Pre-molt?

[BoyFromLA]

What exactly is pre-molt?

To me, pre-molt is the duration till next molt occurs. Which means, once a tarantula molt, then it simply is in pre-molt.

Wait what?

• But, it just molted last night
  • Yes, it is in pre-molt
• But, it is still eating
  • Yes, it is in pre-molt
• But, I don’t see any signs of it
  • Yes, it is in pre-molt

Many referring pre-molt when, and only when:

• A tarantula stops eating
• A tarantula is very plump
• A tarantula’s abdomen is dark and shiny
• A tarantula is in burrow

These only mean a tarantula is soon to be molted, but it’s not like all of sudden pre-molt just kicked in.

Let’s take a look at the chart I drew:



A tarantula to molt:

• It will need to be filled 100% (not always)
• It will need some time for it’s body to prepare

If it gets filled 100% early, it will then remain not eating till next molt. Over-feeding a tarantula is impossible because of this reason. That being said, even without any signs of soon to be molted, a tarantula may surprise molt one night. In rare cases, a tarantula will initiate molt even when not gets filled 100% or even without eating at all.

In sum, pre-molt does not necessarily mean soon to be molted status, but the duration till next molt occurs.

 

[viper69]

What exactly is pre-molt?

To me, pre-molt is the duration till next molt occurs. Which means, once a tarantula molt, then it simply is in pre-molt.

Wait what?

• But, it just molted last night
  • Yes, it is in pre-molt
• But, it is still eating
  • Yes, it is in pre-molt
• But, I don’t see any signs of it
  • Yes, it is in pre-molt

Many referring pre-molt when, and only when:

• A tarantula stops eating
• A tarantula is very plump
• A tarantula’s abdomen is dark and shiny
• A tarantula is in burrow

These only mean a tarantula is soon to be molted, but it’s not like all of sudden pre-molt just kicked in.

Let’s take a look at the chart I drew:

View attachment 460292

A tarantula to molt:

• It will need to be filled 100% (not always)
• It will need some time for it’s body to prepare

If it gets filled 100% early, it will then remain not eating till next molt. Over-feeding a tarantula is impossible because of this reason. That being said, even without any signs of soon to be molted, a tarantula may surprise molt one night. In rare cases, a tarantula will initiate molt even when not gets filled 100% or even without eating at all.

In sum, pre-molt does not necessarily mean soon to be molted status, but the duration till next molt occurs.

Nice post!

The constant obsession on this is far from amusing when you consider the number of posts on this- just shows you most people are lazy and expect to be spoon-fed

 

[DustyD]

I get it that the term pre-molt is over used/ misused so why not eliminate it altogether? if a tarantula is in pre-molt for maybe 95 + percent of its life, why bother even calling it that? Sounds like normal life.

 

[viper69]

I get it that the term pre-molt is over used/ misused so why not eliminate it altogether? if a tarantula is in pre-molt for maybe 95 + percent of its life, why bother even calling it that? Sounds like normal life.

Agreed it’s an entirely normal cycle of their life.

Pre-molt Paranoia is a psychological condition many humans suffer from. Maybe there are meds for this

 

[Finikan]

I consider premolt to be the few days leading up to a molt. example t is going to molt in about 3 days expectation. not simply when it stops eating.

 

[TLSizzle]

I'm blown away by how many people ignore abdomen size. They constantly go by the last time the T ate.
Has it not eaten in 2 weeks? Is it still plump? Well all is fine then. Pre molt or not, sometimes a well fed T just isn't hungry.

 

[Finikan]

I'm blown away by how many people ignore abdomen size. They constantly go by the last time the T ate.
Has it not eaten in 2 weeks? Is it still plump? Well all is fine then. Pre molt or not, sometimes a well fed T just isn't hungry.

this so much. I have many that are full and not molting any time soon. one is not eating after it's molt 2 months ago. is it in pre molt?

 

[TLSizzle]

Wow, to not eat 2 months after its molt? Did it molt super chonky?

 

[Finikan]

Wow, to not eat 2 months after its molt? Did it molt super chonky?

ohhh yeah. T vagans that I rescued. She was fat, still is.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

this so much. I have many that are full and not molting any time soon. one is not eating after it's molt 2 months ago. is it in pre molt?

Are you sure “she” is a she?

 

[Finikan]

I have the molt, so yes.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

What exactly is pre-molt?

To me, pre-molt is the duration till next molt occurs. Which means, once a tarantula molt, then it simply is in pre-molt.

Wait what?

• But, it just molted last night
  • Yes, it is in pre-molt
• But, it is still eating
  • Yes, it is in pre-molt
• But, I don’t see any signs of it
  • Yes, it is in pre-molt

Many referring pre-molt when, and only when:

• A tarantula stops eating
• A tarantula is very plump
• A tarantula’s abdomen is dark and shiny
• A tarantula is in burrow

These only mean a tarantula is soon to be molted, but it’s not like all of sudden pre-molt just kicked in.

Let’s take a look at the chart I drew:

View attachment 460292

A tarantula to molt:

• It will need to be filled 100% (not always)
• It will need some time for it’s body to prepare

If it gets filled 100% early, it will then remain not eating till next molt. Over-feeding a tarantula is impossible because of this reason. That being said, even without any signs of soon to be molted, a tarantula may surprise molt one night. In rare cases, a tarantula will initiate molt even when not gets filled 100% or even without eating at all.

In sum, pre-molt does not necessarily mean soon to be molted status, but the duration till next molt occurs.

That's a right spiffy graph & all, but it's cold sterility really detracts from the "dying since the day you're born" philosophy, there.
How're your guitar skills?
I'll bet we can pump those little "like" graphics numbers to the realm of the (arachno)gods...

Also, that graph indicates posthumous molting, as they've CLEARLY run out of time (or are molting during premolt, &/or there exists a state of molt purgatory)...

 

[Arachno32]

Whe should replace the term pre-molt with near-molt. It will make more sense in the context people use the term for