I've just walked in my bedroom...

[Benner]

...and found my tarantula looking like this;





No she's not dead (I hope) but it's her time for a molt, and that means she gets bigger  .  The wife is not pleased. 

If I can, I'll try and get some mid-molt pics but it is difficult as it can happen at any time.

[Mr. Whippy]

How long do they typically live?

[Benner]

How long do they typically live?

Some go 20+ years.  Mine is about 11 now.

[Gareth]

The wife is not pleased. 

It's not a bird eating Tarantula is it? 

[Benner]

The wife is not pleased. 

It's not a bird eating Tarantula is it? 

I wish! 

She is actually a Chilean Rose.

[ducktapehero]

Spiders give me the heebie jeebies but cool pics.

[cliosguy]

Spiders give me the heebie jeebies but cool pics.

+1

[MultiMat]

I think I would prefer budgies as a pet 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Can you train spiders to sic intruders

[Benner]

Well after laying there all day and not moving, she is finally moving around. Hopefully not long now.

[Pacu]

I've kept snakes as pets for years when i was a kid....even kept a couple of "hot" snakes in my time....but i don't do spiders. I will freak out

I had a wolf spider jump on me when i was in scouts. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well after laying there all day and not moving, she is finally moving around. Hopefully not long now.

Are we talking about the Spider still, or the missus

[max6166]

That's one good looking spider!  

What's his/her name?

[Benner]

That's one good looking spider!  

What's his/her name?

I call her Manda after my tattooist. 

Had her over 5 years now.

[jzmtl]

I don't think anything that doesn't eat you only because you are too big to eat should be count as pet. 

[Benner]

I don't think anything that doesn't eat you only because you are too big to eat should be count as pet. 

Yeah she can be a bit aggressive. 

[Mr. Whippy]

I don't think anything that doesn't eat you only because you are too big to eat should be count as pet. 

That would include cats, btw...

[PyroJames]

Wait a minute Benner, your wife lets you keep a tarantula IN THE BEDROOM?

[Benner]

Wait a minute Benner, your wife lets you keep a tarantula IN THE BEDROOM?

On top of a great big red box full of tools as well.



 

[Benner]

Mid way now.  It's difficult to see, but she is working her way out;

[Benner]

Still getting there...

[jzmtl]

I don't think anything that doesn't eat you only because you are too big to eat should be count as pet. 

That would include cats, btw...

I believe cats feel companionship, at least from taking a vacationing neighbor's cat in for a month.

[ducktapehero]

I don't think anything that doesn't eat you only because you are too big to eat should be count as pet. 

I disagree a bit, I like cats and the big ones will eat you.

[Benner]

And she's out...





And to get the skin out, out come's the Swisschamp;



Should make a great SAKtivity. 

[Nikos]

On top of a great big red box full of tools as well.

Speaking of which, here's one for the, let's say, avid collector...

[PyroJames]

I've never owned a tarantula before (and I don't plan to  ) so here's a weird question:  How many times does Manda molt and what do you do with the "shell"?

[Benner]

I've never owned a tarantula before (and I don't plan to  ) so here's a weird question:  How many times does Manda molt and what do you do with the "shell"?

They molt a lot when they are young and growing, but an adult like her will shed every 1-2 years.  Saying that though, that is only the second time mine has done it.

I will keep them in plastic containers.  They stay intact quite well but they are very fragile.

[cliosguy]

why?

[bren10man]

I caught one in California when I was 15 on my cousin's ranch.  I brought it home to Alabama in a shoe box on the plane (the look on the dude's face that sat next to me and my now deceased brother after we told him what was in the cargo area above us was priceless!!).  It was brown in color, etc.  We had it in an old aquarium with a mesh cover for a lid. The thing spun and lined the bottom with silk.  Then, after two weeks, acted dead.  So, I froze it with the intent of preserving it (my mom threw it away months later out in the field behind our house)...it appears it was fixing to do as described in this thread.  Wished we had the 'net back then!!!

[Benner]

Last pic, honest! 

Here's the skin to give you an idea of size;