im really worried, looked in on my spider a moment ago and she is motionless on her back, i gently nudged her and she is still alive as she wriggled, any ideas please? tom

hmm? i really don't have any idea about spiders.. scary... maybe you should try consult your pet to a vet...

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If the spider is on its back then its most likely moulting. Spiders don't die on their backs, they die upright with their legs curled right underneath them. Leave her be and don't disturb her, she'll moult and come upright by herself.

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didn't no spiders moulted! *shudders*

thanks patsy, i was worried coz she wasn't moving about, she is fine now she has moulted, how often is she likely to do this?, she is about 6 months old now

ps... should i remove the old skin? its still inside her burrow at the mo, can just see it inside

Is the spider still in the burrow with her old skin? If she is then leave it, she will probably chuck it out herself. As for how often she will moult depends on what size and species she is I think. If she is walking about outside the burrow after a few days then I would think its ok to remove the old skin then. She will need to harden up and pump herself up a bit too and she will look bigger then. Also don't feed her for about a week as her fangs will still be soft. My b.smithi moulted yesterday but he is still very tiny and didnt make a burrow so I was able to get the skin out this morning. How big is your smithi? B.smithis are very slow growing but will moult about every couple of months when really tiny.

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she is about 2 inches, i dont ever see her outside of her burrow, only the tips of her feet at the entrance at night, think she's shy!

Here's a pic of my little B.smithi after he moulted the other day. Mine is still really small.

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Proud owner of
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5 cockatiels
12 budgies
33 tarantulas
2 goldfish

mine has filled out loads now since she moulted, her colours are really beginning to show!