Tarantula Advice Please

soleside · 6 Oct 2007 at 12:37

My girlfriend and I have recently bought our first tarantula, a lovely little Curly Hair called Flossy, which is now displaying some odd behaviour.

Earlier today I lifted the cork bark from the tank in order to transfer Flossy while I resoaked the substrate, on doing this I noticed she'd molted as her old skin was lying beside her. She seemed active/happy enough so I continued doing what I intended. I've since put her back but I've just had a look and she's now lying on her left side while seemingly cleaning herself with all of the legs on her right. Am I right in thinking she is simply cleaning herself or should I be concerned?

TIA

Barbie · 6 Oct 2007 at 12:38

Just cleaning herself, nothing to worry about.

Gilly · 6 Oct 2007 at 12:38

It's mutating. Kill it.

Lopéz · 6 Oct 2007 at 12:39

They need a good few days to recover fully from a moult. During this period they will stretch a lot and groom regularly. So it should be okay

Moredhel · 6 Oct 2007 at 12:39

I'm by no means an expert, or even that knowledgeable, but aren't you supposed to leave them alone for a day or two after they moult so their new skin can harden?

Lopéz · 6 Oct 2007 at 12:40

Moredhel said:
I'm by no means an expert, or even that knowledgeable, but aren't you supposed to leave them alone for a day or two after they moult so their new skin can harden?

Yep, you shouldn't feed or even disturb them really.

soleside · 6 Oct 2007 at 12:48

Thanks for the advice everyone.

She seems fine now, back on all 8 wandering around. I'll hold on the crickets for a day or two also.

EDIT: Neither of us are sure when she moulted as we've only seen her twice in three weeks, though she did block the tunnel to her burrow about four days ago, which I'd noticed had been reopened today if that's any indication?

Barbie · 6 Oct 2007 at 13:43

Sometime in the last four days would be my guess. Depending on her size, could be a few weeks before she eats again. Offer food in a weeks time, see how she does.

Make sure she has a fresh bowl of water at all times though. (NO SPONGE IN IT!)

Barbie · 6 Oct 2007 at 15:10

Just got in and looked in my spider room to find my E.campestratus finally moulting after over 2 years since her last one. It's been about 15months since she last ate too.

Hopefully this moulting this is contagious, got a few females i want to get bred.