b smithi moult

[greigmason]

Dear all, I am patiently waiting for my b. smithi to moult. This will be her second moult with me and the first one went perfectly. The first time she moulted she stopped eating for about 2 weeks then moulted but this time it has been almost five weeks since her last meal. She is giving out all the signs, no eating, lethargic, very dull in appearance and I know the moult is imminent but how long can she go without food before a moult? I keep offering food every couple of days but she has no interest in it at all. Just starting to panic a wee bit as it seems to be taking a long time! Any words of help and assurance greatly accepted! Thanks, Greig

[matthew spooner]

i wouldnt worry. there is no rule book when it comes to time frames for these sort of things, it could happen tomorrow or it could happen next week. if she is in pre moult then i wouldnt bother offering any more food until after the event as she wont eat in pre moult anyway. Ts can go a surprisingly long length of time without eating, with some species fasting for months at a time. hope this helps

[Claire Beckett]

As per Matthew, I wouldnt worry, she knows best. My rosie has not eaten for nearing 2 months now but this is perfectly normal. Premoult periods can vary greatly so just leave her to it, she'll be fine.

[Andrew Ferguson]

The main downside to these prolonged fasts are that the tarantula has no idea how much money you will have wasted on live food that just ends up dieing off.

[Tom Forman]

they can take their time alright. Sounds like a small one to me, how old is it?

Are you providing water regularly, thats the only thing you can do atm really but don't keep it too wet either.

[greigmason]

Thanx guys. Thats helped to put my mind at rest. Yes Tom she is just a small one. She is a juvenile, about 3-4 inches leg span. A real wee cracker! Thanx again, speak to you all soon, greig

[Claire Beckett]

Aw! My Smithi is only about 2 - 2.5 inches at the moment and she's great too. Eats like a horse! Good luck with yours, she'll look great when freshly moulted. Can't wait til mine moults again!