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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Casey K." data-source="post: 178660" data-attributes="member: 1090"><p>If your tarantula is in premolt....at the first sign of premolt (so as not to stress the tarantula during the actual molting process) you should always make sure their substrate is damp and overflow their water dish.  Even desert species require some form of humidity to make the removal of their exoskeleton easier.  It makes sense scientifically.  Desert species build burrows under rocks and other plants, etc.  They are deep underground where the soil has soaked up rain.  I'm sure they don't wait until the highest temp of the day to go out in the sun and lay on their backs to molt.  They molt underground where they are safe and there is an adequate amount of humidity.   I would remove the forest floor completely.  Offer a soft substrate that is mixed with sand and peat moss to retain moisture.  It's not gonna hurt the tarantula.  Even my desert species live on substrate that is slightly damp at all times.  I've never had an issue.  Offer a reservoir and overflow it once a week.  For a hide I would use a piece of cork bark.  Make sure your substrate is at least 4" deep because they do like to burrow.  Dig a small hole under the cork bark after you place it directly on top of the soil.  The tarantula may then finish it's burrow where you started it.  You're good to go.  <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>

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