10/21/2022
Tarantula on its back? Not moving?
Not to worry, it’s molting!
Arachnids are known to have exoskeletons, and as they grow, their exoskeleton becomes too small and they need more room.
Tarantulas in particular will create what’s called a “molt mat” that looks like a wet blanket that they will flip over onto and this starts the molting process.
Tarantulas will normally stay on their back until this molting process is complete.
They will pulse and wiggle their way out of the exoskeleton .
This process can take as little as 30 minutes to more than 12 hours so don’t freak out if it’s been a couple of hours and it doesn’t look like much has been done.
Once they are done, the tarantula will flip back over to start the hardening process of their new exoskeleton.
Hardening can take 2 to 3 days in slings, and 7 to 10 days in juveniles and adults.
It is very, very important that you do not disturb or feed your tarantula during this process of molting or hardening .
The number one thing to never ever forget, is to never disturb the molting process. If possible, don’t bump or even move the enclosure. Any disturbance at all can result in a bad molt, or even death.
Don’t remove the molt right away as any liquid that is left in the malt will be drunk by the tarantula to help them rehydrate.

Adding a video found in a group to show this process.
