Whats this.

[Richard Simmonds]

Hi to all,
I,ve another little querry for you clever people. My A.Chalcodes, when arrived about a month agao, had to bald spots on her opisthosoma. I thought that she might be close to a moult. But reading the other day, found that she could be a male, and this was a sign of old age. Anybody got another idea. And i will try to post some pics to show this, but she/he rarely comes out to play.
I thank you in advance for your help.

[Richard Goram]

Bald spots on the opisthosoma are usually where the spider has been defensively kicking hairs with their back legs. Nice spider by the way

[Richard Simmonds]

Thanks Richard, how long should it take to cover up.

[Colin D Wilson]

Normally recovers after a moult, if it's a very old spider it may not moult again though.

[Richard Goram]

Yeah they don't re-grow hairs at all other than when they molt, then they come out looking perfect and un-blemished. It is also a good indicator of an up-coming molt because as the new hairs are growing underneath the old skin the bald patch darkens (though A.chalcodes is a light coloured spider so not sure how dark it would get).