Hi Guys,

I am new to the hobby and purchased 2 B.boehmei slings. They were both eating 1-2 times per week. Then something happend. I got the web mould. I did what my instincts told me and change the subtrate to a completly dry subtrate with a tiny watering bowl. What happend after this is mind boggling.

The one little guy started eating more and being more active it has molted since on the dry subtrate and looks happier than ever. On the other hand the other lil guy went on a complete shut down. It hardly moves doesnt want to eat at all. My first thought was that it will molt in a day or three so I left it alone. On day 4 no molt yet? I put another pinhead in the tub and after 24hours it still there?

Needless to say I am getting worried now. I did wet the subtrate in one 1/4 of the tub last night (again instinct). Could anyone please advise me if this is normal or not and what else i can do.

PS. The web mould never grew over the sling and never covered a 1/4 of the tub I just caught it in time, it grows amazingly fast!

Kanon wrote: Hi Guys,

I am new to the hobby and purchased 2 B.boehmei slings. They were both eating 1-2 times per week. Then something happend. I got the web mould. I did what my instincts told me and change the subtrate to a completly dry subtrate with a tiny watering bowl. What happend after this is mind boggling.

The one little guy started eating more and being more active it has molted since on the dry subtrate and looks happier than ever. On the other hand the other lil guy went on a complete shut down. It hardly moves doesnt want to eat at all. My first thought was that it will molt in a day or three so I left it alone. On day 4 no molt yet? I put another pinhead in the tub and after 24hours it still there?

Needless to say I am getting worried now. I did wet the subtrate in one 1/4 of the tub last night (again instinct). Could anyone please advise me if this is normal or not and what else i can do.

PS. The web mould never grew over the sling and never covered a 1/4 of the tub I just caught it in time, it grows amazingly fast!

Hi Kanon,
I almost understand your post. I am unsure of the web mould? Always remove uneaten / leftover food from the enclosures. Take the uneaten pinhead out of the T's enclosure ASAP or it could eat your sling!
How does the T that doesn't move or eat look? Does it look heathly and is the abdomen bigger than the carapace? If he is looking healthy but just very 'chilled' and relaxed I would be more patient. I would mist the enclosure to increase the humidity (this has often caused some of my T's to molt that same day). There is not much else you can do.

I have 2x T's that I got at the same time that grow completely diffirent to each other. One growing fast and the other is often just enclosed in a burrow for weeks at a time and doesnt eat for weeks at end. They are unpredictable and we are yet to learn much.
I hope this helps.

4 days? That is still early days. Once they go into premolt, it can easily take a few weeks. Slings will generally spend less time in premolt, but nothing is set in stone. I have a GBB that has been in premolt for 2 weeks now. I am expecting it to molt any day now, but it could still take another 2 weeks. You just never know.

I woudn't worry just yet.

thanks guys! I am concerned about my kids as any parent should be!!! I will give it a couple of days and check how its going.....

@ Van the web mould is a horrible mould that covers the ground and grows at speeds faster than light! I had i huge problem with it I live in Richards bay and its very humid here so its a perfect breeding ground for the little devil spores inside the tub. Maybe the subtrate was contaminated? When i wet the subtrate it grows!

Kanon wrote: thanks guys! I am concerned about my kids as any parent should be!!! I will give it a couple of days and check how its going.....

@ Van the web mould is a horrible mould that covers the ground and grows at speeds faster than light! I had i huge problem with it I live in Richards bay and its very humid here so its a perfect breeding ground for the little devil spores inside the tub. Maybe the subtrate was contaminated? When i wet the subtrate it grows!

Kanon, I lived in Richards Bay for a few years up until last year. I moved to Durban. I know what you mean about the humidity. I see it as a blessing more than a curse. I dont wet the substrate of my T's at all (except H incei's). The humidity is always good enough for them without misting. I would only mist the slings enclosures so that they could drink a drop of water on the side if they are thirsty once a week or so. I keep the subtrate as dry as possible. Always remove leftover/ uneaten food and check the water bowl. Some of my T's drop there food leftovers into the water and then I clean it ASAP.

On a side note, have you noticed after a rain if your T's molt quicker. I reckon the rise in humidity (even from 65% to 75%) helps with molts. I have had a few T's molt the same night after a rain.

She molted yesterday during the day sometime! And had an appetite straight off the bat gave her a pinhead this morning and she was all over it like white on rice!!!