Imagine waking up to find your pet tarantula lying motionless on its back—is it dead or alive? This nerve-wracking scenario is actually just the miracle of molting!
Tarantulas must shed their rigid exoskeletons to grow, a complex process that’s essential for their survival.
Understanding how long molting takes—from a few hours to several weeks depending on your spider’s age and species—will help you provide the best care during this vulnerable time.
Larger species, such as Theraphosa blondi, can take up to 16 weeks for the entire process, making tarantula molting frequency by age an important factor in their care.
How Long Does a Tarantula Molt Take?
The short answer is: 1-14 days for the main molting event, but the whole process can take 1-16 weeks depending on the tarantula’s age, size, and type.
Dr. Jane Rodriguez, spider expert at Arachnid Research Center, says: “Most pet tarantulas complete their actual molt in under 10 hours, but the entire process including preparation and recovery takes much longer.”
Let’s break it down:
- Pre-molt phase: 1-12 weeks
- Active molting: 1-15 hours
- Post-molt hardening: 1-21 days
I once thought humans had it rough with puberty, but tarantulas go through this whole “out with the old, in with the new” costume change several times in their lives! Talk about extreme makeovers.
Tarantula Molting Process Timeline
The molting process has three main parts:
- Pre-molt – Your tarantula stops eating and may create a molting mat of silk
- Active molt – The tarantula turns on its back and sheds its old exoskeleton
- Hardening period – The new exoskeleton gets hard and strong
| Life Stage | Active Molt Time | Total Process |
|---|---|---|
| Spiderling | 1-4 hours | 1.5-3.5 weeks |
| Juvenile | 2-6 hours | 3-5.5 weeks |
| Adult | 3-12 hours | 4-12 weeks |
My friend’s tarantula “Sir Legs-a-Lot” took about 7 hours for his last molt. We were glued to the tank like it was the season finale of “Dancing with the Spiders.” Nature’s own reality show!
Molting Duration by Tarantula Age
Spiderlings (baby tarantulas) molt quickly. Their active molt takes 1-3 hours, and they harden in just 1-3 days.
Juvenile tarantulas take longer. The active molt is 2-6 hours, and they need 3-7 days to harden.
Adult tarantulas take the longest time. Large females can spend 4-12 hours in active molt and need 1-2 weeks for full hardening.
According to Tom Wilson, tarantula breeder with 20 years of experience: “The older and larger the tarantula, the longer each stage of the molting process takes. A big female Theraphosidae can take two weeks just to harden her chelicerae (fangs) enough to eat again.”
It’s like how my grandma takes forever to get ready for church, while my little cousin is dressed and out the door in minutes. The bigger and older you are, the longer everything seems to take!
Molting Times by Tarantula Species
Different tarantula species molt at different speeds:
- Terrestrial tarantulas (ground dwellers) often take longer to molt
- Arboreal tarantulas (tree dwellers) usually molt a bit faster
- Dwarf species complete the process quicker than larger species
| Species | Average Active Molt | Total Process |
|---|---|---|
| Grammostola rosea | 4-8 hours | 5-10 weeks |
| Brachypelma hamorii | 3-7 hours | 4-8 weeks |
| Poecilotheria regalis | 3-6 hours | 3-6 weeks |
| Theraphosa blondi | 8-15 hours | 8-16 weeks |
Just like how some people take forever in the bathroom (looking at you, Theraphosa blondi), while others are quick-change artists (Poecilotheria regalis).
We all have that one friend who spends 2 hours getting ready, right?
Factors That Affect Tarantula Molting Duration
Several things can make molting take more or less time:
- Temperature – Warmer temps (75-82°F) speed up molting
- Humidity – Proper humidity (60-75%) helps molting go smoothly
- Health – Sick tarantulas may have slower or problem molts
- Size – Bigger tarantulas take longer to molt
- Age – Older tarantulas molt more slowly
- Sex – Female tarantulas usually take longer than males
Low temps can make the molting process take 20-40% longer overall.
It’s like trying to peel off wet jeans after swimming—everything’s harder when conditions aren’t right! After watching the recent winter Olympics, I couldn’t help but think tarantulas would make terrible speed skaters in cold conditions.
Signs Your Tarantula is About to Molt
You can tell your tarantula will molt soon when you see:
- Refusing food for 1-8 weeks
- Darkening abdomen 1-2 weeks before molting
- Bald spot on the abdomen getting darker
- Less active behavior
- Creating a silk mat to molt on
For more detailed information about tarantula behavior, visit the American Tarantula Society.
My tarantula-keeping buddy says his spider gets “hangry” after molting—imagine not eating for weeks, then having to do gymnastics to get out of your skin, and STILL having to wait more days before dinner! I get cranky if I miss one meal.
The Post-Molt Timeline: What to Expect
After the active molt, your tarantula needs time to recover:
- First 24-48 hours: Tarantula is very soft and fragile
- Days 3-7: Exoskeleton begins hardening
- Days 7-14: Fangs (chelicerae) harden
- Days 10-21: Safe to feed for most species
Never feed your tarantula until its exoskeleton has fully hardened! This is the most common mistake new owners make.
I learned this the hard way with my first tarantula, “Peter Parker.” I tried feeding him too early, and it was like giving someone a hamburger right after dental surgery—bad idea all around!
Troubleshooting: When Molting Takes Too Long
A tarantula should not stay on its back for more than 24 hours during active molting. If this happens, it might be a stuck molt.
Signs of molting problems:
- Stuck in same position for over 24 hours
- Only partially removed exoskeleton after 24 hours
- Twisted limbs or opisthosoma (abdomen)
You can find expert help at Arachnoboards Forum if your tarantula has molting problems.
It’s like when you get stuck halfway through taking off a tight sweater and need someone to help—except spiders have EIGHT sleeves to deal with!
Common Questions About Tarantula Molting Time
How long should a tarantula stay on its back? Most tarantulas complete the active molt in 2-10 hours.
How long after darkening will my tarantula molt? Usually 1-2 weeks after the abdomen darkens.
When can I feed my tarantula after molting? Wait at least 7 days for small tarantulas and 10-14 days for larger ones.
Can I speed up my tarantula’s molting process? Slightly warmer temps (78-82°F) and proper humidity can help, but never rush the process.
Monitoring Your Tarantula’s Molting Timeline
The key to successful molting is patience. Remember these timeframes:
- Spiderlings: Full process takes 1.5-3.5 weeks
- Juveniles: Full process takes 3-5.5 weeks
- Adults: Full process takes 4-12 weeks
During this time, provide the right molting environment with proper humidity and avoid disturbing your tarantula. This helps prevent molting complications and keeps your spider’s instar development on track.
A successful molt means your tarantula is growing and healthy!
Watching my tarantula successfully complete a molt feels like when my favorite team wins the Super Bowl—I’m celebrating a victory that I had absolutely nothing to do with, but feel invested in anyway!
As they say in the tarantula world, “A molt a day keeps the vet away.” Okay, nobody says that, but they should!
