Proximity of molt and feeding...

[Linear]

I took some pictures today and I was wondering if anyone could tell me (like...educated guess) when my tarantula is likely to molt... Not exactly sure when she molted last but former owner said maybe 2-3 weeks ago (not sure), he also said he fed her twice a week. She's around 2inches, maybe less so not sure if at that size she will molt once a month or once every two months... Her abdomen has darkness to it, but not uniformly, and since I recently got her I can't really compare her appearance from weeks ago.

Any idea? Also can I still give her food next week despite her probably being in premolt or naw? If not I'll just wait a week or two after she molts, so far haven't fed her at all since I've gotten her, just given her water... I'm guessing it's fine as long as she accepts it... but just making sure.

 

[TheInv4sion]

I took some pictures today and I was wondering if anyone could tell me (like...educated guess) when my tarantula is likely to molt... Not exactly sure when she molted last but former owner said maybe 2-3 weeks ago (not sure), he also said he fed her twice a week. She's around 2inches, maybe less so not sure if at that size she will molt once a month or once every two months... Her abdomen has darkness to it, but not uniformly, and since I recently got her I can't really compare her appearance from weeks ago.

Any idea? Also can I still give her food next week despite her probably being in premolt or naw? If not I'll just wait a week or two after she molts, so far haven't fed her at all since I've gotten her, just given her water... I'm guessing it's fine as long as she accepts it... but just making sure.

View attachment 212606

You can try feeding but if T shows no interest remove the prey item. Giving a guess based on picture alone is not a very accurate method but I would assume within a week or so. The time it takes in Premolt is based on temperature so that would help give a better idea

 

[Linear]

You can try feeding but if T shows no interest remove the prey item. Giving a guess based on picture alone is not a very accurate method but I would assume within a week or so. The time it takes in Premolt is based on temperature so that would help give a better idea

Yeah I know it's not very accurate but maybe someone would like at it and be all like "naw, not even close... 3 weeks!" idk. xD Just wondering... Kinda anxious about molting. :x

 

[TheInv4sion]

Yeah I know it's not very accurate but maybe someone would like at it and be all like "naw, not even close... 3 weeks!" idk. xD Just wondering... Kinda anxious about molting. :x

It'll molt when it molts. There isn't much you can do to help the molting process other than leave it alone. Don't stress 90%. Of time nothing goes wrong

 

[Venom1080]

she molted only a few weeks ago? Give it a while. My B Albo is same size and hasn't molted in near 8 months. Slow growing genus. How do you know it's in premolt if you never offered food? Even if it molted a couple months ago, it shouldn't be in premolt already.

 

[Trenor]

I took some pictures today and I was wondering if anyone could tell me (like...educated guess) when my tarantula is likely to molt... Not exactly sure when she molted last but former owner said maybe 2-3 weeks ago (not sure), he also said he fed her twice a week. She's around 2inches, maybe less so not sure if at that size she will molt once a month or once every two months... Her abdomen has darkness to it, but not uniformly, and since I recently got her I can't really compare her appearance from weeks ago.

Any idea? Also can I still give her food next week despite her probably being in premolt or naw? If not I'll just wait a week or two after she molts, so far haven't fed her at all since I've gotten her, just given her water... I'm guessing it's fine as long as she accepts it... but just making sure.

View attachment 212606

There really is not way on knowing. I've had Ts with dark spots on their abdomens go weeks to a month before molting. I'd offer it food like normal and if it starts refusing wait for the molt. From the size of the T's abdomen it should be fine with out food for a while. Water is a bigger concern IMO. It'll need plenty of that for the coming molt.

Don't stress out, if everything is setup right molts usually go fine. I was worried the first few molts but you get used to it.

 

[bryverine]

Woah! That's a healthy tarantula. I'd personally stop feeding until a molt regardless.

Keep access to water and just wait until you see it lay down a web mat and you'll know it's gonna start.

Edit: I just saw that you think it molted a few weeks ago (I misread it). If that's truly the case then I'd just wait a month or so because if it's not premolt, it is certainly full.

 

[KezyGLA]

she molted only a few weeks ago? Give it a while. My B Albo is same size and hasn't molted in near 8 months. Slow growing genus.

You never know. I had one of my B. Emilia juvies at roughly the same size molt twice in the same month. I couldny believe a brachy going back into premolt after its post molt feast, but it happened :wideyed:

Judging by the photo there is still some time to go. It will turn completely black and throw down a mat. After that expect the molt.

As for feeding, with juvies less than 3" I remove the prey if it hasn't been eaten within half an hour.

Sometimes opening the enclosure can spook the T making them rather nervous and take their mind off the grub. I like to sit with the lid of enclosure off and let it settle before throwing the feeders in.

 

[Linear]

You never know. I had one of my B. Emilia juvies at roughly the same size molt twice in the same month. I couldny believe a brachy going back into premolt after its post molt feast, but it happened :wideyed:

Judging by the photo there is still some time to go. It will turn completely black and throw down a mat. After that expect the molt.

As for feeding, with juvies less than 3" I remove the prey if it hasn't been eaten within half an hour.

Sometimes opening the enclosure can spook the T making them rather nervous and take their mind off the grub. I like to sit with the lid of enclosure off and let it settle before throwing the feeders in.

Good idea, I'll try that when I try to feed it, sometime next week.

 

[Venom1080]

You never know. I had one of my B. Emilia juvies at roughly the same size molt twice in the same month. I couldny believe a brachy going back into premolt after its post molt feast, but it happened :wideyed:

thats hard to believe. how big is roughly?

 

[KezyGLA]

thats hard to believe. how big is roughly?

It is now about 2" DLS. It is hard to believe. It's completely. Out of character for its specie, but hey it happened.

Heres my molt records on my phone...

She is Alina the B. Emilia

And heres a photo i took of her the other day after the molt.