And so it begins...any tips?

[NatashaG]

I've suspected that little Zoltan (my juvenile B.Smithi) was in pre-molt for a little while now (his abdomen is very large, he started to web up his enclosure and he now has a large black patch on his butt that is seemingly getting bigger.) and the latest development is his refusal of food. Not entirely sure when he will molt, but have added a little extra water around the substrate near his water dish and other than that, I'm steering well clear!

This is my first T and this will be his first molt with me. I know the basics of letting him get on with things, checking on him and not touching him while he is going through it, but I was wondering if anyone has any tips on making it as smooth as possible, or any old wives tales of what to keep an eye out for.

 

[kormath]

his abdomen will darken a bit and become shiny, like it's oiled the closer he gets to molting. My smithi's abdomen has never turned black like my other Brachy's. you got a month or so to go if he just started refusing to eat, depending on his size. Mine is about 3/4-1" and has been in premolt refusing food for almost 5 weeks. Seems they have the longest premolt of my Brachy's, right up there with the boehmei.

Just keep the water dish full to help with the molt.

 

[Nicolas C]

Congrats Natasha! Main point, except for the good full waterdish, is to leave him quiet. Disturbances can affect the molting process: either the T is scared and wants to get back on his feet, or he stops everything while frightened and risks to stay caught in the old skin. The best is to leave him alone... And carefully watch and enjoy when molting begins (when possible of course!).


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[NatashaG]

his abdomen will darken a bit and become shiny, like it's oiled the closer he gets to molting. My smithi's abdomen has never turned black like my other Brachy's. you got a month or so to go if he just started refusing to eat, depending on his size. Mine is about 3/4-1" and has been in premolt refusing food for almost 5 weeks. Seems they have the longest premolt of my Brachy's, right up there with the boehmei.

Just keep the water dish full to help with the molt.

He was sold to me as a 2", and since his abdomen has gone quite large, he seems bigger to me, but thats just wishful thinking It's going to be a long month then but I'm more excited that he is making progress

 

[NatashaG]

Congrats Natasha! Main point, except for the good full waterdish, is to leave him quiet. Disturbances can affect the molting process: either the T is scared and wants to get back on his feet, or he stops everything while frightened and risks to stay caught in the old skin. The best is to leave him alone... And carefully watch and enjoy when molting begins (when possible of course!).


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I live with my partner, and generally we are quiet folk (minus the odd argument about socks being left at the bottom of the bed ) but he is safely placed away on a shelf, as we also have a little dog but he is 11 now and is a gentle soul himself, so no problems there anyway. I have a good look at Zoltan morning and night, and other than that he is free to do as he pleases he is never handled, and we have no plans on doing so. Hopefully a nice little life for a tarantula!!

I can't wait to see him molt, ever since I started researching before we purchased him! It seems like an amazing thing to witness!!

 

[kormath]

I live with my partner, and generally we are quiet folk (minus the odd argument about socks being left at the bottom of the bed ) but he is safely placed away on a shelf, as we also have a little dog but he is 11 now and is a gentle soul himself, so no problems there anyway. I have a good look at Zoltan morning and night, and other than that he is free to do as he pleases he is never handled, and we have no plans on doing so. Hopefully a nice little life for a tarantula!!

I can't wait to see him molt, ever since I started researching before we purchased him! It seems like an amazing thing to witness!!

It is! Hopefully you can get pics of it, i never can catch them in the act, or see them start and forget to take the pics.

 

[NatashaG]

This is my problem when he eats. My nephew is obsessed with tarantulas, and would love a video of Zoltan catching a cricket, but I get too drawn in and forget to record

It is! Hopefully you can get pics of it, i never can catch them in the act, or see them start and forget to take the pics.

 

[NatashaG]

Little update: His black patch is a hell of a lot bigger now, and he has laid down a lot of web around his hide. He also refused another small cricket, and I am just wondering what to do about the situation. I'm about 80% sure he is in pre-molt, but don't want him to go without. Do I keep trying him with food, or leave him be, as I don't want to disrupt him too much.

 

[Nicolas C]

If you want to be 100% sure, post us a little picture, specially of the abdomen. But it's very likely premolt to me...


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[NatashaG]

If you want to be 100% sure, post us a little picture, specially of the abdomen. But it's very likely premolt to me...


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It's difficult to get a photo of his butt, as his hide is very deep and he has started to stay there for the majority of the time, but I will try my best He has never webbed since we got him, so I am pretty certain of it myself. The next sign was the size of his abdomen, as it became larger than normal, and noticeably so. Then he developed a black patch on it, and it seems to just have gotten bigger and bigger.

Camera is at the ready, wish me luck!

 

[Nicolas C]

If it's staying in its hide and with all the clues you are giving, almost sure it's premolt time!


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[NatashaG]

I'm afraid this is the best that I could do, as I didn't want to bother him too badly. His abdomen was dark grey when we got him, and now it is pretty much black all over.

 

[Rmac88]

Definitely sounds like pre-moult!

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[NatashaG]

Definitely sounds like pre-moult!

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I think so too, but I've never experienced one before, this being my first T. I'm taking it one step at a time, and just making sure he is un-disturbed, comfortable and happy. I'm hoping it will be soon, since I'm actually pretty shocked at how quickly that abdomen has changed colour!

 

[Nicolas C]

Anyway, the abdomen is big enough to indicate you that your smithi won't risk starving if you stop giving food for some weeks/months.


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[kormath]

agreed, that's definitely premolt. Let it do it's thing. I do all maintenance at the same time during premolt, water, cleanup, etc. Less stress on the T as you're only opening the enclosure once every few days, but check on it daily

 

[NatashaG]

Anyway, the abdomen is big enough to indicate you that your smithi won't risk starving if you stop giving food for some weeks/months.


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I did think that, but there is always that thing in the back of my head that I don't want him to go without. Will leave him for a few weeks I think thanks for the advice!

 

[NatashaG]

agreed, that's definitely premolt. Let it do it's thing. I do all maintenance at the same time during premolt, water, cleanup, etc. Less stress on the T as you're only opening the enclosure once every few days, but check on it daily

I do the clean up once a week (usually on a Sunday, as he eats on Friday and thats when I will notice any mess he has made) and his water dish every other evening. This routine seems good for him, as it's not opening his enclosure up all the time, and until the pre-molt situation, he seemed very comfortable.
His tank is away on a shelf in our bedroom, and is pretty dark and fairly warm at the moment. I check on him in the morning (just through the plastic container) and make sure he looks okay, rather obsessively I must admit If I am about during the day I might have the odd look, but I usually just check him again before bed. He doesn't really get bothered by us all that much, and he has settled in really well