Patch on Opisthosoma

[CakeLore]

My T has a strange looking patch on her opisthosoma. Seen at http://i.imgur.com/JJmks3P.jpeg . It's kind of shiny and almost perfectly square in nature except the sides are slightly convex. I'm not thinking it's a sign of premolt as she's 3.5" and her last molt was just under 2 months ago; that seems a little too soon. Does anyone know what this might be? I can provide more picture if need be but I like to disturb her as little as possible.

 

[spiderengineer]

My T has a strange looking patch on her opisthosoma. Seen at http://i.imgur.com/JJmks3P.jpeg . It's kind of shiny and almost perfectly square in nature except the sides are slightly convex. I'm not thinking it's a sign of premolt as she's 3.5" and her last molt was just under 2 months ago; that seems a little too soon. Does anyone know what this might be? I can provide more picture if need be but I like to disturb her as little as possible.

it looks like hair were kick nothing to worry about

 

[PeaceBee]

I second Spiderengineer's assessment. Looks like it's just loose urticating hair

 

[Hobo]

It doesn't look like anything was kicked off.
What you are seeing is spot of bristles found on some species commonly called the "mirror patch".

 

[CakeLore]

Okay thanks guys! I'm glad it's nothing to be concerned about. Does anyone know what causes it or if it servers a purpose? I got her a few months ago and she was in late premolt (molted a week after getting her). I did not notice a mirror patch when she first arrive; just a big dark spot indicative of premolt.

 

[lancej]

Mirror patches are found on all Grammostola species (and a few other genuses as well). I believe they are just urticating hairs that are reflective. The patch is brighter and more obvious immediately following a molt because it hasn't kicked any hairs off yet.

 

[Stan Schultz]

Okay thanks guys! I'm glad it's nothing to be concerned about. Does anyone know what causes it or if it servers a purpose? I got her a few months ago and she was in late premolt (molted a week after getting her). I did not notice a mirror patch when she first arrive; just a big dark spot indicative of premolt.

Just a suggestion in an attempt to be helpful...


Go to the Spiders, Calgary website and start reading. Especially, read the following pages. Even if you're an experienced aficionado, a little review is a good thing.

Stan's Newbie Introduction.

Stan's Rant (READ THE BOOKS).


All this reading will answer 95% of all your questions, plus a lot, LOT more that you never thought to ask. And, if you take advantage of your friendly, neighborhood, public library it's all free. All you need do is read.


Hope this helps. Best of luck.



Pop quizzes daily, your little 8-legged Yoda will be giving you!

 

[CakeLore]

Just a suggestion in an attempt to be helpful...


Go to the Spiders, Calgary website and start reading. Especially, read the following pages. Even if you're an experienced aficionado, a little review is a good thing.

Stan's Newbie Introduction.

Stan's Rant (READ THE BOOKS).


All this reading will answer 95% of all your questions, plus a lot, LOT more that you never thought to ask. And, if you take advantage of your friendly, neighborhood, public library it's all free. All you need do is read.


Hope this helps. Best of luck.



Pop quizzes daily, your little 8-legged Yoda will be giving you!

Thanks for the info. I've already read your book (which I found both engrossing and extremely informative) and I'll be sure to check out those links!