Ally's Eight-Legged Journey

I finally got a video of the Happy Dance!! I had thrown a locust into the enclosure, and I hung around for a little while to see if she would do it (as I usually do) but there seemed to be no sign and I had all but given up. I went to feed another spood, and when I came back, she was doing this: This dance is often seen in Big Spoods species, although a lot of other species do it too. They are essentially spinning in circles, laying a web - a feeding mat - underneath them as they do so. I've read a number of theories as to why they do the "happy dance" when they feed, but there is no definitive answer. Some of the most popular theories include: Threat detection Liquidising and slurping a critter takes a long time, and during that time, they are vulnerable if sitting out in the open. By laying a web underneath themselves they are better able to detect approaching predators. Vibrations from predator movement are more easily transmitted through the web silk, in the sam...

So, this makes me a little bit anxious. Today I noticed that Shelob was on her back. There's only one reason why a spider would be on their back, and that is molting. Usually, if they die, they die in situ, where they are standing. So I knew this was a molt. Now, I did have some warning that this was due. Firstly, she had stopped accepting any food. This is a classic spider sign of an impending molt, and combined with the second sign - the fact that she went into hiding under her water bowl - is known as "premolt". Shelob had been in premolt for about a week. So when I saw her upside down, I knew what was coming. I've never caught a spider in the act of molting before, and I really wish I could have stayed to watch, but I have children and life goes on. Ultimately I was unable to watch her, though I did take some photos if the various stages. I tried very hard not to disturb her, as I know they're very delicate at this stage, but I did manage to get this very shor...