Is it on Pre-molt

[curious juan]

I got my A.versicolor sling last April 29, 2016, just around 2.5cm DLS. Since it arrived, I have been feeding it religiously (almost daily) with pre-killed B.lateralis nymphs. It has settled in quite well in its new enclosure, creating a silk tube that runs from the top of the wood and down to the part near the substrate. It would usually hang out near the bottom hole of its tube facing downwards, and this is my cue to offer prey items. However, lately, May 10 to be exact, it shut both of the openings of its silk tube with its web and has not come out since. Is this a sign that it is nearing a moult? I am tempted to open the opening of its silken retreat to check if nothing wrong happened to it. There is a constant water source in its enclosure, the substrate kept dry, and with plenty of ventilation on the container's side.

 

[cold blood]

Never open a t's web tube (unless you are taking an egg sac).

There's no reason to feed any t every day....yes, its pre-molt...just wait...with the heavy feeding schedule pre-molt could last a longer than normal amount of time...just leave it be,

 

[lalberts9310]

Usually when they close off their retreat it means "leave me alone". It's probably pre-molt. Just keep the waterdish full and it should be fine

 

[curious juan]

Thanks guys. It actually molted successfully last May 17, so far no signs of a bad molt, all limbs are complete and no deformities noted. Glad that I did not disturbed it. Has already started eating today, May 22.

 

[AshLee]

Glad to hear that everything went over smoothly. I would personally advise waiting a little bit longer before offering food after a molt, generally a week or so. 9 times out of 10, if your tarantula is hiding, they're fine.

 

[curious juan]

Its been hanging around the bottom part of its tube facing down towards the substrate. Thats my cue that it wants food

 

[Andrea82]

If a T tries to eat before the fangs are hardened up, it can damage its fangs. So even if it is giving you the cue, wait at least a week next time after a molt.

 

[curious juan]

Point taken andrea82 and ashlee. Will post more updates on this. I would love to show its photo here, but its a bit camera shy right now.

 

[bryverine]

If a T tries to eat before the fangs are hardened up, it can damage its fangs. So even if it is giving you the cue, wait at least a week next time after a molt.

I don't know, it's only an inch long; five days doesn't seem that unreasonable.

For my more mature tarantulas I usually go 10-14 days but for my little ones sometimes 5 days is like an eternity for them.

I think the little ones harden up much quicker. Only reason I say this is because my large ones are still doing yoga at day 5 while the smaller ones are hunting on day 5.

 

[Trenor]

I don't know, it's only an inch long; five days doesn't seem that unreasonable.

For my more mature tarantulas I usually go 10-14 days but for my little ones sometimes 5 days is like an eternity for them.

I think the little ones harden up much quicker. Only reason I say this is because my large ones are still doing yoga at day 5 while the smaller ones are hunting on day 5.

I agree, smaller slings can be ready to eat a lot sooner then larger Ts. There is not harm in feeding some small slings before 10-14 days if they are ready.

 

[curious juan]

I read from other experience that when the T starts to hunt for prey, it knows that it is physically ready to tackle the task at hand. Limbs and fangs are hard enough to capture their food.

 

[Flexzone]

I read from other experience that when the T starts to hunt for prey, it knows that it is physically ready to tackle the task at hand. Limbs and fangs are hard enough to capture their food.

Not always the case, Some of my T's with voracious feeding responses already like T. stirmi or A. genic who are sub-adult wouldn't hesitate to grab a prey item a week after molting but I still see that there fangs still have faint red coloration to them, I wait ~2 weeks to be safe.