Accepted Answer

Thank you for getting back to me. A normal molt shouldn't take more than a few hours, so something has definitely gone wrong. Molting is very hard on tarantulas, and more of them die while attempting to molt than at any other time. Lack of humidity is one of the most common causes of problems. Perhaps during your tarantula's other molts, there just happened to be more humidity in the cage. You can increase humidity by keeping a large, shallow water bowl in the enclosure and by misting daily. I would mist now. Don't soak the substrate or the tarantula, but just gently mist the cage. For more on a normal molt:

http://www.eightlegs.org/general/molt.html

If the temperature in your home is cooler than 70*F, you may want to consider a low wattage bulb at the proper height over the cage to maintain the temperature in the correct range of 70 to 72*F. You probably already have that.

Sometimes, too, a molt just goes wrong for no apparent reason, and that could be the case here. Regardless, it won't hurt to mist the cage.

At this point, I'm afraid your tarantula is in a great deal of distress. Unfortunately, we don't have tarantula vets, so the above steps are all you can do. There is no other way to help her. If you have more questions, just let me know by clicking on REPLY. I hope she'll be able to finish her molt and will reach a full recovery.

Anna

Expert:	Anna
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	6/21/2009

Pet Expert/Biologist

40 yrs.: herps, pocket pets, rabbits, poultry, dogs, horses. Biology degree. Volunteer vet assistant