Did you just gasp at your motionless tarantula? Don’t panic yet! For millions of years, these eight-legged wonders have shed their exoskeletons to grow—a natural process called molting that often looks alarmingly like death.
With 95% of molting tarantulas lying on their backs, misdiagnosis is common.
This guide will show you exactly how to tell if your tarantula is simply changing outfits or has truly departed.
A tarantula lying on its back is a strong indicator of positioning for molt, not an emergency.
What is Molting?
Molting is basically a tarantula’s version of extreme makeover: arachnid edition.
Your tarantula kicks off its old exoskeleton like you’d ditch last season’s too-tight jeans.
My first spider, Captain Legs, used to look like a Halloween decoration during this process – totally freaky but totally normal!
Signs Your Tarantula is Molting
Before Molting Starts
Your fuzzy friend will drop some serious hints before the big strip-down:
- Stops eating for 1-4 weeks (average is 2.3 weeks) – just like me before beach season!
- Turns into a couch potato, barely moving (relatable, right?)
- Spins a web mat like a tiny silk carpet (73% of ground-living species do this)
- Gets a bald spot on its abdomen that would make my uncle Dave jealous (87% of tarantulas show this)
- Looks duller than a Monday morning meeting
Tom Moran, a tarantula expert who knows more about spiders than I know about pizza toppings, says: “A tarantula that refuses food and becomes less active is often preparing to molt. Never try to force-feed a tarantula during this time.” Trust me, I tried once with my tarantula Spinderella – big mistake! She gave me the cold shoulder for days.
During Molting
When the fashion show finally begins:
- Flips on its back like it’s doing some bizarre yoga pose (95% do this)
- Plays the ultimate statue game when gently blown on (but in a controlled way)
- Has an abdomen that looks like it had an all-you-can-eat buffet
- Takes anywhere from a quick 15 minutes to a full day to finish – slower than my grandma trying to use a smartphone!
| Tarantula Size | Average Molt Time |
|---|---|
| Baby (sling) | 1-3 hours |
| Young (juvenile) | 3-5 hours |
| Adult | 5-24 hours |
Signs Your Tarantula Has Died
Sadly, sometimes the worst does happen. A tarantula that’s gone to the great web in the sky looks different than one getting a new suit:
- Legs curled under like it’s hugging itself (that famous death curl – which, despite the metal band-worthy name, is super sad to see)
- Floppier than a rag doll when gently nudged
- Abdomen looking deflated like a week-old birthday balloon
- Sometimes smells funky – and not in a good way
- No fancy shed exoskeleton laying around like discarded pajamas
- Normal colored fangs (not white) – I learned this the hard way with my second tarantula, Sir Spinsley
The British Tarantula Society (who throw much fancier spider parties than I do) reports that 23% of pet tarantula deaths happen during molting.
This often happens when the humidity is lower than my bank account after holiday shopping.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| What to Check | Molting | Dead |
|---|---|---|
| Leg position | On back, legs up | Curled under body |
| Response | No movement, but not limp | No movement, completely limp |
| Abdomen | Normal or larger, may have bald spot | Shrunken, may be discolored |
| Web | Often has a web mat underneath | Usually no web |
| After 48 hours | 97% show some movement | No change |
What to Do If Your Tarantula is Molting
If your eight-legged roommate is in the middle of a costume change:
- DO NOT TOUCH it! Seriously, hands off! It’s like interrupting someone in the shower – awkward and potentially disastrous.
- Keep the humidity just right – think tropical vacation, not desert road trip.
- Make the room quieter than a library during finals week.
- Hold off on dinner time for at least 7 days after molting.
- Only serve pre-killed meals for 2-3 weeks after molting because the fangs are softer than overcooked pasta.
“The most common mistake is trying to help a molting tarantula,” warns the American Tarantula Society. “This almost always leads to serious injury or death.” Just like when my mom tried to “help” with my science project in 4th grade – sometimes help isn’t helpful!
What to Do If Your Tarantula Has Died
If your spider buddy has taken its final bow (and believe me, I’ve shed tears over this):
- Double-check by gently blowing air on it with a straw to see if tiny hairs move – it’s like checking a mirror for breath, spider edition.
- Keep notes like a spider detective for future reference.
- Give it a proper farewell and clean house.
- Check your other tarantulas aren’t following the same path – it’s like when one phone in the house gets a virus!
Emergency Help for Molting Problems
Sometimes even tarantulas have wardrobe malfunctions and get stuck in molt. Look for:
- Taking longer to molt than it takes me to decide what to watch on Netflix
- Getting stuck halfway like wearing a sweater that’s too small
- Not moving for more than 24 hours while partially dressed in old skin
When this happens (and I’ve had 3am panic sessions over this), hop over to Arachnoboards.com, where the spider whisperers can walk you through what to do.
FAQ About Molting and Death
Q: How often do tarantulas molt?
A: Young tarantulas are like teenagers with growth spurts – molting 4-6 times yearly. Adults are more chill, usually once a year or less, like my annual attempt at spring cleaning.
Q: Can I keep the shed skin?
A: Absolutely! The exuvia (shed skin) is like a spider birth certificate – it can reveal if your tarantula is a boy or girl. I’ve got a whole collection that freaks out my dating prospects!
Q: What causes most tarantula deaths?
A: Wrong humidity levels cause 42% of deaths – more devastating than bad WiFi! Other culprits include old age, injuries, or care mistakes.
For spider wisdom that would impress Charlotte herself, check out the Tarantula Guide website. It’s got species-specific tips for popular pet tarantulas like Brachypelma hamorii, Grammostola rosea, and Avicularia avicularia – fancy names for fancy spiders!
Remember to keep a hygrometer in the cage (that’s a humidity measurer, not a spider lie detector!), watch for those telltale pre-molt behavior signs, and give your molting spider the privacy it deserves. After all, nobody looks their best during a wardrobe change – not even eight-legged fashionistas!
