Hello,
newby questions on moulting.
I have read the faq and some other posts I found on moulting but still not sure on some points.
Our Brachypelma albopilosum , about 5cm,is hiding away in its burrow for the last 2 weeks, it stopped taking food before that and kikced hair at the cricket the last time we tried to feed it (2-weeks ago), so I take it that he (for now we assume a he) is in pre-moult state.
1) how long does it stay in this state before actually moulting ? because he is young I thought it should have happened by now.
2) Will he come out of his burrow to moult ? and if not should I just let him be untill he has hardened ?
3) I understand we have to leave him alone at this point, does this mean we can't move or touch his terrarium at all ? and what about movement in the surrounding area ?

Neil.

From my own exprience with both my Curly and Pokie, it could take a few weeks before the actaully molt, when going into premolt, your T might molt inside his borrow or he might come out and make a webbing and molt, for example my Curly made a webbing and molted out in the open, as to were my Pokie enclosed it self and molted only to kick the molt out.
I would suggest leave well alone as this will cause less stress on the T, and once it has molted give it a few days round about a week or more to harden, before attempting to handle or feed the T or mess around in its enclosure.
Movement outside it's encloser like you passing the enclosure, won't stress it out too much I believe if it is burrowing.

neil.truter wrote: 1) how long does it stay in this state before actually moulting ? because he is young I thought it should have happened by now.
I can't answer that because they all different i guess, anything from a day to few months. I had a L.Klugi that wouldn't eat and stayed burrowed for reason for around 5 months before coming out and in his new coat

2) Will he come out of his burrow to moult ? and if not should I just let him be untill he has hardened ?
He/She can molt inside its burrow or outside. Just let him/her deal with it nothing for you to worry about. It will accept food when ready

3) I understand we have to leave him alone at this point, does this mean we can't move or touch his terrarium at all ? and what about movement in the surrounding area ?
Fairly certain you can move around the area as I've taken photos of mine molting, just don't bump the tank around while its molting and so on. Just let it be for now.

If it stays burrowed for long (+- a month) then check its burrow but chances are if the conditions are good ect your Teee will be fine.
Neil.

1) Unless you can see a bald area on the abdomen to see what's under the skin having gone black (which would mean the moult is imminent within a week or two), judging how long it could take from the time the T stops eating is much harder.
2) Not likely to come out of the burrow to moult but you never can tell.
3) I have never been all that careful with the terrarium, unless it's literally during that actual moulting process. I wouldn't worry too much about bothering it during pre-moult.

I have a b.albopilosum same size just molted about 2 weeks ago. :happy:

He ate a cricket 4 days before the molt so as Taki said I'm not sure that the most reliable indicator, go with the darkened bald spot on the abdomen, which of course could be problematic if you don't see the spider.

If the little guy is in his burrow and staying there I vote he will stay there throughout the process.

As far as not disturbing the T I think you're ok as long as you don't go poking about or moving him during the actual process you'll be fine. I'm a bit of a curious keeper, not intrusive but constantly investigating and besides a recent issue with a b.klaasi where I was a little over anxious to assist I've not had problems.

Just by the way, said b.klaasi is happy as ever and eating like a monster!