How to Determine If Your Tarantula Is Molting: The Complete Guide

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What you need to know about your tarantula’s molting process

Co-authored by Brandon Runyon

Last Updated: August 27, 2024 Approved

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Checking for Signs of Molting

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Molting Care

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Expert Interview

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Expert Q&A

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Warnings

Mature tarantulas will molt about once per year, while younger tarantulas may molt more often. Before your tarantula molts, you may notice some physical and behavioral changes. Since molting can be difficult for your tarantula, there are also some special care guidelines that you may want to keep in mind during and after the molting process.

Things You Should Know

Watch for decreased movement. If your tarantula has not been moving much lately, this could be a sign that they are about to molt.
Not eating or eating less than usual indicates that your tarantula will molt soon.
Check for any bald spots. Some tarantulas will lose hair on their abdomens leading up to a molt.

Section 1 of 2:

Signs that Your Tarantula is Molting

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Is your spider moving around less than usual? Tarantulas often stop moving or don't move at all to conserve energy before a molt. If your tarantula has not been moving much lately, then this could be a sign that she is about to molt.^{[1]
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Is your tarantula eating? Before a big molt, tarantulas will stop eating for extended periods of time, ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months. If you have noticed that your tarantula has not been eating or that she has been eating less than usual, then this could indicate that she is going to molt soon.^{[2]
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Some tarantulas secrete tiny drops of a clear fluid between the joints on their legs, and this can indicate that your tarantula is getting ready to molt. Check to see if you can see these droplets, but keep in mind that not all tarantulas do this before a molt.^{[3]
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Thinning hair or a bald spot Some tarantulas will lose hair on their abdomens leading up to a molt. You might notice less hair on your tarantula’s abdomen or even a bald spot on your tarantula’s abdomen.^{[4]
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Research source} If you see this, then it is a good sign that your tarantula is getting ready to molt.
- Your tarantula’s abdomen may also appear darker and shinier than usual before she molts.^{[5]
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Being in an upside-down position What position is the spider in? During a molt, a tarantula lays up-side down on her back or on her side to get out of the old skin easier.^{[6]
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Research source} This happens when a tarantula is actively molting and the whole process takes just a few hours. If your tarantula is on her back or side, then she might be trying to molt her skin.
- Spiders curl up their legs tightly underneath them when they die. If your tarantula is on her stomach and has curled her legs tightly inwards, then she may be dead or dying.^{[7]
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Section 2 of 2:

Caring for Your Tarantula During and After Molting

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Leave your tarantula be. Tarantulas can sustain injuries or even die if they are disturbed while they are molting. Therefore, it is important to leave your tarantula alone while she molts.^{[8]
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Research source} Plan to leave your tarantula while she is showing signs of molting and for at least one week following a molt.
- Wait at least one week after a molt to pick up and/or hold your tarantula.^{[9]
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After your tarantula has completely shed her exoskeleton, you can remove it from her cage. Try using a pair of tweezers to pick the exoskeleton up.
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Skip feedings for three to five days after your tarantula has molted. Your tarantula will be sensitive and prone to injury following a molt, which means that its normal prey might harm her. Therefore, do not feed your tarantula for at least a few days following a molt.^{[10]
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- While your tarantula cannot hunt following a molt, she will still need to drink water. Make sure your tarantula has plenty of fresh water at all times.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Should I feed my tarantula while it's molting?

Brandon Runyon
Entomologist
Brandon Runyon is a board-certified Entomologist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has over 18 years of experience as a Pest Control professional, and is the Technical Director of Swat Pest Management. Swat Pest Management serves areas throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, where they provide safe, cost-effective solutions for client’s pest control needs. He authored Bugged by Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control, a user-friendly guide to commercial pest control practices in hotels, restaurants, apartments, and offices. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Entomology, and received a MS in Entomology from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also received an MBA from Western Governors University.

Brandon Runyon

Entomologist

Expert Answer

No, you should not feed your tarantula while it's molting. During this time, their new exoskeleton is soft and vulnerable as it hasn't hardened yet. You should allow them to complete the molting process undisturbed and without added stress. If you notice your tarantula beginning to molt, remove any food from its enclosure carefully to avoid causing disturbance, and refrain from offering food until the molting process is complete.

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Warnings

Do not try to pull off the exoskeleton while your tarantula is molting. You could accidentally harm her/him, such as by pulling off a limb.

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