Willa
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2019
- Messages
- 31
Experience and molt anecdote/question?
I am brand spanking new to the tarantula scene and I did a solid two months of research before getting my first tarantula (combination of tarantula forums, Tom Moran's videos, etc.). I chose a juvenile brachypelma albopilosum because the species came highly recommended, and was readily available in my area. I was very excited to find him (I don't know if it is male or female, but I say he because I gave it a male name) on his back and getting ready to molt after creating a nice cozy mat and refusing food for a few days beforehand. And only two weeks after purchasing him!
However, the molt was not terribly like those I had seen before from husbandry videos and tarantula forums. He got mostly out of his shell after about 6-ish hours of nothing (I recognize this is normal enough), but with his back legs still in the molt, he got up and wandered around his hide, dragging his molt, before flipping back over and finishing the job after I had gone to sleep.
I made sure he was well finished before bothering him a few hours ago, and removed the discarded molt to make sure there were no pieces stuck or missing. It seems he got all the exoskeleton off, but he did pluck of one of his own legs as it got stuck in the molt. He molted overnight when I was sleeping, so there isn't much I could have done, and I have not spotted any bleeding, nor is he hobbled by it. In fact, he was a bit peeved (he kicked a few wee hairs after being a complete lamb for two weeks) when I took the molt. He even moved more after molting than the whole time I have had him. I suppose he had just been sluggish from preparing to molt. I also recognize that being a younger one, he is likely to stay in his hide more than be out and about.
Anyhow, anecdote aside, does anyone have advice on how to perhaps avoid this in the future, if possible? I have to say, it was also super interesting feeling how truly soft exoskeletons are. (No, I did not touch him. I prodded the discarded leg that was caught in the molt.) I am still learning the ropes here, so please let me know if I should move this to Questions and Discussion. I am not so worried as I am curious, and not terribly concerned, but I love hearing from people!
I am brand spanking new to the tarantula scene and I did a solid two months of research before getting my first tarantula (combination of tarantula forums, Tom Moran's videos, etc.). I chose a juvenile brachypelma albopilosum because the species came highly recommended, and was readily available in my area. I was very excited to find him (I don't know if it is male or female, but I say he because I gave it a male name) on his back and getting ready to molt after creating a nice cozy mat and refusing food for a few days beforehand. And only two weeks after purchasing him!
However, the molt was not terribly like those I had seen before from husbandry videos and tarantula forums. He got mostly out of his shell after about 6-ish hours of nothing (I recognize this is normal enough), but with his back legs still in the molt, he got up and wandered around his hide, dragging his molt, before flipping back over and finishing the job after I had gone to sleep.
I made sure he was well finished before bothering him a few hours ago, and removed the discarded molt to make sure there were no pieces stuck or missing. It seems he got all the exoskeleton off, but he did pluck of one of his own legs as it got stuck in the molt. He molted overnight when I was sleeping, so there isn't much I could have done, and I have not spotted any bleeding, nor is he hobbled by it. In fact, he was a bit peeved (he kicked a few wee hairs after being a complete lamb for two weeks) when I took the molt. He even moved more after molting than the whole time I have had him. I suppose he had just been sluggish from preparing to molt. I also recognize that being a younger one, he is likely to stay in his hide more than be out and about.
Anyhow, anecdote aside, does anyone have advice on how to perhaps avoid this in the future, if possible? I have to say, it was also super interesting feeling how truly soft exoskeletons are. (No, I did not touch him. I prodded the discarded leg that was caught in the molt.) I am still learning the ropes here, so please let me know if I should move this to Questions and Discussion. I am not so worried as I am curious, and not terribly concerned, but I love hearing from people!
I also have a nice wide, shallow dish that I keep fresh and full in the corner where it is easily accessible (non chlorinated water ofc). As for his enclosure, I purchased one from Jaime's tarantulas (I had to go with something special for my first guy, plus I love the look of it!), and added my own touches. I know it is a bit large. I have since removed all the sphagnum moss (I put it in as décor, but I don't think he likes it at all, so I pulled it). For the hide, I have a sturdy, smooth plastic half log (I checked it thoroughly for any snags, rough patches, and whatnot). For substrate, dry coconut fiber. The air where I live is SUPER dry on account of winter, so I keep the corner by the water dish damp, but avoid misting the whole place. I plan on adding some more substrate (it's @ 2 inches in depth) when he is done hardening, because there is more height than I need. I do keep a heating pad on the far side (adjacent to, but not on) with a reliable thermostat that has a sensor in the cage (I live in a very drafty and cold house). I monitor it very carefully, and while I don't have a humidity gauge (as I know they are not too accurate and t's don't need super specific conditions), I do make sure it's all good in there! Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, and I am very thankful for everyone's help and advice!
