Gbb sling, pre moult concerns

[John dunne]

I've had my 1-2cm Gbb sling for little over 4 weeks, about 3 days after I got it I noticed a black blue bald spot, which i understand is a classic sign a T is about to moult. I haven't fed it now for about 2 weeks and still it hasn't moulted, what should I do? Keep waiting to see if it finally does moult or is it okay to feed it? Any help would be great. Thanks

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[Peter Roach]

Feed it as normal until it refuses and then wait until the moult. Feed again approx 7-10 day after moult

[John dunne]

Thanks Peter, I'm just a bit apprehensive about doing this as most threads I've read tell you NOT to feed in pre moult, but suppose if it's still taking prey items happily then why not give it to them!. Thanks again

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[Peter Roach]

All you have to remember is not to leave the prey insect in the tub if it is not eaten.
It is frequently written not to leave the insect in the tub for more than 24 hrs or over night, if the T doesnt grab the prey within 1 or 2 minutes I take it out immediately and try again next week if it isnt in premoult. If it is in premoult I will not feed until 1-2 weeks after the moult.
Dont forget that for a T to not eat for a week or two is like you having your dinner 15 minutes later than normal so dont be worried if you dont feed it for a few weeks or months.

[John dunne]

Thanks Peter that's put my mind at rest

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[Stanley A. Schultz]

I've had my 1-2cm Gbb sling for little over 4 weeks, about 3 days after I got it I noticed a black blue bald spot, which i understand is a classic sign a T is about to moult. I haven't fed it now for about 2 weeks and still it hasn't moulted, what should I do? Keep waiting to see if it finally does moult or is it okay to feed it? Any help would be great. Thanks

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Are you sure you're not misinterpreting its patch of urticating bristles for a bald spot? Here's a photo of a different species (Brachypelma albopilosum) of about the same size. I'm offering it because of the difference in background color. The patch of urticating bristles is much more obvious. (Click or right-click the thumbnail to see a larger image.)


(Photo by Jonathon Smith, one of the photo contributors for TKG3. Used with permission.)

Also, a tarantula with a 1 to 2 cm DLS (see below) is not a spiderling or "sling." It's still a wee baby and must be cared for as a baby. See Growing Your Own to sort out their nomenclature, and gain a better insight into tarantula care as they grow.

Lastly, have you read the Spiders, Calgary website? Go HERE and start reading.

DO NOT FAIL TO READ THE FOUR BOOKS RECOMMENDED IN STAN'S RANT!

The best news is that 90% of the questions you wanted to ask plus a lot, LOT more that you didn't think to ask are all laid out for you for ABSOLUTELY FREE if you take advantage of your friendly, neighborhood, public library! All you need do is read.

Best of luck. Hope this helps.


DLS = The linear distance between the tip of one front leg to the tip of the rear leg on the opposite side when the tarantula is in a normal, resting position. Yes, it's very inaccurate. Yes, it's very unfair. But, we're not competing for gold medals or a new car. We're just trying to figure out how big your spider is.

"Mine's bigger than yours is! Neener, neener, neeee-ner!"

[John dunne]

Are you sure you're not misinterpreting its patch of urticating bristles for a bald spot? Here's a photo of a different species (Brachypelma albopilosum) of about the same size. I'm offering it because of the difference in background color. The patch of urticating bristles is much more obvious. (Click or right-click the thumbnail to see a larger image.)


(Photo by Jonathon Smith, one of the photo contributors for TKG3. Used with permission.)

Also, a tarantula with a 1 to 2 cm DLS (see below) is not a spiderling or "sling." It's still a wee baby and must be cared for as a baby. See Growing Your Own to sort out their nomenclature, and gain a better insight into tarantula care as they grow.

Lastly, have you read the Spiders, Calgary website? Go HERE and start reading.

DO NOT FAIL TO READ THE FOUR BOOKS RECOMMENDED IN STAN'S RANT!

The best news is that 90% of the questions you wanted to ask plus a lot, LOT more that you didn't think to ask are all laid out for you for ABSOLUTELY FREE if you take advantage of your friendly, neighborhood, public library! All you need do is read.

Best of luck. Hope this helps.


DLS = The linear distance between the tip of one front leg to the tip of the rear leg on the opposite side when the tarantula is in a normal, resting position. Yes, it's very inaccurate. Yes, it's very unfair. But, we're not competing for gold medals or a new car. We're just trying to figure out how big your spider is.

"Mine's bigger than yours is! Neener, neener, neeee-ner!"

Hi Stan, I'm not 100% sure about that, it could well be but as I have never seen it kick hairs and I'm never really in its enclosure, I'm just assuming it's in pre moult. The spot doesn't look like the one in that picture it's more of a blackish colour on top in the center of the abdomen, no bigger than a few mm. I can't take a pic at the moment but will try later on today when I'm home.
After reading the info on the link you gave me I think it is just a 'wee baby' Around the size of a penny in diameter. I've read in other places this species likes a more dryer habitat so I water sparingly and sub is more dry than moist.

Am I right in assuming you are THEE Stanley A. Schultz off of books and stuff?? Tarantula keepers guide "TKG" THE BIBLE!?

I purchased a copy 3 days ago online, should be here next week so you should see a few dollars heading your way shortly

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[Stanley A. Schultz]

... I've read in other places this species likes a more dryer habitat so I water sparingly and sub is more dry than moist. ...

Adults, yes. Babies, no. Treat baby GBB like any other baby: Feed heavily, reduce ventilation, maintain a damp substrate, watch for mites and other vermin, clean the container at the first sign of trouble. See Growing Your Own for more information.

... Am I right in assuming you are THEE Stanley A. Schultz off of books and stuff?? Tarantula keepers guide "TKG" THE BIBLE!? ...

Yes. But, let's not get too caught up in the hero worship thing. I'm just "Stan," and almost as much a "noob" as most other people. Only I've had 45+ years experience at it, so it just seems like I know a lot. I'm still learning too!

... I purchased a copy 3 days ago online, should be here next week ...

Bless you my child! (That's a joke! That's a joke!) But do not fail to also read the Addenda and Errata page. We had to trim out about half the original manuscript to get the book down to publishable size. So we compiled those trimmings and posted them in that webpage so enthusiasts will still be able to read it.

... so you should see a few dollars heading your way shortly ...

In whose world? John Grisham, Michael Crichton and Steven King may get a couple of bucks a copy, but I only get about US $0.75 each. It doesn't even come close to paying for my gas (petrol)!

Of course, I live in and drive one of these, so that may be the reason (Click or right-click the thumbnails to see larger images.) ...


(January and February 2013 in Peñitas, Texas.)

... catching and "studying" these ...


(Aphonopelma moderatum, the Rio Grande gold tarantula. I cheated here. I didn't have a photo of one actually caught near Peñitas, so I substituted a photo of one I caught several years ago in the Del Rio, Texas area. Sorry.)


(Latrodectus hesperus, the western black widow. This is an unusual color form of the species wherein the females retain their juvenile coloring throughout life. Beautiful creatures!)

...in habitat like this ...


(Five kilometers west of Sullivan City, Texas. A. moderatum were caught along the shoulder and ditch of the highway from about the level of the wooden cross (right end of the photo against the fence) and left-wards. The widows were caught under the bridge at the very left edge of the photo.

If you're curious enough, use Google Maps to find these locations. Click "Satellite in the upper right corner. Use the "little orange guy" along the left of their photos to view location terrain. (Drag and drop him wherever a blue routing line appears. The green dot under him is the actual location of the photo.)

And, if you like Mexican cuisine, you'd be in Heaven in this area!


Your tarantulas spend a lot of time meditating. Their Lotus Position is nothing short of unbelievable!

[John dunne]

Adults, yes. Babies, no. Treat baby GBB like any other baby: Feed heavily, reduce ventilation, maintain a damp substrate, watch for mites and other vermin, clean the container at the first sign of trouble. See Growing Your Own for more information.



Yes. But, let's not get too caught up in the hero worship thing. I'm just "Stan," and almost as much a "noob" as most other people. Only I've had 45+ years experience at it, so it just seems like I know a lot. I'm still learning too!



Bless you my child! (That's a joke! That's a joke!) But do not fail to also read the Addenda and Errata page. We had to trim out about half the original manuscript to get the book down to publishable size. So we compiled those trimmings and posted them in that webpage so enthusiasts will still be able to read it.



In whose world? John Grisham, Michael Crichton and Steven King may get a couple of bucks a copy, but I only get about US $0.75 each. It doesn't even come close to paying for my gas (petrol)!

Of course, I live in and drive one of these, so that may be the reason (Click or right-click the thumbnails to see larger images.) ...


(January and February 2013 in Peñitas, Texas.)

... catching and "studying" these ...


(Aphonopelma moderatum, the Rio Grande gold tarantula. I cheated here. I didn't have a photo of one actually caught near Peñitas, so I substituted a photo of one I caught several years ago in the Del Rio, Texas area. Sorry.)


(Latrodectus hesperus, the western black widow. This is an unusual color form of the species wherein the females retain their juvenile coloring throughout life. Beautiful creatures!)

...in habitat like this ...


(Five kilometers west of Sullivan City, Texas. A. moderatum were caught along the shoulder and ditch of the highway from about the level of the wooden cross (right end of the photo against the fence) and left-wards. The widows were caught under the bridge at the very left edge of the photo.

If you're curious enough, use Google Maps to find these locations. Click "Satellite in the upper right corner. Use the "little orange guy" along the left of their photos to view location terrain. (Drag and drop him wherever a blue routing line appears. The green dot under him is the actual location of the photo.)

And, if you like Mexican cuisine, you'd be in Heaven in this area!


Your tarantulas spend a lot of time meditating. Their Lotus Position is nothing short of unbelievable!

Thanks Stan I'll be straight in there with my pipette as soon as I get home.
Also I will be sure to check out that link too! As I've had a mere few months experience with tarantula, I'd be a fool bot to take the advice of a time served guy like yourself.
$0.75!! You should of said, I would of mailed you a whole bunch of cash instead of to those guys!

That's a pretty cool motor home (it's a motor home right? We don't see many in the UK) it looks like something off that show 'Breaking Bad' hope that's not how you make up the the extra cash from your 75 cents a book deal! joking of course.

I've yet to travel to North America but from the species that are found over those ways and from the pics you've shown me, seems like I'm missing out! House spiders are as exciting as my area has to offer. It's definitely on my bucket list for 2014! As I say I'm only a few months into this hobby and every day I'm learning more and more, I'd actually say I LOVE the unquenchable thirst for knowledge I have!

And Stan... Who doesn't like Mexican food?

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