New tarantula owner with questions

[MassExodus]

I would wait 4-5 days to feed him, then another few days to move him.

 

[RedCapTrio]

I definitely concur with @MassExodus

 

[MassExodus]

Sorry, I just woke up, I should have explained, after they molt they have to harden up their fangs and exoskeletons, so it's best not to feed them for 5 days or so, a week for larger spiders I suggested waiting a few more days to move him just so he could digest his meal when you feed him

 

[LauraS]

I set up the new home for Curly. Does this look ok?

 

[MassExodus]

I set up the new home for Curly. Does this look ok?

View attachment 11961 View attachment 11962

Looks perfect.

 

[Rockpython]

My only concern is that the vent holes look a bit big... other than that it looks great

 

[MassExodus]

My only concern is that the vent holes look a bit big... other than that it looks great

I thought so to but zoomed in and looked closely, theres marks around the holes that make them look bigger than they are.I think she'll be alright. She's about to molt anyway, so that will help.

 

[LauraS]

I was a little concerned about the air holes too. They are smaller then the biggest part of the tarantula but I know they can be sneaky little escape artists. I was wondering if Curly was looking about to molt. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[MassExodus]

I was a little concerned about the air holes too. They are smaller then the biggest part of the tarantula but I know they can be sneaky little escape artists. I was wondering if Curly was looking about to molt. Thanks for letting me know.

No problem, but yeah, the huge shiny butt with the dark spot always indicates a molt is coming soon

 

[SpiderDad61]

Hello,

I'm new to tarantulas. I got a Mexican Redknee last month and a Curly Hair just this past weekend.

My main question is about my B. Smithi. It's a tiny little sling. It has had at least one molt because there was one in the deli cup when I purchased him. At first he was a great eater (feeding on mealworms and dubia roaches) but the past two weeks he has not eaten. Do you think he is getting ready to molt again? It worries me because he is so small! How long can they go without eating?

He is living in a deli cup with a sponge for water on coco fiber. The substrate is moist (maybe too moist but if he's going to molt I thought that might be a good thing). He is at room temperature (75) with no extra heat and just daylight through the window for lighting.

I'm keeping my curly hair in the same conditions (deli cup, sponge for water, 75 degrees). I have only had it since Sunday and it has eaten two dubia roaches. He's a little bigger then the B. Smithi. I'd guess half an inch.

Do there living conditions sound correct?

Thank you all! I'm very new at this. And to think, I used to be afraid of spiders, lol.

My B Smithi sling ate, then disappeared and dug into his burrow. Couldn't see it. Never came out. Didn't eat for a month. Finally it reappeared and seemed twice the size, and tossed it's molt in its water dish as to say " I'm here, now feed me!!" Just keep water in there for it and it will eat when ready. Introduce food and if it wants it, it will eat it. I try to feed it dead roaches if it doesn't eat the live ones. Some of my slings that small are picky

 

[BLUE BEAUTY]

you generally need to wait a few days before feeding or moving. The exoskeleton or fangs are not hardened directly after a molt. You could injure or potentially kill the T by moving it or feeding it.

 

[kormath]

No problem, but yeah, the huge shiny butt with the dark spot always indicates a molt is coming soon

Really? That's good to hear. My Vagans has a fat shiney abdomen with a dark triangular mark on top. He's still eating like a pig though, so hopefully soon!

 

[IamKrush]

Really? That's good to hear. My Vagans has a fat shiney abdomen with a dark triangular mark on top. He's still eating like a pig though, so hopefully soon!

Thats how mine is now.

 

[Phil]

Really? That's good to hear. My Vagans has a fat shiney abdomen with a dark triangular mark on top. He's still eating like a pig though, so hopefully soon!

I sort of agree with what the other poster said that promoted your reply. If darkened and shiny then yes, but the patch is actually the urticating hairs forming as the spiderling matures. The picture from IamKrush above is a good example (although it does also look in pre moult.....lol)

 

[kormath]

I sort of agree with what the other poster said that promoted your reply. If darkened and shiny then yes, but the patch is actually the urticating hairs forming as the spiderling matures. The picture from IamKrush above is a good example (although it does also look in pre moult.....lol)

thanks Phil! That was 6 days into the hobby for me lol, yes the mirror patch as i've learned since then it does darken in premolt, easiest visible way to tell when they're starting premolt, for the Brachy's and like anyway, The GBB's still have me stumped, only way i can tell is when they start running from the roaches

 

[Phil]

thanks Phil! That was 6 days into the hobby for me lol, yes the mirror patch as i've learned since then it does darken in premolt, easiest visible way to tell when they're starting premolt, for the Brachy's and like anyway, The GBB's still have me stumped, only way i can tell is when they start running from the roaches

Ha ha.....didn't see the date stamp, just thought it was a recent post .....my bad ☺.
You can just about make out darkening in the juvie GBB but once adults, you are right, really hard to tell.....although a good indicator is avoiding food at all costs so I don't think you are far off the mark there either ☺