Molting and Issues
Life Cycle and Molting:
Jumping spiders go through several stages of development called instars before reaching maturity. The number of instars varies depending on the species. Generally the first molt or 1 instar happens in the nest and you will know they are 1 instar when they emerge from mothers nest. These slings or “Spiderlings” will stay together from there first few molts until they are needed to be separated for survival.
During molting, a jumping spider sheds its exoskeleton to accommodate growth. Molting frequency decreases as the spider matures.
The molting process is a very difficult and stressful time for the spider. They will usually build a next that is more thick than usual and they will stay inside of it until the process is complete.
The beginning stage is called Pre Molt Phase: This is where your spider will have eaten and then trap it’s self into its nest and rest to store up energy for the molting stage. This can last up to a week or more. Do not disturb them. Only continue to mist the encloser so the humidity can help them get through there transformation as easy as possible.
Molting Process is called Molting phase: This is the moment when the spider will slowly shed its exoskeleton. This process is painful and takes time, however this is the shortest phase. Which can take about 30 mins to an hour or so.
Once there out of the exoskeleton this is called Post Molt Phase: Where the jumping spider must set in it’s nest to harden it’s new body. The spider will be soft and weak for a few days, as it hardens it will move more and then emerge on it’s own when it is ready to do so.
The whole process will vary in time frame due to the age of the spider, the kind of jumping spider and its conditions it is kept in. This process from start to finish can range from several days to even weeks.
Molting is a vulnerable time for the spider, and improper conditions or stress can lead to complications such as mis-molts or death.
Mis molts are common and very unfortunate. This where the spider is unable to shed the exoskeleton in time before they begin there hardening phase. If this happens there is not much you can do, and the spider will more than likely pass away. Maintaining good humid environments for our littles can help prevent this from occurring. However, sometimes you can have done everything right and it still happen.
Random death: This is where you may find your spider for unknown reasons has passed. Unfortunately you may not find the cause. We all like to make sure that the environments we keep them in are safe, and secure, with good air flow, humidity and misted without over saturation. Along with making sure you are not using any possible toxic fumes around your spider. Like; candles, smoke, perfumes, air fresheners and so on.
Do not put your spider in direct sunlight, This can cause over heating and dehydration. Any type of LED lamp is just fine.