Molting Question

[Andrew Murdoch]

Hi there,
well I have had two sucessful moltings. One Mex Red Knee which I was worried about as it molted on its 'feet', and a sucessful Goliath Pink Foot. I am well happy about these moltings.
The question I have is this. I have a Goliath and I seem to think it could be in pre-molt as it has stopped eating. It is an adult, it has stopped eating for around about three weeks, if an adult is in pre-molt how long could it be like this till it molts. My Mex Red knee stopped eating for what seemed like over a month, so am I right in saying a Goliath could be in this 'state' for far longer.
I look forward to reading your replies.

[Guy Tansley]

Hi Andrew,

yes, it may well be a bit longer. The older a spider is, the longer it's fasting period can be.

[Samantha Lewanewsky]

My 8inch legspan Lasiodora parahybana didn't eat for nearly a year before she moulted, and one of my little spiders (it was about 2cm) ate a couple of crickets only a few hours before it moulted!