why the shedding?

[chuck]

my new 2" B.smithi has just kicked out some hair from her ab. but why, i didnt disturb her, theres no prey to piss her off. what could cause her to shed a lot of hair, it looks like its wearing assless chaps. would they kick hair b/c of humidity?

 

[hillie16]

Getting ready for a molt? Is that how their abdomen gets bald?

 

[chuck]

no, but you can tell if it will molt soon if it is bald. if the skin under the hair is black then its ready to molt - thats the new skin underneath. if its a tan color, its not in premolt. and my b.smithi has a tan ab

 

[Lostkat]

I've seen both my curly hair and my B. vagans kicking hair at nothing just before a moult. Apparently they sometimes line their webs with the urticating hairs for some protection whilst they moult.

 

[Mojo Jojo]

Originally posted by chuck
it looks like its wearing assless chaps.

Like this:

 

[chuck]

yes, just like that

a few days ago it did try to kick hairs at me, but when i looked at her ab there was no bald spot. is there some kind of delayed reaction?

 

[nemesis6sic6]

hey

It is to my understanding that this might be for protection like

some one suggested. Either that or the Tarantula feels treatened

by something. Check around to see if something is not

disturbing the tarantula. If its coming up to a molt then this is normal, because it wants to protect it self from small insects and such.

any ways have a nice day

geo