Bad Molt

driipybrii

Arachnopeon
Joined
Oct 5, 2024
Messages
4
Hey guys, two weeks ago I got a Kochiana Brunnipes (Dwarf Pink Leg) It looks like it had a bad molt.. will this fix itself? I asked why it had no airholes and he told me that when they’re this small they don’t need them & it will keep more moisture in there. He said he’s been doing it for years so is that true or should I poke some holes in?
 

Attachments

driipybrii

Arachnopeon
Joined
Oct 5, 2024
Messages
4
They need air. Get a thumbtack
I KNEWWW ITTT. Why would a breeder tell me that it’s not necessary 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’ve gotten all of my Ts from this guy and even my pumpkin patch that is still in a vial but he put holes in that one. smh. Thank You. He told me that because you open it every 2 to 3 days to feed & water it gives them enough oxygen. 😒
 

Andrew Clayton

ArachnoHelper
Arachnosupporter
Joined
Dec 19, 2018
Messages
878
Hey guys, two weeks ago I got a Kochiana Brunnipes (Dwarf Pink Leg) It looks like it had a bad molt.. will this fix itself? I asked why it had no airholes and he told me that when they’re this small they don’t need them & it will keep more moisture in there. He said he’s been doing it for years so is that true or should I poke some holes in?
They need air. Looks like a part of the moult has suck on the abdomen I've had a few T's do this and it either falls off on its own or the T removes it either way they have always been fine.
 

NMTs

Arachno-Aficionado
Staff member
Joined
Jan 22, 2022
Messages
1,597
He told me that because you open it every 2 to 3 days to feed & water it gives them enough oxygen. 😒
This is not inaccurate - I have some slings that are in tiny vials without holes and they do fine with opening the vials for feeding & watering every 3 or 4 days. Spiders do not breathe the same way that vertebrates do, so their oxygen consumption is relatively very low. That said, once I move them into vials that are larger than a thimble, I always add ventilation to assist with maintaining the appropriate amount of moisture in the substrate.

As it relates to your issue, the lack of ventilation likely had absolutely nothing to do with the stuck molt. That's just a fluke. You could very gently try to brush the stuck piece off with a wet paintbrush, but as long as the anus and book lungs are not being covered by the old exuvia, then there's really no need to worry about it. As @Andrew Clayton said, it'll probably come off by itself eventually.
 

driipybrii

Arachnopeon
Joined
Oct 5, 2024
Messages
4
This is not inaccurate - I have some slings that are in tiny vials without holes and they do fine with opening the vials for feeding & watering every 3 or 4 days. Spiders do not breathe the same way that vertebrates do, so their oxygen consumption is relatively very low. That said, once I move them into vials that are larger than a thimble, I always add ventilation to assist with maintaining the appropriate amount of moisture in the substrate.

As it relates to your issue, the lack of ventilation likely had absolutely nothing to do with the stuck molt. That's just a fluke. You could very gently try to brush the stuck piece off with a wet paintbrush, but as long as the anus and book lungs are not being covered by the old exuvia, then there's really no need to worry about it. As @Andrew Clayton said, it'll probably come off by itself eventually.
Thank you!!!! i’m going to add airholes but wow what a coincidence. This was very helpful though so thank you sooo much. I was just worried it was due to the no ventilation.
 

cold blood

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
13,536
Many breeders don't use airholes for the reason your breeder mentioned....and they've been doing so successfully for many decades.

Tarantulas are passive breathers, they don't require air in the same manner a mammal would, this is part of the reason they ship so easily.
 

driipybrii

Arachnopeon
Joined
Oct 5, 2024
Messages
4
Many breeders don't use airholes for the reason your breeder mentioned....and they've been doing so successfully for many decades.

Tarantulas are passive breathers, they don't require air in the same manner a mammal would, this is part of the reason they ship so easily.
Yeah, i guess it was just a coincidence that it had a bad molt lol. I know they don’t need oxygen like we do and i know molts just get stuck sometimes but I just wasn’t sure lol. About what length do they usually put ventilation in them?
 

cold blood

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
13,536
Yeah, i guess it was just a coincidence that it had a bad molt lol. I know they don’t need oxygen like we do and i know molts just get stuck sometimes but I just wasn’t sure lol. About what length do they usually put ventilation in them?
When they are out of the sling stage and aren't nearly as susceptible to dehydration.
 
Top