was still inside it's old skin during molting and it just wasn't moving.

you could check in dark spaces, do you have any piles of paper sitting around in your room? bugs sometimes like to hide in those.

CelestialBadger

Wow, horrific! I guess an actual dead spider would leak goo if you crush it. A skin would be a dried husk. If you are arachnophobic at all, best to vacuum your room!

B:L

Damnit, I threw it away in the outside trash can bin and I can't find it. :x


Here's the pics I took before I did:

It looked pretty dry so I guess I'll be cleaning and not sleeping tonight. o_O

AyeJaye

The thing about molting is whatever came out of that thing is now significantly bigger.

B:L

AyeJaye wrote: »

The thing about molting is whatever came out of that thing is now significantly bigger.

Makes it that much harder for it to hide, right?

Ha...ha...

fightinfilipino

hmm, those pics make it look like that was a deceased spider rather than a molted coat.

you might have rolled over the spider in your sleep while it was casing your ear canal for a possible hidey-hole/hunting spot.

i would also recommend some cotton swabs for your ears

Sceptre

fightinfilipino wrote: »

hmm, those pics make it look like that was a deceased spider rather than a molted coat.

you might have rolled over the spider in your sleep while it was casing your ear canal for a possible hidey-hole/hunting spot.

i would also recommend some cotton swabs for your ears

I hate you.

Crashtard

I have to agree with filipino, it looks like a dead spider to me. Oh man, I'm still laughing at your post. Class act right there.

Hobbit0815

Oh God, arachnophobia right here, those pictures made me squeamish. It looks like a dead spider though..

Shogun

not enough in the world right now.


By the way that spider is very much dead. You probably crushed it with your face during the night. I am terribly afraid of spiders and if I woke up to that in the morning I would probably need therapy for the rest of my life.

TL DR

IIRC, that's an ambassador spider. In killing him, you have likely engendered the ill will of the Arachnid Federation.

Don't be surprised if you wake up one morning to find your organs being pre-digested.

Grislo

Ugh. I'd have been unhappy with that kind of wakeup, but I think my mother might actually have died from the shock.

Anyway, it looks a lot like a dead spider and not the leftovers from a moulting party.

Also, I think it would be rather unlikely for a spider to pick that particular spot for it - unless you believe that spiders are here to essentially creep us out in any way possible, in which case; yes, that's a moulting and the spider is sitting on your shoulder right now (no, the other one).

Seldom

well shit, looks like i'm not sleeping tonight

that's one nasty looking spider, but find solace in the fact it's one nasty dead looking spider.

i guess..

Ruckus

Someday I'm going to develope a tiny CIWS to guard me from ear humping night spiders.

LoveIsUnity

I know the likelihood of this is slim, but do you have a clearer picture? This, actually, looks a lot more like a molt than a dead spider to me. I've been keeping tarantulas for a long time, and, if I had to guess, I would say you're looking at a molt rather than a dead spider. That said, whatever emerged from that molt is incredibly weak and fragile, so you can take solace in the fact that it won't be coming out to visit until its exoskeleton hardens. But, yeah, if I'm looking at the second picture correctly, it looks like a molt.

B:L

LoveIsUnity wrote: »

I know the likelihood of this is slim, but do you have a clearer picture? This, actually, looks a lot more like a molt than a dead spider to me. I've been keeping tarantulas for a long time, and, if I had to guess, I would say you're looking at a molt rather than a dead spider. That said, whatever emerged from that molt is incredibly weak and fragile, so you can take solace in the fact that it won't be coming out to visit until its exoskeleton hardens. But, yeah, if I'm looking at the second picture correctly, it looks like a molt.

Nope, those are the only pictures I've got.

I remember seeing fangs on the "body". Does that help indicate whether it was a molt or a dead spider?

LoveIsUnity

Nope. When a spider molts, it grows new fangs, so there will be fangs present on a finished molt.

It's really weird that it chose to molt right next to your face though. I'm not saying that it isn't possible, it's just incredibly strange. All in all, I wouldn't worry about it. Spiders are solitary and don't like to be around large animals. Even if it's still alive, it's highly unlikely it's going to mess with you.

Barrakketh

LoveIsUnity wrote: »

Nope. When a spider molts, it grows new fangs, so there will be fangs present on a finished molt.

Yep. And I'd agree that the spider looked dead, as I have never seen a molt with the legs curled up like that.

I used to collect the molt that my pet tarantula left behind. They are fantastic to use when you want to scare the shit out of people.

Toxin01

Barrakketh wrote: »

LoveIsUnity wrote: »

Nope. When a spider molts, it grows new fangs, so there will be fangs present on a finished molt.

Yep. And I'd agree that the spider looked dead, as I have never seen a molt with the legs curled up like that.

I used to collect the molt that my pet tarantula left behind. They are fantastic to use when you want to scare the shit out of people.

Thats.. gross.

Erios

Barrakketh wrote: »

LoveIsUnity wrote: »

Nope. When a spider molts, it grows new fangs, so there will be fangs present on a finished molt.

Yep. And I'd agree that the spider looked dead, as I have never seen a molt with the legs curled up like that.

I used to collect the molt that my pet tarantula left behind. They are fantastic to use when you want to scare the shit out of people.

You are evil. EVIL!

SpongeCake

I hate this thread and everything in it.

Hobbit0815

I cried.

Erios

There is only one man fit direct the elimination of your spider:

meeker

I think he has crawled inside your brain and is controlling you now. He posted this thread so as to not arouse suspicion.


I am on to you...