My "Chilean Rose" died while molting

[WarIsPeace]

Judi, a beautiful 4 inch "Chilean Rose," died today while molting.

I knew she was having trouble, but I did not know how to help her. Her abdomen ruptured. I guess I should have frozen her when I saw fluid coming out of her abdomen so she would not suffer, but I was still hoping that she would survive her molt.

Judi is the only tarantula I have ever lost during a molt, and I've had 20 spiders molt.

QUESTIONS: Anyone have any idea what went wrong? Could I have helped her?

It makes me sick.

 

[mebebraz]

Most likely just the law of averages, sorry either way.

 

[Professor T]

The molting process is the weak link in the arthropod armor, a time of particular vulnerability. I've had Chilean Rose Hair tarantulas molt in low humidity just fine. As long as it didn't get moved during molting, or take a fall just prior to molting, I agree it could have been just a bad shed. Sorry for your loss.