Also, pay attention to whether your tarantula has thinning hair on its abdomen, or whether its abdomen seems darker and shinier than usual, as these can be signs of molting. The main process of molting starts with a break in the old skin on top of the chelicerae (mouth parts) bases and sides of carapace (top round part of tarantulas exoskeleton where its eyes are housed). One of the most prominent problem areas is the concept of "death curls". However, unlike humans whose skin grows with them, tarantulas exoskeleton does not. Also, ensure that your pet tarantula gets fresh water daily. This is an indication that your spider is getting ready to shed its skin, as its already shed a little bit of hair. If you see your tarantula molting while laying on its back, please do not touch it. Your tarantula is likely to destroy this web very quickly however. Your tarantula does not eat in preparation for a molt. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. Tarantula Molting Process - A Complete Guide Continue reading to understand more about . Approved. Dropper can also be used, make sure to not get any water on your tarantulas book lungs to prevent drowning (lungs are on the bottom of the abdomen). Tarantulas cant handle fluctuating humidity levels. You can do this by placing your tarantula in a cage or box with plenty of hiding places. If so, your pet tarantula might be getting ready to molt! This will be a final molt for a male, and show not only its sexual, but also age maturity. Another thing to look out for is if your tarantula has any injury to the leg with a scar tissue. You could accidentally harm her/him, such as by pulling off a limb. The most common tarantulas in the pet trade are the Chilean rose tarantula and the Mexican red-kneed tarantula, says Dr. Keller. Common reasons to bring your spider to a veterinarian include oral nematodes and problems with the molting process. But I rather read about it beforehand. Tarantulas live for up to 10 years. Upgrade to an Arachnosupporter account. A tarantula that is molting is vulnerable to predators and should be left undisturbed. How often your spider will molt depends on its species, age, and environment. Tarantulas generally like to keep their homes neat, so before long, it will likely be moved to a trash pile or placed in the water dish, where it will be much easier to remove. This time-lapse video shows a female Mexican Red Knee tarantula molting, an event that takes more than three hours but that is compressed here into a minute. You can tell that your tarantula is approaching molt is when its abdomen looks darker in color, and sometimes swollen. However, this should only be used if absolutely necessary because it could cause more problems or injure your tarantula. How Dangerous Is The Molting Process For The Spider? A death curl is different a tarantulas legs would be curled under its body. Hi ! Another possible reason why a tarantula is laying on its back is because its stuck in its molt.
Permeability Of Glass, Articles T