Q: How long does it take?

Please see below average timescales, this is a guide only to provide a rough estimate. Many things can affect how long this takes including age and size, especially for tarantulas. The process must be done a certain way to mitigate issues. Jumping Spiders: 2 - 6 weeks Small/Young Tarantulas: 3 - 8 weeks Adult Tarantulas: 1 - 3 Months Mantids: 2 - 6 weeks Other Insects: 2 - 6 weeks Pre Dried (Anything): 1 week We will let you know once they are ready and provide updates as and when. We check commissions regularly. Please avoid chasing us as this increases the workload and in turn slows us down. Once dry we will aim to get your display finished within 1-4 weeks depending on workload.

Q: What is the best way to prepare and send a tarantula for preservation?

To prepare your tarantula for preservation, freeze it as soon as possible after death. Send it via a 24-hour service (signed for is recommended). The tarantula can stay in the freezer for some time without issues. If you're unsure about its condition, contact us for assistance. As long as the abdomen hasn't hardened, we can work with it. For convenience, package the tarantula in a tub before freezing, so it can be shipped without thawing.

Q: Important info for Insects/Mantids/Spiders

Similar to tarantulas, insects ideally need to be posted within a few days of passing or frozen until you are able to. They must be posted to us via a 24 hour service (recommended you do signed for). Once in the freezer, the insect/mantid can stay for ip to 1 year without causing issues. We can still work with them if they have started to or completely dried out, they will just need relaxing first (which we will do). If you are unsure, please message us. For ease, package them in a tub before freezing so can just take out of the day and no need to thaw first.

Q: Important info for Wet Specimens/Skeleton work

In order to be able to preserve your pet they need to be frozen as soon as possible after death and posted to us via a 24 hour service (recommended you do signed for). If you are unable to freeze, they will need to be shipped generally within 24 hours. Once in the freezer, they can stay for up to 1 year without causing issues. If you are unsure if it’s been too long, send us a message and we will be happy to help. As long as they aren't freezer burned or shrived, they should be ok. For ease, package them in a tub before freezing so can just take out of the day and no need to thaw first. Please see "how to get them to us" section for a guide.

Q: Important info for Moults

These can be posted to us in any time frame as we will need to relax them regardless. Moults must be in a generally good condition however we no longer fill the abdomens due to the majority been damaged during the moulting process.

Question 1

How do I get them to you?

Accepted Answer

Please freeze any specimens as soon after death as possible to ensure they can be worked with. You can freeze ready for posting (following instructions below), meaning you can take the tub out, place in a box and post the day you are shipping without thawing out.

- Package into something sturdy such as a plastic tub.
- Place tissue under, around and over to make sure they cannot move around and get damaged in the post, however don’t pack too tightly or push down hard as you risk squashing them. Just enough so can’t get thrown around in transit. 
- Place tub into a box or any kind of additional packaging and pad.
- Add a note inside with your name. <-- Very Important

**Please make sure you remove any excess soil or dirt before shipping as this can cause damage**
​
Please post first class OR Special by 1pm and I recommend signed for peace of mind. Do not post on Friday or Saturday. Please only post Monday - Thursday.

Specimens can be frozen for up to 1 year until able to post

Question 2

How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

Please see below average timescales, this is a guide only to provide a rough estimate. Many things can affect how long this takes including age and size, especially for tarantulas. The process must be done a certain way to mitigate issues.

Jumping Spiders: 2 - 6 weeks
Small/Young Tarantulas: 3 - 8 weeks
Adult Tarantulas: 1 - 3 Months
Mantids: 2 - 6 weeks
Other Insects: 2 - 6 weeks
Pre Dried (Anything): 1 week

We will let you know once they are ready and provide updates as and when. We check commissions regularly. Please avoid chasing us as this increases the workload and in turn slows us down.

Once dry we will aim to get your display finished within 1-4 weeks depending on workload.

Question 3

What is the best way to prepare and send a tarantula for preservation?

Accepted Answer

To prepare your tarantula for preservation, freeze it as soon as possible after death. Send it via a 24-hour service (signed for is recommended). The tarantula can stay in the freezer for some time without issues. If you're unsure about its condition, contact us for assistance. As long as the abdomen hasn't hardened, we can work with it. For convenience, package the tarantula in a tub before freezing, so it can be shipped without thawing.

Question 4

Important info for Insects/Mantids/Spiders

Accepted Answer

Similar to tarantulas, insects ideally need to be posted within a few days of passing or frozen until you are able to.

They must be posted to us via a 24 hour service (recommended you do signed for).

Once in the freezer, the insect/mantid can stay for ip to 1 year without causing issues. 
 
We can still work with them if they have started to or completely dried out, they will just need relaxing first (which we will do). If you are unsure, please message us.
 
For ease, package them in a tub before freezing so can just take out of the day and no need to thaw first.

Question 5

Important info for Wet Specimens/Skeleton work

Accepted Answer

In order to be able to preserve your pet they need to be frozen as soon as possible after death and posted to us via a 24 hour service (recommended you do signed for). If you are unable to freeze, they will need to be shipped generally within 24 hours.

Once in the freezer, they can stay for up to 1 year without causing issues. 
 
If you are unsure if it’s been too long, send us a message and we will be happy to help. As long as they aren't freezer burned or shrived, they should be ok.
 
For ease, package them in a tub before freezing so can just take out of the day and no need to thaw first. Please see "how to get them to us" section for a guide.

Question 6

Important info for Moults

Accepted Answer

These can be posted to us in any time frame as we will need to relax them regardless. Moults must be in a generally good condition however we no longer fill the abdomens due to the majority been damaged during the moulting process.

POSTING & TIMESCALES

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