Molting

One of the coolest features of tarantulas is the fact that they molt. 

What is molting, you ask? 

Molting is the process in which the tarantula lays on its back, and slowly retracts itself from its exoskeleton so that it has more room to grow, until it finally successfully withdraws all of its body parts and leaves the remainder behind.

Molting takes a lot of energy, and the tarantula may eat its old exoskeleton to recharge some of that energy. It will curl up what remains in a ball and deposits it.

You could remove the exoskeleton for collection purposes, however you should make sure it has an alternative source of energy. DON’T feed your tarantula the first week after it has molted, however.

Why do tarantulas molt?

Many insects molt, like tarantulas, grasshoppers, but also crustaceans and many reptiles. 

Molting is a necessity to these animals because their skin doesn’t grow. As a result, they have to crawl out of their exoskeleton so that their soft inside has room to grow a new, larger exoskeleton.

How often do tarantulas molt?

Tarantulas molt quite often, young tarantulas even more so.

Young tarantulas grow relatively rapidly, and therefore have to molt often. Young tarantulas can molt up to once a month. 

The frequency with which tarantulas molt diminishes as they mature. Adult tarantulas will only molt about once every year to two years.

The exact frequency of molting depends on the species and to a lesser extent on the individual spider of that species.

Is molting dangerous to my tarantula?

Molting always brings a risk to your tarantula. The tarantula can get stuck in its own exoskeleton and eventually die from it. 

Tarantulas have evolved to molt without problems, though, when the right circumstances are present. The most important factor in a successful molt, is that a tarantula should be sufficiently hydrated.

What pet owners can do to help their tarantula molt

As a pet tarantula owner, you’re required not to try and play an active role in the molting process of your tarantula.

Never try to help the tarantula by pulling it out of its exoskeleton as this will likely kill the tarantula. Neither should you spray water on it during the molting process, even if hydration plays an important role in the spiders molting.

All you have to do to help your tarantula get through its molting, is making sure you execute your normal caretaking tasks. 

Those include spraying the substrate once a week. Don’t spray the entire substrate, but alternate between the left and right half every other week. This way each half of the habitat has the chance to dry out, which eliminates the threat of fungi growing, while the bait at as a whole is always sufficiently humid.

Tarantulas get most of their moisture from their food. In addition to this, refresh its water bowl every week and the tarantula will never risk being too dehydrated to molt.

How to tell if your tarantula is dead or molting?

Usually when an animal lays still on it backs, it brings the association to mind that it’s dead.

The counter intuitive thing about tarantulas, is this:

Tarantulas actually lay on their back to molt. Dead or dying tarantulas curl up their legs underneath them, while laying belly down.

Of course, tarantulas can die during the molting process. Don’t touch it when you think it has died during its molt, as the process can take a long time to complete. Leave it be for a long time, and only after several days, you may start to assume it has died.

How long does molting take with tarantulas?

How long it takes for a tarantula to complete molting, may vary between species and even individual spiders.

Some tarantulas can molt as quick as during a quarter of an hour. Others will take up to an entire day to molt.

That’s why we advise you to wait at least a couple of days before you check if your tarantula has died during molting. If you bother it during the process, it may die of stress.

Can I handle my tarantula immediately after molting?

No, don’t handle your tarantula immediately after it is done molting. While we generally advice against handling your tarantula often, this is even more so the case during the week after it has molted.

Tarantulas are fragile species in general, and after molting their exoskeleton is soft, which makes them even more fragile. Depending on the species, it takes anywhere from a week to two weeks before its exoskeleton has reached its normal hardness, which should be the only time you handle your tarantula, if at all.

How long should I wait with feeding my tarantula after molting?

You should wait for at least 5 days to a week before attempting to feed your tarantula. 

Start with small food that can’t possibly hurt the tarantula during the soft stage of its exoskeleton. Immediately remove the prey if the tarantula declines to eat for two minutes. Then try again in a couple of days, or during your next scheduled weekly feeding session. Let the tarantula mind it’s own business in the meantime. Never leave prey behind then the tarantula doesn’t want to eat, especially during the two weeks that follow its molting.