providing water after molt

[mschemmy]

My GGB successfully molted yesterday. It has been chilling in its hide and I am not disturbing it so it can recover from its molt. It did some webbing over the hide entrance but I am still able to see the T. The other T's I have owned molted out in the open. This is my first T that hunkered down in its hide for a molt. From my research I have read that a tarantula will emerge from the hide when it is ready. My question is should I put some water on its web near the hide entrance or will it come out of the hide and get water when it is ready? I included a picture of the enclosure. There is a water dish to the right of the webbing so it is in close proximity to the hide so there is water avaliable at all times.

Also is 5 days enough time to start feeding? I have read everything from 2 days (I know thats not good) to 3 weeks (seems excessively long) It's abdomen is very small (as it usually is after a molt). I would say the leg span is 3-4 inches (i am guessing it is still a juvenile) I know this is a highly debated topic and is unique to each situation. Any GBB owners with advice on this to keep the responses from getting out of control?

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Won't hurt to place a few drops on the webbing if you like. It may be weeks before it's ready to eat. I'd give it roughly two weeks before offering prey. They won't take it if they're not up for it so, worst case scenario, they don't.

 

[Pyrelitha]

Personally all my GBBs have done perfect with me just filling their waterbowls, overflowing the edge quite a bit, letting it dry 80% out and repeating. When they molt I always give themr a big juicy hornworm which I hear has lots of moisture(generally a week and a half or two weeks after the molt)

 

[mschemmy]

Personally all my GBBs have done perfect with me just filling their waterbowls, overflowing the edge quite a bit, letting it dry 80% out and repeating. When they molt I always give themr a big juicy hornworm which I hear has lots of moisture(generally a week and a half or two weeks after the molt)

Are hornworms the best feeder after a molt because of how soft the exoskeleton is?

 

[Pyrelitha]

Are hornworms the best feeder after a molt because of how soft the exoskeleton is?

I have no idea, I liked em cause my spiders get skinny, and a hornworm always plumps them right up! And then I dont need to worry about feeding em for a few weeks atleast. Anymore than that and they get too fat

 

[HooahArmy]

Are hornworms the best feeder after a molt because of how soft the exoskeleton is?

Hornworms are great because they're plump, juicy, and nutritious, perfect for a T during their molt recovery or when they are ill or recovering after shipping. I've never thought about their softness, but you raise a good point! But speaking of, I've never fed any of my Ts within a week of their molts to ensure that their fangs and bodies harden up. Some Ts are more ravenous than others and can harm themselves while lunging for prey if they're not fully hardened. My mum's got this juvie Ceratogyrus that likes to lash out for everything. After she molted, she wasn't offered food for that week, but did decide to lunge at a passing shadow, squishing herself into the side of her glass enclosure. She ended up with a bent leg, but I could imagine any overzealous T being accidentally injured when attacking food before they fully harden. I'd wait a week after a molt to feed, even if the feeder's a big softie like a hornworm.