Should I be worried?

[Calico]

My desert blonde went into it's burrow about a month ago and hasn't been out since. I thought maybe it was going to molt and haven't bothered or worried. However, I can see him moving around through the little hole that he has for the opening so don't think this is the case. I make sure there is water in his bowl at all times, but haven't attempted feeding. Should I throw a cricket in to see if he comes out to eat? Or just let him be? I miss seeing the little guy!

 

[Enn49]

How big is he? The larger they are the longer the moult process can take.

 

[Calico]

How big is he? The larger they are the longer the moult process can take.

About 2" leg span.

 

[Enn49]

If I were you I'd try feeding, if he eats you know all's well, if he doesn't eat remove the food and try again in around a week.

 

[Calico]

Thank you Enn! I just checked on him and it looks like the opening is larger so he may have ventured out last night. Even though there is webbing across the opening. I can see him just sitting there. I will try feeding today and see what he does.
I'd love to be able to check if there is a molt in there.... He burrowed under a big flat rock that was in there so it will be hard to move, especially with him in there. Maybe if he ventures out to feed I'll be able to check.

 

[Enn49]

I've found that they often enlarge their opening just before a moult. If he has moulted in there, the chances are he will eventually push it out.

 

[Calico]

He ate!
From the flash of him that I saw (as he grabbed the cricket and drug it into the burrow) he looked a little darker and brighter. Maybe bigger....
So maybe he did molt after all. Hope he starts coming out soon.

 

[Enn49]

That's great news

 

[Calico]

There is definitely a molt in there. I can see it through the hole. I was hoping I could find out what sex it is. I'm afraid it will be too dried out to tell if/when he does push it out. I could reach it with the long tongs, but I don't want to stress him out.

 

[kormath]

There is definitely a molt in there. I can see it through the hole. I was hoping I could find out what sex it is. I'm afraid it will be too dried out to tell if/when he does push it out. I could reach it with the long tongs, but I don't want to stress him out.

get a bowl of water, add a drop or 2 of dish soap, then drip that onto the molt to soften it back up.

 

[Calico]

get a bowl of water, add a drop or 2 of dish soap, then drip that onto the molt to soften it back up.

Thank you! I will do that. This is my first molt and so unsure what to do. I really want to find out the sex

 

[WolfSpider]

Classic A. Calcodes behavior. Mine hide for another 2-3 weeks after they molt and after the fangs harden/blacken. Dunno why. I've just come to expect it.

 

[Calico]

Classic A. Calcodes behavior. Mine hide for another 2-3 weeks after they molt and after the fangs harden/blacken. Dunno why. I've just come to expect it.

Good to know. I won't worry so much next time. He looks like he came through it ok with no problems.

 

[IamKrush]

If you are using the devil as feeders prekill it. If your T did molt. It may get chewed on.

 

[Calico]

If you are using the devil as feeders prekill it. If your T did molt. It may get chewed on.

I feed crickets and he eats them as soon as I put them in there.

 

[IamKrush]

I feed crickets and he eats them as soon as I put them in there.

If he molted he wont eat. His fangs need to harden up so he will have no way of doing that with fresh fangs

 

[Calico]

If he molted he wont eat. His fangs need to harden up so he will have no way of doing that with fresh fangs

He has eaten 2 already. He's been out and about since yesterday.

 

[IamKrush]

He has eaten 2 already. He's been out and about since yesterday.

Oh ok. I just want to be sure the T is safe. I'm happy to hear its doing well

 

[Calico]

Oh ok. I just want to be sure the T is safe. I'm happy to hear its doing well

Thank you! This was my first molt so I was unsure of what to do or expect. It's nice to get info from people who have been through this. I didn't want to do anything that will harm him. I'm glad he is "out of the woods" and healthy.