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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Stan Schultz" data-source="post: 144062" data-attributes="member: 28438">No problem. The only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask. And stupid questions are always easier to deal with than stupid mistakes.If it molted in transit the shed skin is likely (but not guaranteed) to still be somewhat damp and still in pretty good condition. However, if it had molted before shipping and the shipper hadn't bothered to clean the container, the shed skin will be very crisp, probably in tatters.We need clarification here. What kind of substrate had been used and why do you think it was the wrong stuff?Visit <a href="http://people.ucalgary.ca/~schultz/Overview.html" target="_blank"> Growing Your Own</a> for reasonable definitions of the various life stages of tarantulas. Note that newbies and a few old curmudgeons don't agree with me on these definitions. But my definitions are based on discernible characteristics and have meanings that should help you care for your tarantula properly, not willy-nilly guesswork.No. It's too soon even for a spiderling to molt again. Besides, if it were that close to molting it wouldn't have eaten for you. You gave it a full meal. Now it wants to hunker down in private and digest it. It's like you after a huge Thanksgiving dinner. You should get used to this behavior. It's gonna happen a lot.Definitely not! Leave it alone. You need to get used to the concept that these creatures (i.e., arachnids in general) have been developing their anatomy. physiology, and behavioral patterns for a third to a half BILLION years. Nearly everything they do had been fine-tuned to as close to perfection as it can get way, way before humans ever existed. Yes, from time to time things go wrong. But that 's usually a very rare occasion. Rare indeed!Besides, what's the plan once you see if it's okay? How would you tell in the first place? And realistically, what could you do about it?Do not fuss with your tarantula. Sit back with your favorite drink and watch. Your tarantula is trying to teach you something. LEARN from it!"You have a strong heart, no fear. But stupid! Like baby, don't know what to do."- - Zoe Saldana as Neytiri in James Cameron's movie, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank"> AVATAR</a>. (No offense meant here. Just illustrating that the point isn't new with me. Not by a long shot.)I realize I'm beating my own drum here, but I would suggest that you go to <a href="http://people.ucalgary.ca/~schultz/spiders.html" target="_blank"> Spiders, Calgary</a> and start reading the whole website. But a word of warning! Read only two or three webpages at a sitting. Trying to absorb the whole website at once has been known to cause emotional disturbances and mental dysfunctions in humans. (So does writing them! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite5" alt=":confused:" title="Confused    :confused:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":confused:" /> ) It's difficult to process so much radical stuff all at once. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></blockquote>

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