Shall I molt today?...Nah!

[colin haris]

Hi All

I came down stairs on xmas morning to find my Maraca Horrida juv on its back in the molt position, I thought to myself, cool an early crimbo prezzie! So I gentley opened up my spidy cabinet to get a closer look and to my suprise it flipped back over and bolted for its burrow.
I assumed that as soon as he/she felt safe again it would try again as time would now be ticking for it to do so, but it has been four days now and it seems in no hurry to molt?
My question is, can they pick and choose when to molt or not as I thought it was more of a now or never thing? Has anyone else had this happen?
Thanks.

Colin

[vincent winyard]

hi colin im no expert on t,s yet but what i do know is if a spiders going to molt they normaly go of there food about 2 to 4 weeks before the big event and there should be a dark bald spot on the abdomen and the humidity should be at the right level this can differ depending on the species of the spider this makes the molt a lot easier for the spider to deal with. when the time comes as you know they go on to there back to start the molt but under no circumstances should they be disturbed and i think they should be left alone for at least four days after.like i said colin im still quite new to keeping t,s i hope this has been of some help to you maybe someone with more experience might be able to explain why your t turned itself up the right way and run for cover.

[colin haris]

Hi Vincent, thanks for the reply.
I have had A fair bit of experience with molting T's so am aware of most of the problems/situations that can arise before,during and after molts.
This however is the first time a molting spider has flipped back over once in the molt position. (on its back)
It must have been in the very early stages as it had not popped its carapace and I just assumed he/she would try again as soon as it felt safe.
I am just very suprised that it has been so long since this happened, and yet it still has not started the molt again. I wondered if something like this has happened to anyone else?
I am most confused?

[vincent winyard]

hi colin sorry i couldn,t help resolve your problem with your t. i hope someone comes up with the answer for you soon. could you keep me informed of your t,s progress thank,s.