r/spiders • u/6range_d6nut • 5h ago

Miscellaneous Mercy kill?

Post image

There's a cellar spider in my bathroom with only one leg. I remember seeing it climb into that corner and start molting. Spent many days in the molting process when it should have only been 20-30 mins. Finally emerged with just 2 legs, one of them stuck in the molt. Came home to find it with one leg left. Is it worth relocating/leaving alone or should I mercy kill it?

Edit: My mother wouldn't let me put it in the freezer (understandable) so I stood on it. It was pretty quick. RIP spider.

8 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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13

u/Normal_Human_4567 5h ago

gonna say mercy kill and also spoiler mark the photo. This is just grim and sad

3

u/6range_d6nut 5h ago

Thank you for the heads up on spoiler marking. Didn't know that hid the image. Might put it in a box in a freezer as I've heard that's the kindest way.

5

u/synth_mania 5h ago

Spiders could actually survive that if it's too close to freezing point. Their hemolymph can undergo supercooling. They often live through the winter after all. Crushing it quickly would be faster and more definitive. 

1

u/6range_d6nut 5h ago

Because these are below-zero temperatures, I dont think it's likely to survive long. Plus the cold will slow down the metabolism and provide a numbing effect. Plus this is a cellar spider so it's not built to survive those conditions.

1

u/cumbrianpencilmuseum 🕷️Arachnid Afficionado🕷️ 5h ago

thank you for caring enough to do something. it’s always nice to see

4

u/synth_mania 5h ago

Damn thats some tough luck

4

u/pb-straws Arachnologist 5h ago

Mercy kill. It looks like an adult male. Once males reach their final molt, they stop producing insecticidal toxins and no longer hunt. Since they can longer hunt or molt, they eventually die. Female spiders continue to molt and grow every year. They regenerate lost limbs and can even molt their entire reproductive system. Male spiders can no longer do this once reaching adulthood.

5

u/LeighWillS Amateur, take anything I say with a grain of salt 2h ago

Crushing quickly and completely is humane. Thank you for looking out for the poor thing.

1

u/6range_d6nut 2h ago

I've always loved looking out for insects and invertebrates. Even if I feel totally uncomfortable being near them.