Even though this will stay a mostly South African debate, it would be a nice surprise if Stan or The Duke with their vast experience could chime in here.

Apart of some very valid points made, my intuitive feel would suggest maturing male balfouri as the main reason for the findings of them leaving their burrows. And some getting caught and eaten?

I'm convinced that rehousing a T' causes it some serious stress (the reason why I hardly ever do it to them). This stress should not be excluded as a reason for a moult as a reaction soon after.

Two very valid arguments thus far. Duke et al suggesting that male spiders moult and go wondering, hence the exuviae found in vacated burrows, and Marula suggesting stress. I argue that stress will most certainly not induce egg laying, so why does a good new home SOMETIMES produce an egg case and (seemingly more so) a moult? I also find it difficult to comprehend why stress would trigger the end of an instar? Arbeiten Sie bitte aus?

I can only say what i saw with T,s in captivity.

Cant compete with all the other answers, to technical for me, but saw this with 3 of my T's, happened 3 times with one of them. I kept all 3 species in dryer than normal enclosures, when I relocate the new enclosure has wet substrate, I then allow it to dry for a week or 2 or till the T starts to borrow, Then I close the enclosure with the type of lid I use to help me control the humidity. So I always thought that the extra moisture in a new enclosure played an role in speeding up the molting process. It normally happened within 1 week after relocation.

Would like to see the final answer on this question.

Scarab wrote:
Hendrijs

Before moulting the old burrow might be to crapped

I have never noticed a spider crap inside their burrow, so if it's to crapped, I don't blame them for moving... :laugh: :laugh: Never mind, I gotcha... still freaken funny...

LOL Scarab I corrected the spelling mistake.

Jaco

So I always thought that the extra moisture in a new enclosure played an role in speeding up the molting process.

Don't write that off as a good reason. It might contribute to some extent.

So what is the difference between getting a spider into condition for a moult and getting her ready to drop an egg case?