Lasiodora parahybana molting: caught on camera!

Recently I had the greatest pleasure of catching one of my larger T's at the beginning of the molting process, naturally I have recorded some video of the process and taken many photos for one to see what different stages there are. I am not sure that I caught every different stage as sadly I don't have a video camera to do a sped up time-warp type of feed, but as you will see in the short video clip in this post, the tarantula is flexing and undulating while pulling limbs out.

Molting is the process tarantulas follow to expand their exoskeletons in size as they grow. Shedding the old exoskeleton (similar to a snake shedding) and having the new softer one underneath it which is larger and expands from fluids inside the tarantula being moved around. A few weeks before molting (with younger spiders these weeks could be a few days) your spider might start refusing to eat crickets. If you follow the simple procedure of: place food in their container and remove any uneaten insects immediately the next morning, it will give your tarantula enough time to find food and eat it or to avoid it without being long enough to cause stress. This is also a good way to find out how much your tarantula feeds in one sitting. You could also notice small clear droplets of fluid seeping from the leg joints, don't worry the tarantula isn't sick-also with some tarantulas this may be less visible. THis fluid is used to break down the old exoskeleton, weakening it so the tarantula may pull itself out. The tarantula may also lose bristles on its abdomen, causing a bald spot due to the new exoskeleton being produced underneath the old one, sometimes this spot shows as a darkening because the old exoskeleton becomes transparent.

Your tarantula will lie on its back (and appear as if its dead, do not worry it isn't refer to Deatch Clutch later on) and this is the pose that begins the molting process, do not be alarmed, do not pick up or move or bother the tarantula at this risky point in time! It could cause a bad molt and result in death of the tarantula. This process could take from 15 minutes (younger tarantulas/spiderlings) up until a few hours (fully matured tarantulas). A VERY BASIC idea of the steps involved in molting goes as follows:

1. The tarantula lays on its back.

2. The tarantula's carapace splits open down the middle of it. (images not possible)

3. The tarantula "shrugs" off the carapace as you would a tight fitting jacket off your shoulders.

4. Then bit by bit the tarantula shrugs and pulls its legs out of the old exoskeleton.

5. The tarantula will remain on its back and 'undulate' its legs (similar action to how an octopus/squid moves their tentacles) to straighten them out.

6. This process also "puff's" out the tarantula to its maximum size to be filled later from more feeding! ;)

7. The tarantula will turn itself the right way up, move around very little, but eventually start walking around the enclosure and behaving as usual.

8. Only attempt to feed after atleast 7 days after this process is complete. If the tarantula shows no interest (doesnt feed withing a few minutes/doesn't hunt the insect down/actually moves away from the insect) remove the insect and try again once every 3 days until it resumes feeding as usual.

Once your tarantula has emerged from its old skin, it will be extremely soft, tender and sensitive.  If you handle your tarantula, do not do so for at least a week after it has molted.  Make sure the spider has fresh water. A cricket can possibly harm or injure your tarantula if not enough time is given for your pet’s skin to harden. One amazing thing associated with the molting process of tarantulas is the regeneration properties.  If the spider is missing a leg it can be regenerated during the molting process.  The new leg will usually be smaller and not as usable as the original. But with time and regular molts the leg will become thicker and eventually be as good as new!