Worried

[philippa black]

Hi my red knee hasn't eaten for 4 weeks now. I thought he was maybe going to moult as he was staying in same position in his hide. but still no sign of him webbing up he came out the other day for a drink but then sat on top of his hide after instead of going in. I offered him a cricket but he didn't want to know usually he gobbles them up. He sat there for the whole day and night so I gently with tweezers encouraged him toward his hide entrance. as soon as he felt the edge of the opening he scurried in. But the strange thing was he was very sticky bits of substrate were sticking to him ect. is this normal or was he starting to web outside his hide what should I do ???

 

[Telson]

Hi my red knee hasn't eaten for 4 weeks now. I thought he was maybe going to moult as he was staying in same position in his hide. but still no sign of him webbing up he came out the other day for a drink but then sat on top of his hide after instead of going in. I offered him a cricket but he didn't want to know usually he gobbles them up. He sat there for the whole day and night so I gently with tweezers encouraged him toward his hide entrance. as soon as he felt the edge of the opening he scurried in. But the strange thing was he was very sticky bits of substrate were sticking to him ect. is this normal or was he starting to web outside his hide what should I do ???

Sounds like pre molt Is his butt blacker than usual, or swollen looking?

 

[kormath]

pictures would help but i'd say premolt also.

 

[philippa black]

Sounds like pre molt Is his butt blacker than usual, or swollen looking?

difficult to tell as he has about half of his rear end bare where he has flicked hairs out but I don't know what or why he has done this been like for a good 8 weeks way before went of food ect. but his legs look paler less colourful. the temp is 30C and humidity is 70C is this to much.

 

[Scoolman]

May be preparing to molt. 4 weeks with no food is a drop in the bucket for a tarantula. Add long as the abdomen is plump it will be fine.

 

[Telson]

difficult to tell as he has about half of his rear end bare where he has flicked hairs out but I don't know what or why he has done this been like for a good 8 weeks way before went of food ect. but his legs look paler less colourful. the temp is 30C and humidity is 70C is this to much.

You say his butt is bare. Is the skin pale, like white people, or dark? If its dark, or darkening, then the spider is in pre molt. If its white, its normal, all tarantulas are white. Lol.

 

[Kymura]

You say his butt is bare. Is the skin pale, like white people, or dark? If its dark, or darkening, then the spider is in pre molt. If its white, its normal, all tarantulas are white. Lol.

Only part of the time

 

[philippa black]

not sure as didn

You say his butt is bare. Is the skin pale, like white people, or dark? If its dark, or darkening, then the spider is in pre molt. If its white, its normal, all tarantulas are white. Lol.

not sure as didn't really notice colour just saw it was bare. he's back in his borrow now so leaving well alone incase he is moulting

 

[Kymura]

They'll drive you to grey hairs with worry if you let them. They do me anyway

 

[philippa black]

its my first I have always wanted one can you tell me what is right temp and humidity please so I know if I got it right thanks

 

[Kymura]

For temperature, If your comfortable the sling most likely is too. Keep a nice full water dish and you should be golden
Please don't waste time on the silly humidity gauges. They rarely work correctly and cause more harm then good.

Edit for spelling::apparantly my iPhone thinks it knows better then I do about what to say

 

[Zurchiboy]

Larger Ts have potential for long premolt cycles. especially slower growing specimens. Our A. Chalchodes is in premolt. hasn't eaten four about 4 weeks now and hasn't darkened very much but still has a plump abdomen. It could also be fasting. I have heard some Ts, especially G. Rosea/Porteris go several months without eating and not be in premolt.

 

[philippa black]

Boris finally moulted yesterday but not only did he do it in the open but he didn't make a web. someone told me if I put the shed into some water it would open out and if I got a pic they could tell sex. I cant find the post now so I'm hoping they see this or someone else can tell me sex.

 

[Enn49]

Boris finally moulted yesterday but not only did he do it in the open but he didn't make a web. someone told me if I put the shed into some water it would open out and if I got a pic they could tell sex. I cant find the post now so I'm hoping they see this or someone else can tell me sex.

Congrats on the moult . Our B. smithis almost always moult in the open and one of them never bothers with a web mat.

 

[Kymura]

Boris finally moulted yesterday but not only did he do it in the open but he didn't make a web. someone told me if I put the shed into some water it would open out and if I got a pic they could tell sex. I cant find the post now so I'm hoping they see this or someone else can tell me sex.

We need the bottom part of the abdomen between the upper book lungs. Those will be the pairs of creamy white looking spots on the inside of the abdomen portion of the molt.
ie :

You can soak the molt in water and use toothpicks to very carefully unroll and open it up. A drop of dish soap helps it absorb water more readily.

 

[philippa black]

I couldn't see any white bits but this is best pic I could get of that area.

 

[philippa black]

My son managed to get a better pic

 

[kormath]

I can't tell in that pic, maybe someone else can though.

Stealing @Kymura pic this is where you're wanting to focus on -