Urgent advice - moult

[Metermaid]

One of my Bruekneri large females has moulted, I've just come home and found her hanging straight down by about the last 1cm of her abdomen, she's not moving - should I do anything? shouldn't she have lifted up and be hanging by her front legs now? Help please :(

[Taz Devil]

She may be resting before exerting herself by lifting up to eat the shed skin. It's possible that she could be there for an hour or so. If you're unsure as to if she's well or not, brush her antenna with your finger, that usually provokes a reaction from them. I've had a few moults last as long as 2 hours where they just stop part way through or, as you have seen, still dangling by their abdomen. Just make sure there's some humidity in the enclosure (I've used a cup stuffed with tissue paper and filled with boiling water to increase the humidity)

If the worst comes to the worst, try and moisten the skin by either lightly spraying it, or brushing it with a damp paint brush, then hold her lightly while lightly pulling downwards (if the skin comes away from the surface do a Morph and either pin it to a branch or use blue-tac and pin it to that.)

[Dave]

Yeah as above, she is large and it will take longer for her to dry so keep watching. one of my Peruphasma stayed upside down for a good half hour, and it was only small, so I wouldn't worry:D

[Metermaid]

Thanks guys, I left her a while and she was pretty unresponsive, I thought she was dead at first! - so I sprayed her lightly and within 10 mins she had 'woken up' and was out safely - thanks for the help :)

[Taz Devil]

Good to hear she finally decided to wake up and get on with the job of moulting.

[Ian]

Ah - good to hear things ended okay Metermaid. They often pause for a little on their final stages - I think it's perfectly normal.

[Metermaid]

I certainly breathed a sigh of relief - I hadn't realised how attached I've grown to these creatures, I was SO worried!

[Dave]

Phheww:)
We told ya nout to worry bout;):p
Doesn't hurt to be safe though:)

[Gillybug]

I've been lucky enough to never have this problem, YET!!!
I'm glad it worked out alright!

Gill
:)

[lamb12380]

My phyllium sp recently moulted and was hanging like this for 20 mins but she was fine, shes 4th instar now.

[Dave]

nice one lamb, keep on steaming ahead:p