Q&A for How to Clean a Tarantula's Habitat

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How do I know if my tarantula is molting?

Brandon Runyon
Entomologist
Brandon Runyon is a board-certified Entomologist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has over 18 years of experience as a Pest Control professional, and is the Technical Director of Swat Pest Management. Swat Pest Management serves areas throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, where they provide safe, cost-effective solutions for client’s pest control needs. He authored Bugged by Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control, a user-friendly guide to commercial pest control practices in hotels, restaurants, apartments, and offices. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Entomology, and received a MS in Entomology from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also received an MBA from Western Governors University.

Brandon Runyon

Entomologist

Expert Answer

To know if your tarantula is molting, you need to observe specific signs and behaviors that distinguish it from being dead. Many new tarantula owners mistakenly think their pet has died when it is actually in the molting process, as tarantulas typically flip onto their backs during this time. This position is natural and necessary for shedding their exoskeleton. In contrast, a dead tarantula will generally be found with its legs curled underneath its body due to the loss of hydraulic pressure that controls their leg movements. When tarantulas molt, they lie on their backs with their legs in the air, appear motionless, and are unresponsive. This molting process, known as ecdysis, can take several hours and involves the tarantula shedding its old exoskeleton to grow.

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Would I also spray some water to a new bedding?

Community Answer

Very little would be good. Do not wet the entire environment. Spiders need both wet and dry areas to be happy and healthy.

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When is the right time to change the tarantula's enclosure bedding?

Bridget Craghill

Community Answer

Change it when it looks dirty or from 6 months to a year. It is really up to you, depending on how often you spot clean and things like that.

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Would a tarantula be able to escape a plastic container if it has a lid that snaps on? Like the ones people keep hermit crabs in?

Community Answer

No, unless there is a hole in the container. It wouldn't be able to open something from the inside.

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Is soap toxic to a tarantula?

Isaac Dormio (STUDENT)

Community Answer

Yes! Soap contains chemicals that are toxic to your tarantula. The chemicals could get on the prey and harm your 8 legged pet.

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We have a Chilean Rose who periodically takes the webbing on the ground and balls it up. Not sure if we should remove it or leave it alone and just let her “redecorate” on her own. Thoughts?

Isaac Dormio (STUDENT)

Community Answer

In order for a spider to be happy it wants its own habitat, let your spider be a spider.

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Question

Do I need bedding and a water bowl with the spider when it is in a separate container for 25 hours?

Isaac Dormio (STUDENT)

Community Answer

Put the water dish into the container where you are holding your spider so it can still drink.

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What do I do if it's full of webbing?

Isaac Dormio (STUDENT)

Community Answer

If you have a more heavy webbing species, try to carefully dig through the web with wooden or silicone tongs, in case your spider try to bite. But do not use metal tongs because it could hurt the spider's fangs.

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