About to moult??

[Siouxzy]

Hi all,

I've had my Juv' A.chalcodes for about 2 months now, he/she has been eating well and it's mainly been hiding in the seed pod/running around etc. She/he hasn't eaten for about a week (turned down everything I offered), then munched a cricket last night.

I thought I would be seeing a moult pretty soon but the fact that it ate last night I'm having second thoughts... Although now all of a sudden since last night she/he has been digging and chucking substrate around. I have a bit of cork bark in the viv and it's made itself a little tunnel underneath... is this a sign that a moult is due?

Bear with me, I'm still learning!

Any comments appriciated

[MissyBats]

I've had mine for longer and no moult, said they can take up to 10years to mature from sling to adult so they are slow growing
I've not even seen any signs of her being ready to moult yet, but she's happy and doesn't always eat, if they are slow growing they don't need as much food as a faster growing species, or so I've read! lol
correct me if I'm wrong! lol
x

[squaddie]

The fact she has refused food for a week is nothing to worry about as they normally go several weeks/months without eating before a moult.

What are you feeding her and how often? As a guide, most T's should be fed a prey item that is half their body size once a week.

[Audrey16]

If shes only just eaten then its unlikely that shes going to moult, they usually go on hunger strike for at least a few solid weeks before deciding to flip. Also if she was in pre moult then you would expect to notice the skin on her abdomen turning darker. Right before shes going to do it she will lay down a web bed to do it on. Unless you have seen these signs id say shes not moulting soon.

[Siouxzy]

I'm feeding her med size brown crickets and usually jumps on them and scoffs straight away, just thought it a bit odd as last week the criks were walking around in front of her and she didn't bother with them so I got them out. Last night though, I dropped one in and she launched on it straight away.

Feed her every 3-4 days, sometimes leave it a week... I'll only drop them in if she's not hiding and I can see her eat them, bit worried about leaving live criks in the viv if she's going to moult, so I'll get them out if she ignores them.

Just thought it a bit odd that she's started burrowing now, and hasn't before. Maybe I'm just worrying too much! I'd just be a bit concerned if she started to moult in her newly dug tunnel as I wouldn't be able to see if she was getting in a mess with it?... do they hide away during a moult or will she do it out in the open?

She hasn't webbed much, just a little on the plant thingys I have in the viv. I'll keep an eye on the abs tho for any darkening. One thing that I did notice, over the last 4-5 days she has lost quite a bit of hair from the back, I don't handle her and pretty sure that she's not stressed out by anything... why would this be?

Just want the best for my little mate and scared of doing something wrong!!

[squaddie]

Just thought it a bit odd that she's started burrowing now, and hasn't before. Maybe I'm just worrying too much! I'd just be a bit concerned if she started to moult in her newly dug tunnel as I wouldn't be able to see if she was getting in a mess with it?... do they hide away during a moult or will she do it out in the open?

It varies with each individual. A lot of my spiderlings seem to like moulting in their burrows, it gives them extra security. Other individuals will moult out in the open. I very much doubt a tarantula would moult in its burrow if it couldn't complete.

She hasn't webbed much, just a little on the plant thingys I have in the viv. I'll keep an eye on the abs tho for any darkening. One thing that I did notice, over the last 4-5 days she has lost quite a bit of hair from the back, I don't handle her and pretty sure that she's not stressed out by anything... why would this be?

Alot of T's will kick hairs to line the entrance of their burrows / retreats as a protection against defenders. Some will hairs at live food if its pestering them. Chances are your individual is wild caught so they are more prone to having to defend themselves.

Just want the best for my little mate and scared of doing something wrong!!

Don't worry, everyone is the same when they're first starting out! Asking questions is how you learn and become a better keeper.

[Siouxzy]

... just a quick update, she has now hidden in her tunnel and blocked up the entrance. She's been in there 2 days now... maybe she is going to moult afterall?

[MissyBats]

hope she does! and post pics lol!
xxx

[garlicpickle]

Originally Posted by Siouxzy

... just a quick update, she has now hidden in her tunnel and blocked up the entrance. She's been in there 2 days now... maybe she is going to moult afterall?

possibly, but it could well be several weeks before she comes back out, so don't panic.

[davidlottr]

Originally Posted by Audrey16

If shes only just eaten then its unlikely that shes going to moult, they usually go on hunger strike for at least a few solid weeks before deciding to flip. Also if she was in pre moult then you would expect to notice the skin on her abdomen turning darker. Right before shes going to do it she will lay down a web bed to do it on. Unless you have seen these signs id say shes not moulting soon.

Hi my OBT has done this, not feeding, and is away and dose not come out eveen at night (im also new to the hobby) is mine going to molt (its been about a week of not eating.