Exotic pets are increasingly found in our homes. It is already difficult to surprise anyone with a bright bird or a brisk lizard. Another thing is a tarantula spider. Here is a pet so pet! Many have a sinking heart at one glance at the “outlandish little animal”. But even such a quiet and unpretentious pet requires courage and some knowledge and skills from the owner. Owners should not only understand the behavior and nutrition of furry pets, but also understand how the spider molts and passes in order to provide him with the most comfortable conditions for this period.
Why molting is needed
The body of the tarantula does not have the internal skeleton that is familiar to us. It is covered with an exoskeleton that protects it from external influences. To the external skeleton, which includes chitin and sclerotin, internal organs and muscle tissues are attached. The skeleton itself is an alternation of hard and soft parts with tactile hairs. The outer shell of the exoskeleton was called a cuticle. The presence of the shell facilitates the life of the arthropod, but the rigid structure does not allow the arachnid to increase its size. This means that at some point, the tarantula must drop its hard shell in order to continue to grow. By the way, the shell discarded during molting is called exuvium.
General Shedding Information
The tarantula spider molt is divided into 4 stages, which go one into another:
- predlinka stage;
- direct molting;
- post-milestone stage;
- spacing.
From these stages the whole life of a spider is made up. The most noticeable for others is the molting process, but the longest in the life of the tarantula is the inter-lap stage.
Predlinka
In Latin, this stage of molting is called proecdysis. The process may take 2-3 weeks. At this time, a new exoskeleton forms under the old membrane.
Predlinka is activated by complex hormonal processes that have not yet been sufficiently studied.
At the predling stage, the behavior of the tarantula changes dramatically. He stops eating (does not even respond to his favorite treats). The outer cover becomes dull. If the tarantula spider is light in color, then it becomes much darker (this is especially noticeable in the abdomen). The spider hides and freezes, its mobility is greatly reduced.
To molt the spider successfully, he weaves a spider web rug or seals a web with the entrance to a hole (nest).
Molting
When the molting stage begins, the tarantula spider flips onto its back. Between the old hard and the new soft exoskeleton, exuvial fluid begins to stand out. This is a kind of lubricant designed to soften the old shell a little.
Shedding of a tarantula spider, the photo of which is often posted on the net by the hosts, begins with the creation of excessive pressure inside the shell. The process is poorly understood, as it happens to the end - not established. The old skeleton bursts, and the spider begins to release the cephalothorax. Following the shell bursts on the abdomen.
Further, molting of the spider continues with a gradual release of appendages. These are paws, pedipalps, chelicerae. For the tarantula, this is the most difficult moment, if it is not possible to release the appendage, the spider is forced to discard it. The dropping of the old exoskeleton is accompanied by wave-like contractions of the muscles of the back of the body.
Postlink
The Latin name for the stage is postecdysis. The direct molt of the spider seems to be over. But the post-milestone stage is very dangerous for the animal. The soft shell of the new exoskeleton is not able to protect its owner. Spider is very easy to injure. At first, the tarantula spider continues to lie on its back, tucking its limbs. Having rested, the animal turns on its stomach and shrinks into a lump. The discarded exuvium is lying nearby. Then the spider extends and begins to move its legs. This helps restore motor activity and stretch the soft exoskeleton. For several days, the tarantula does not require food. His chelicera are not able to chop feed. In fact, at this stage it could be considered that the molting of the tarantula spider has ended. How long will the pet abstain from food? It depends on how quickly the new hardens. Food can be planted when the spider begins to actively run around its home.
Interlocation stage
The transition to this stage occurs as soon as the spider resumes activity. The pet returns to the usual rhythm of life. He eats well, gains weight lost during forced abstinence.
It is very interesting to observe how the molting of a tarantula spider passes. How often this will happen depends on the age of the arthropod and the conditions of its maintenance. Note that the age of the tarantula is determined not by years, but by the number of molts. The entry L3, for example, indicates that the spider has survived 3 molts. Young individuals molt once every 3-4 weeks. More adults - once every 2-3 months. As soon as the male reaches puberty, he stops molting. The last molt of a male is usually called definitive, which means “final”. But mature females do not stop molting. They have to change a close exoskeleton 1-2 times every year.
