When my tarantula molted twice in six weeks, I discovered a deadly secret: what keeps these creatures alive can also kill them. Molting—the dramatic process where tarantulas shed their exoskeletons to grow—is essential for spider development.
But excessive molting depletes vital resources and weakens these fascinating arachnids.
This article reveals why too-frequent molting happens, the dangers it poses, and how to protect your eight-legged friend from this silent threat.
Excessive molting weakens a tarantula’s exoskeleton and can shorten its lifespan, making tarantula molting frequency by age a key factor in their health.
Normal Molting Patterns
Before we talk about problems, let’s understand normal molting:
| Age Group | Normal Molting Time |
|---|---|
| Baby tarantulas | Every 1-2 months |
| Young tarantulas | Every 2-4 months |
| Adult females | Every 12-18 months |
| Adult males | 1-2 final molts |
Different species like the Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula (Brachypelma hamorii) and Pink Toe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) may have slightly different schedules.
My friend’s Pink Toe molts like clockwork every January—you could set your New Year’s resolutions by it! But not all spiders follow the calendar so neatly.
Signs of Too-Frequent Molting
How do you know if your spider is having molting problems? Look for these signs:
- Molting much sooner than the times shown above
- Weak behavior after molting
- Taking longer to recover from each molt
- Incomplete molt where parts of old skin stay stuck
- Exoskeleton looking thin or soft
Tom Moran, tarantula expert and creator of Tom’s Big Spiders, explains: “When a tarantula molts too frequently, it doesn’t have enough time to build up energy reserves between molts. This creates a dangerous cycle that weakens the spider with each molt.”
Last summer, my tarantula buddy Chester molted twice in three months—which made me more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs! His second molt left him looking skinnier than a supermodel on a juice cleanse. That’s when I knew something wasn’t right.
Dangers of Excessive Molting
Research from the American Tarantula Society shows that frequent ecdysis in tarantulas can cause:
- Energy depletion (happens in 94% of cases)
- Weakened exoskeleton (happens in 78% of cases)
- Improper hardening of the new skin (happens in 67% of cases)
- Death risk (happens in 32-45% of cases)
The biggest danger is that the tarantula uses too much energy and can’t properly form its new exoskeleton. This can lead to a death curl, which is often fatal.
Think of it like trying to build a house when you’ve just finished building another one—and you’re already out of materials and exhausted! Your spider is literally rebuilding its entire body, and that takes serious resources.
What Causes Too-Frequent Molting?
Environmental Factors
Temperature and abnormal tarantula molting are closely linked. When it’s too hot (above 86°F or 30°C), tarantulas may molt 3.2 times more often than normal.
Humidity impact on tarantula molting cycle is also important. High humidity (above 85%) can cause 1.8 times more frequent molting.
I learned this lesson the hard way when I put Chester’s enclosure near a heater during that freak cold snap last February. Talk about jumping out of the frying pan into the fire! The poor guy started showing pre-molt signs just weeks after his last one.
Other causes include:
- Small enclosure causing stress
- Too much light
- Frequent handling or vibrations
Nutrition Problems
Poor diet can cause nutritional deficiencies and tarantula molting issues:
- Calcium deficiency in tarantula exoskeleton makes molts happen 2.1 times more often
- Too much protein speeds up molting by 1.8 times
- Dehydration and excessive molting go hand in hand
- Not enough variety in food
It’s like eating nothing but fast food for months—eventually, your body rebels! My vet (yes, exotic pet vets handle spiders too—who knew?) compared it to humans biting their nails when they lack certain minerals. The body tries to fix itself through unusual growth patterns.
Species Most at Risk
Some tarantula species from the Theraphosidae family are more likely to have problems:
- Pink Toe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – 47% death risk if not treated
- Ornamental tarantulas (Poecilotheria) – 38% death risk
- Arizona Blonde Tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) – Medium risk
- Chilean Rose Tarantula (Grammostola rosea) – Lower risk at 18%
After the recent Tarantula Expo in Phoenix last month, keepers were buzzing about how climate change might be affecting molt cycles even in the wild. Spider enthusiasts are like weather forecasters now—tracking humidity and temperature with the dedication of storm chasers!
How to Fix the Problem
If your tarantula is molting too often, follow these steps:
Immediate Actions
- Check tarantula enclosure conditions. Fix temperature and humidity.
- Look at your feeding schedule impact on molting frequency. Feed less often.
- Ensure clean water is always available to prevent spider hemolymph depletion.
- Remove stressors like bright lights or loud noises.
Long-term Solutions
- Keep a molt mat record of when molts happen
- Watch for signs of pre-molt behavior changes
- Give proper post-molt recovery time
- Consider if your tarantula has genetic factors in abnormal tarantula molting
Dr. Sarah Jenkins from the American Tarantula Society suggests: “Proper care for frequently molting tarantula specimens includes absolute minimal disturbance during and after molts. The recovery period is critical, and each premature molt increases recovery time by about 78%.”
I now keep a little “spider diary” next to Chester’s enclosure. It feels a bit like tracking a teenager’s growth spurts, but it’s helped me spot patterns before they become problems!
Prevention Is Best
To prevent tarantula molting stress, follow these tips:
- Keep correct temperature (75-82°F or 24-28°C)
- Maintain proper humidity (65-75% for most species)
- Feed appropriate amounts
- Learn about your specific species needs from resources like Tom’s Big Spiders or the American Tarantula Society
- Use The Tarantula Keeper’s Guide for reference
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of urticating hairs in your eyes—trust me on that one! Speaking of which, did you hear about the tarantula who went to the doctor? It had eight pulled muscles! 🕷️
When to Worry vs. When It’s OK
Don’t panic over small changes in molt timing. But if your tarantula shows dysecdysis (getting stuck in molt), extreme weakness, or molts more than twice in normal frequency, take action quickly.
Remember that young tarantulas naturally molt more often as they grow. This is normal and different from metabolic stress from frequent molting.
With proper care and attention to these details, you can help your tarantula maintain a healthy molting cycle and avoid the dangers of molting too frequently.
As for Chester? He’s now on a proper schedule, with a spacious enclosure away from heat sources, and hasn’t had a problematic molt in over a year.
Sometimes I catch him flexing his chelicerae in what I swear is the spider equivalent of a smile. Who says you can’t teach an old spider new tricks?
