Tarantula in premolt?

[David Osorio]

So I got my first 2 tarantula slings (about 2 cm) yesterday, Im so excited that i tried to feed it this day and the sling ran away and I can see some dark spots in it's abdomen. I dont know what to do. p.s. the slings I bought are L.parahybana and B.smithi

 

[Rittdk01]

Just wait a few days and try again. Small meal worms w crushed heads work best at this size imo.

 

[JoshDM020]

They may be in premolt or they may be adjusting. Most people wait at least 5 days before feeding to allow this to happen. I'll second the mealworm with crushed heads. They tend to wiggle around for a few hours. I didnt like giving my slings dead motionless crickets. Dont know why, they probably didnt care. Just something saying "If it moves now, they wont be surprised when it moves when they get bigger" in the back of my head. But. Like i said. They probably didnt care.

 

[Anoplogaster]

They're still adjusting, I'm sure. Just give them a bit more time to settle in.

A dark spot on the dorsal side of the abdomen is just pigmentation. With slings, premolt is usually pretty obvious. They look like they're about to explode before a molt

 

[Devin B]

I would wait about a week and then offer prekilled prey. This always works for me unless the sling is in premolt.

 

[David Osorio]

Thank you for your answers!!! So far here's what they look like

 

[mconnachan]

A picture of the spider and the enclosure would be most helpful, the dark spot your describing sounds like your seeing the spiders heart on the dorsal side of the abdomen. This is why pictures are the best way to get the relevant information needed. My P. sazimai sling has a dark spot on its abdomen but it's its heart.

 

[Anoplogaster]

View attachment 245421 View attachment 245422 Thank you for your answers!!! So far here's what they look like

Looks like the top one (LP) is getting close to a molt

Easy on the moisture. Looks pretty damp in there. Tarantulas don't really prefer walking around a muddy surface.

 

[David Osorio]

update: I checked them to today and their abdomen became darker. And I also added a little bit of subtrate so it wont get muddy.

 

[David Osorio]

The man I bought from said that they will be molting soon. Any tips for caring premolt slings?

 

[Ellenantula]

If that white in picture is bottom of enclosure: ADD more substrate -- slings like to burrow. Could also solve the too-damp substrate if you just added some dry to it. Just my experience. Might wanna remove sling, so you can tamp down substrate -- also -- you should add a silk/plastic leaf and water dish.
I usually start a burrow hole for slings also.

 

[David Osorio]

If that white in picture is bottom of enclosure: ADD more substrate -- slings like to burrow. Could also solve the too-damp substrate if you just added some dry to it. Just my experience. Might wanna remove sling, so you can tamp down substrate -- also -- you should add a silk/plastic leaf and water dish.
I usually start a burrow hole for slings also.

Thank you, I now added some dry substrate and dropped water on it so it will be moist and my ts are super active they always walk around when I check them

 

[Rittdk01]

I keep only 1/4 of the substrate moist for those little ones. For a hide just break off a plastic leaf from a fake plant.

 

[David Osorio]

I keep only 1/4 of the substrate moist for those little ones. For a hide just break off a plastic leaf from a fake plant.

Can real leaves work?

 

[Rittdk01]

Can real leaves work?

No because they will fall apart. Just put one plastic leaf on the ground and poke a hole under it. Your little ones should use that as a burrow. You need one plastic plant for a bunch of spiderling hides.

 

[David Osorio]

Looks like the top one (LP) is getting close to a molt

Easy on the moisture. Looks pretty damp in there. Tarantulas don't really prefer walking around a muddy surface.

My LP just molted,thanks for the tip

 

[David Osorio]

No because they will fall apart. Just put one plastic leaf on the ground and poke a hole under it. Your little ones should use that as a burrow. You need one plastic plant for a bunch of spiderling hides.

Thanks for the info bro, Gotta find some plastic leaves somewhere.