If you have noticed your tarantula laying on its back, you might have questions on why it is doing it. In this post, you will learn why a tarantula is laying on its back, laying on its back but not molting, if tarantula is molting or dying, death curl after molt, what to do if tarantula is stuck in molt and more.
The main reasons for a tarantula to be laying on its back are molting and sometimes making sperm web (male tarantulas only). Another possible reason why a tarantula is laying on its back is because it’s stuck in its molt.
Reason 1. Molting (shedding)
Most tarantulas lay on their backs when they begin molting. Psychically, that could be helpful to them when they need to get out of the skin by pulling their legs down. It generally takes around 30 minutes-6 hours for a tarantula to finish molting, by which it should stop being on its back. Some tarantulas take a break during their molting process, too.
You can tell that your tarantula is approaching molt is when its abdomen looks darker in color, and sometimes swollen. Another sign of approaching molt include lack of appetite for days or even weeks before the actual molt. When the molt is approaching, your tarantula will also spin webs around itself.
If you see your tarantula molting while laying on its back, please do not touch it. Disturbing a molting tarantula can lead to stress in your pet and even to a lost leg during the process. Tarantulas often complete their molt and don’t need any help.
How do arboreal tarantulas molt? Arboreal tarantula is not likely to molt on the ground. Instead, it is very likely to create a web hammock/cradle or molt inside of its retreat (hiding spots).
Some tarantulas do not turn on their back to molt. They stay in an upright position or even on their side, and molt this way instead. This however, might increase chances of problems during a molt.
Reason 2. Making a sperm web
If you see your tarantula on its back but not molting, it might also be making a sperm web. Male tarantulas start developing sexual characteristics a few molts before the actual sexual maturity. As their sexual maturity approaches, you will see definite male sexual characteristics.
Once a tarantula reaches 1-3 years of age, it enters its sexually mature form after a molt. This will be a final molt for a male, and show not only its sexual, but also age maturity.
When making a sperm web, a male tarantula makes a web and gets under it in an upside down position. In this position, his genital pore is against the web, and he then releases several sperm drops on the web. You will then see your tarantula climb over the sperm web. When on top of the web, he will transfer sperm inside of each sperm bulb through small projections called emboli.
If you see your tarantula building a web and going on its back temporarily, you might be witnessing this process. Don’t bother your tarantula, as it’s natural for them to do it. Your tarantula is likely to destroy this web very quickly however.
Reason 3. Tarantula stuck in molt
While most tarantulas complete their molt without any assistance and are fine, some might experience more problems. Unfortunately, it can happen that a tarantula gets stuck in its own shed, and needs some help. If a molting tarantula cannot come out of its old exoskeleton fully, the new one will still start hardening as tarantula lays there. At this point, you might not be able to save a tarantula.
However, you need to be careful to understand whether your tarantula is actually stuck, or just taking a break. And also, you need to realize this as soon as possible. If you wait for too long, it might be too late for save your tarantula.
In general, a molt can take from 20-30 minutes to 6 hours and up to to 2-3 days, and that will mainly depend on a tarantula’s age. Longer the molt takes, more problems there are likely to be. Please note, that once a tarantula completes its molt, it will rest on its back for another few hours. And then, it will turn back to a normal upright position.
Do not touch your tarantula while it’s laying on its back, with legs stretched out, as molting can take up to 2-3 days in older tarantulas. However, it’s not likely to take more than a day in younger tarantulas, so watch out.
The main process of molting starts with a break in the old skin on top of the chelicerae (mouth parts) bases and sides of carapace (top round part of tarantula’s exoskeleton where its eyes are housed). After this initial break, it continues along the bases of legs.
From this point (initial break), your tarantula should be constantly making some progress getting out of its old exoskeleton, even if slowly. If your tarantula takes a break for up to a few hours, it’s fine. However, there should be some movement after that initial break.
If you have waited for a very long time (it should be less with younger tarantulas and longer with older ones), and nothing is happening, you might try to intervene at your own risk. Do not move your tarantula anywhere, though.
You can take an q-tip or artist’s brush, and dip it in a cup of water. Dropper can also be used, make sure to not get any water on your tarantula’s book lungs to prevent drowning (lungs are on the bottom of the abdomen).
Start applying water with a dropper and brushing it very gently with a brush towards the legs. After that, allow around 20 minutes to see if your tarantula’s exoskeleton has softened and whether it can continue on its own.
If nothing is happening, keep applying more water, and brushing softly between at the edges of the old exoskeleton. It’s better to hold your tarantula in one place with a soft tool, but during the whole process, be careful not to impale your tarantula, as it’s new skeleton is extremely soft. Be extremely patient during this process, and take breaks when necessary, as any rushed motion can be detrimental to your tarantula.
Please note that you should only do intervene if you can clearly see that something is wrong. Touching a tarantula during molting is very stressful for it, and might cause even more problems. Do not do anything if you only suspect a small problem, or if you are inexperienced and get easily stressed.
If you have an older tarantula, which generally has less energy, you might prepare a little for its molt. You can dab a little bit of glycerine with an artist’s brush on your tarantula’s joints before it starts molting (during premolt).
Another thing to look out for is if your tarantula has any injury to the leg with a scar tissue. This might cause a problem during the molting process. This is the case if this scar tissue goes through the old exoskeleton, not allowing separation of the new exoskeleton during a molt.
Is my tarantula molting or dying?
While tarantula is molting, it’s fully helpless. While most tarantulas complete their molt successfully, some have trouble coming out of their old exoskeleton and break legs or even die. Difficulties with molt increase as a tarantula grows older. Or, if it is spending more than day or two in molt due to lack of physical energy.
When molting, a tarantula has its legs stretched out, as it has trouble bending them (you might see legs moving though). That’s because during molt, there is no link between the old exoskeleton and muscles, as well as joints in the new exoskeleton and old. This makes it very hard for a tarantula to move its legs or do anything else.
If a tarantula is molting on its back, it will have its legs stretched out. While if a tarantula is dying, it will likely stay upright and have its legs folded under its body (death curl).
Is my tarantula doing a death curl after molting?
If your tarantula has its legs near its body after a molt, it is normal. Tarantulas try to hide themselves after a molt as their body is still soft and vulnerable. A death curl is different – a tarantula’s legs would be curled under its body. Make sure to provide your tarantula with water in a dish as they tend to be very thirsty after their molt.
Thank you for reading this post! If you would like to learn more about tarantula care, please see this page.