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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tomoran" data-source="post: 30076" data-attributes="member: 1152">Welcome to the hobby and congratulations on your new T...it's beautiful! I love my B. smithi; such a gorgeous animal.It looks fine to me. It definitely looks like its abdomen is nice and plump and has darkened up. It appears to be in premolt. It can take a little while for a tarantula to actually molt, so don't worry if it takes a little while. It'll go when it's ready. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> Mine once took about a month an a half between starting premolt and actually molting; time may vary.What are the normal temperatures in your home? I wouldn't bother using the heat mat, as they do well in room temperatures. Also, what do you have for substrate? Those rocks look a bit rough and jagged; if she were to fall from the top, she could injure herself. Although those things can be found in the wild, they can be hazardous in a terrarium. I use dry coco fiber with mine, although there are certainly other appropriate alternatives. You also want to make sure to fill it with enough substrate that if the T climbs and falls, it won't injure itself. For a T that size, I would fill it up to a few inches from the top. You don't want it to fall and rupture that plump backside!I hope that's helpful. Again, welcome! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

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