Why is my tarantula stretching?

They are getting used to their new bodies (they just went through spider puberty lol) and will be stretching out in weird positions to get used to their new long legs. My tarantulas love to do spider yoga and stretching is a part of their recovery.

What does it mean when a tarantula lays flat?

Tarantulas may go months without food before a molt. When the tarantula turns over and lies flat on his back, this means the molt is imminent. During the molt the spider pushes his body through the old exoskeleton and then emerges from underneath.

Do tarantulas look dead when they molt?

Check what position your tarantula is in. During a molt, a tarantula lays up-side down on her back or on her side to get out of the old skin easier. If your tarantula is on her stomach and has curled her legs tightly inwards, then she may be dead or dying.

How can I make my tarantula less stressed?

SHIPPING SHOCK

Put the tarantula in its cage.
Place the cage in a dimly lit, quiet part of your home.
Give it a small cave or shelter to hide in.
Give it a water dish with the obligatory rock.
DON’T FEED IT!
GO AWAY!
LEAVE IT ALONE!
GET LOST!

What do tarantulas do with their molt?

During the molting process, tarantulas contract their abdomens, which pushes fluid into the upper body, or cephalothorax. The fluid increases the pressure already on the strained exoskeleton, allowing the tarantula to break through its weak spots.

What is preening in tarantula?

Preening is common among arachnids and consists of cleaning the legs and palps by passing them through the chelicerae. In some species protection and escape from predatory enemies is made possible by the ability of a seized limb to detach from the body.

How do I know if my tarantula is dying?

Signs include a shriveled abdomen and an inability to coordinate limbs or lift the body off the ground. This is serious for a tarantula and they can die in a few days if you’re not careful.

How does a dead tarantula look?

When most tarantulas die, they don’t flop onto their backs as many believe (this is actually a MOLT!), or just stop what they are doing and die in a normal legs spread position. In the majority of instances, their legs curl beneath them in a very unmistakable position, one that hobbyists refer to as a “death curl”.

Do tarantulas play dead?

Some spiders can even appear to be dead or playing dead even by a keen hobbyist who knows them well. For example, people who keep tarantulas know that dehydration can cause the hydraulic system to become faulty, and this, in turn, can create a pose that seems like death or playing dead when it is not either.

How do you calm a tarantula?

The first thing to do is to announce your presence to the tarantula. There’s nothing better at scaring and stressing a tarantula than suddenly ripping the roof off and poking around. How’d you react if your roof was ripped away? Tap the enclosure gently, or handle it (the enclosure!), moving it around.

How can I make my tarantula happy?

Your tarantula will be happiest living in a 10-gallon terrarium or aquarium. (More on that below.) Your spider will also need an area to hide in, such as a half-log, as well as branches, rocks and leaves to make your tarantula feel more at home.