Aspen Moulted?

[Aspen0122]

I checked on Aspen this morning and saw that she moulted... but she's full grown? First time spider owner here, do spiders moult after they are full-grown??

[Aspen0122]

I fed her last night and noticed that she was moving a bit slow too. I also fed Archie the same thing, but smaller amount because he is a younger spider, but he was doing fine... what's going on??? I am going to add some more lighting to the area because that might be causing her to be lethargic like that, I don't know. I'm trying everything.

[Bogertophis]

I checked on Aspen this morning and saw that she moulted... but she's full grown? First time spider owner here, do spiders moult after they are full-grown??

Yes they do. (Just like with snakes- they do so less frequently since their growth has slowed down.)

[Bogertophis]

I fed her last night and noticed that she was moving a bit slow too. I also fed Archie the same thing, but smaller amount because he is a younger spider, but he was doing fine... what's going on??? I am going to add some more lighting to the area because that might be causing her to be lethargic like that, I don't know. I'm trying everything.

Did you check to make sure she molted completely? If there's any remaining that is stuck on her, that could impair her movement. Did she have adequate humidity? I don't know that lighting would have anything to do with it-

Just for clarity, remind me (us), what exactly is Aspen?

[Aspen0122]

Did you check to make sure she molted completely? If there's any remaining that is stuck on her, that could impair her movement. Did she have adequate humidity? I don't know that lighting would have anything to do with it-

Before I got her, I read that they need at least 12 hours of adequate lighting and lately, my room hasn't been getting a lot of sunlight, so I purchased some LEDs for her. I also spritz her enclosure with water and make sure that it's nice and humid throughout the day. It stays about 85 degrees in her enclosure throughout the day. She looks like she completely moulted, nothing seems to be stuck on her.

Also, Aspen is a tan jumping spider. Archie is a bold jumping spider.

[Malum Argenteum]

I fed her last night and noticed that she was moving a bit slow too. I also fed Archie the same thing, but smaller amount because he is a younger spider, but he was doing fine... what's going on??? I am going to add some more lighting to the area because that might be causing her to be lethargic like that, I don't know. I'm trying everything.

I think it is really cool that people share non-herp animals here, but I do think that serious health questions are best addressed in a online community centered on the animal group at issue. Having a critical mass of users who are knowledgeable about a topic is the only reliable way to get comprehensive and confirmed recommendations.

[Aspen0122]

I think it is really cool that people share non-herp animals here, but I do think that serious health questions are best addressed in a online community centered on the animal group at issue. Having a critical mass of users who are knowledgeable about a topic is the only reliable way to get comprehensive and confirmed recommendations.

Thanks, I just joined a spider forum.

[YungRasputin]

lighting, as in enclosure lighting, isn’t important or necessary with arachnids - it is important that they have mild ambient lighting to maintain a proper day/night cycle but they’re nocturnal/photophobia creatures so - this can accomplished via overhead lighting or sunlight peaking through the blinds

spiders will continue to molt throughout their lifetimes but much like snakes this will decrease in frequency as they age

also, spiders/tarantulas/arachnids, are primarily stationary creatures and will typically stay in their den for hours at a time - even at night - at night, occasionally they might roam and explore but 95% of the time they’ll be in a stationary position in their den or some other designated safe spot within the enclosure (this is particularly true if they’re a New World species of tarantula of whom are commonly referred to as “pet rocks”)

i don’t think it’s anything to worry about