Molt problem

[Wg25]

Hey guys
So my B.boehmei sling molted yesterday. When I went to see how he looks today I noticed that most of the molt on his abdomen is still on. It split in half but is still intact at the end. His carapace and legs come of fine but I'm worried that if I leave his abdomen molt for too long it will harden and cause problems! What should I do?

 

[Wg25]

 

[Fuzzball79]

I don't think it's a major issue, as it is not blocking any organs like the book lungs and his legs are out and intact, too. I'd just leave him be for now, it'll probably come off by itself eventually.

 

[Tomoran]

It doesn't look like it's in a spot that would block anything important, so you could just leave it. Or, you could take a clean paintbrush and carefully wet it. The abdomen skin usually moistens up easily and slips right off.

 

[MassExodus]

It wouldn't hurt to try warm water on it, a few drops, but Fuzzball is probably correct, it will most likely come off by itself. You know, that looks suspiciously like its carapace top, stuck to its butt..I bet you could pull it off with tweezers..

 

[Wg25]

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll keep you updated on what happens!

 

[Tomoran]

It wouldn't hurt to try warm water on it, a few drops, but Fuzzball is probably correct, it will most likely come off by itself. You know, that looks suspiciously like its carapace top, stuck to its butt..I bet you could pull it off with tweezers..

Ha! I think you're right...it is the carapace, isn't it?

 

[MassExodus]

Ha! I think you're right...it is the carapace, isn't it?

Lol, ya, after looking at it for a minute, I definitely see a carapace. He should name it two face Or buttface

 

[Tomoran]

Ha! Little guy has the latest in tarantula fashion. Why discard a perfectly good carapace when you can wear it on your bum?

 

[MassExodus]

Ha! Little guy has the latest in tarantula fashion. Why discard a perfectly good carapace when you can wear it on your bum?

Lmao..is this where the term ass hat comes from? Ok, ok I'll stop...

 

[MassExodus]

Just to be clear Wg25, we're not laughing at you. I've just never seen a tarantula wear his carapace on his butt.. And I honestly thought it was his abdomen molt as well, at first...lol!

 

[Wg25]

Hahaha you guys are right...It was his carapace.

 

[Scott Fitzgerald]

I am a first time T owner. I bought a 3/4" Antilles pink-toed (Avicularia versicolor) which when an adult I am told turns into a rainbow of colors? I have had him for about 3 weeks and he appears to like his little enclosure. I bought him from Jamie's Tarantulas. He has spun webs and ate 2 crickets. But recently he has been hanging upside down from underneath a leaf and does not move. I have not disturbed him. I noticed his back is discolored from it's original cobalt blue...does this all mean he is molting? Secondly, is it best to keep him in a small enclosure or can I transfer him into a large 10 gallon tank even though he is so small?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[MassExodus]

Hi Scott, can you get a pic of his back? Premolt is tough to determine in arboreals sometimes. Also, the reason we don't keep small spiders in big enclosures is because it makes it hard to find them sometimes, and because it makes it harder for the spider to find prey that escapes. I would never put a 1 inch spider in a ten gallon..but in answer to your question, you can. It's just not recommended. Edit: Also, when arboreal spiders molt, they usually make a web mat on top of a leaf or a web tunnel, and molt in that. It will lie on its back and appear to be dead, but its not, it just needs hours without being disturbed so it can shed its old exoskeleton. Hope this helps

 

[Wg25]

Just to be clear Wg25, we're not laughing at you. I've just never seen a tarantula wear his carapace on his butt.. And I honestly thought it was his abdomen molt as well, at first...lol!

Found out that it is in fact my Boehmei's abdomen molt that is stuck. But the molt of his carapace is also stuck to it. His abdomen molt is stil complete....he didnt shed it at all!!!

 

[RedCapTrio]

OMG, you're right. The top part of the abdomen is what's new. The bottom part is mostly old so that is why the carapace is also stuck as it normally goes with the abdomen. May be you can ease it off with wet or damp cotton buds...

 

[Wg25]

OMG, you're right. The top part of the abdomen is what's new. The bottom part is mostly old so that is why the carapace is also stuck as it normally goes with the abdomen. May be you can ease it off with wet or damp cotton buds...

Exactly! I was wondering why it was so difficult to get it of...then I noticed! Do you think it could be fatal of I don't remove it???

 

[MassExodus]

Exactly! I was wondering why it was so difficult to get it of...then I noticed! Do you think it could be fatal of I don't remove it???

Are you saying it didn't shed the old abdomen piece off at all?

 

[Wg25]

Are you saying it didn't shed the old abdomen piece off at all?

Yes MassExodus! Most of the abdomen molt was stil complete! But I dropped a few drops of water on it last night and about 10 min later he removed it with is back legs!

 

[MassExodus]

Yes MassExodus! Most of the abdomen molt was stil complete! But I dropped a few drops of water on it last night and about 10 min later he removed it with is back legs!

Excellent, glad it worked out