Does a Blackened Abdomen Always Mean Premolt?

[Swamps]

I have two slings that have very dark black spots on their abdomen. While I could have misread, the information I have found about premolt shows a blackened butt as a sign of premolt.

Today, my N. Chromatus molted while I was at work. However, they still have a very dark abdomen. I am now quite unsure if dark spots always indicate premolt. One thing I haven't really heard of too much is how T's are after a molt. Of course, I know of color changes and the fang hardening period, but I am wondering if my Nandu just has to harden up a bit before the spot goes away or if that is a part of their color. My worry is that it will be another molt coming on very soon and I'm just a tad worried for their safety. They are probably under half an inch or so now.

Before molt, the spot covered half their body, starting from the spinners up. Now it sits at about 3/4 of the way up their abdomen.

I'm not to worried about the other sling, my B. Klaasi. They had the spot since I got them and they are starting to show more premolt signs (not eating, etc), so they should be okay.

Main question is if these black spots are truly good indicators of premolt or not.

 

[Finikan]

I've never kept a Nandu chromatus, but as far as premolt goes, I always look for the shiny balding abdomen.

 

[Marlana]

Are you maybe seeing mirror patches? I’be not raised those species so I don’t know. Just an idea.

 

[sasker]

NW slings usually have a light grey/beige abdomen with a black spot where the urticating hairs are. I think this is what you are referring to with 'blackened butt'. A sling that is days/hours away from moulting has an entire black abdomen that looks a bit like a black grape.

 

[Tarantuland]

usually small NW slings will have a little patch on their back. The whole spider will usually get a little darker in color as a molt approaches. When the spiders a little bigger, any bald spots from kicking hairs will be tan, then as they turn black you can tell a molt is coming up.
TLDR- it is normal to still have a dark patch in the abdomen if it is a young sling

 

[Poonjab]

Depends on what the black spot is.

 

[sasker]

Also, there is no need to obsess about the question whether your tarantula is in premoult or not. As long as it looks and behaves normally and looks well-fed, there is no problem at all. Just let it do its tarantula things. Saves you a lot of stress

 

[viper69]

I have two slings that have very dark black spots on their abdomen. While I could have misread, the information I have found about premolt shows a blackened butt as a sign of premolt.

Today, my N. Chromatus molted while I was at work. However, they still have a very dark abdomen. I am now quite unsure if dark spots always indicate premolt. One thing I haven't really heard of too much is how T's are after a molt. Of course, I know of color changes and the fang hardening period, but I am wondering if my Nandu just has to harden up a bit before the spot goes away or if that is a part of their color. My worry is that it will be another molt coming on very soon and I'm just a tad worried for their safety. They are probably under half an inch or so now.

Before molt, the spot covered half their body, starting from the spinners up. Now it sits at about 3/4 of the way up their abdomen.

I'm not to worried about the other sling, my B. Klaasi. They had the spot since I got them and they are starting to show more premolt signs (not eating, etc), so they should be okay.

Main question is if these black spots are truly good indicators of premolt or not.

Helpful if you showed a pic!

 

[Sambro]

I have 4 N.Chromatus and 3 of them are in Vial sized vials. Being slings they are a darkened spot on its butt, hard to tell when they are in pre-moult.
I pre-kill my food for them and always see them jump on it. If I see the cricket hasn't been munch on I assume they're in pre-molt.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Without pics I can only guess that what you're seeing is the mirror patch which is just a visible patch of urticating setae, the blackening of the abdomen that indicates heavy pre-moult is of the exoskeleton itself (see below).

 

[LucN]

Probably the urticating hair patch. If they kick hair, it's easy to see the signs. If not, refusing food is the other major sign but not always 100% true. Many Ts will go through a lengthy fasting period for no given reason, even as slings.

 

[Swamps]

Thank you all, I think I just had a brainfart and thought it was some sort of premolt sign. Most likely a mirror patch.

 

[Venom Man]

Some times tarantulas will kick there urticating hairs and get a shiny bald patch when a T is in heavy premolt it will be a dark black bald patch.