quick molting question

[jay76]

I got to looking at Penelope (my rose hair) when she was climbing one of the hanging plants. I looked at her joints and the undersides are showing pale areas, i assume she's getting ready for a molt... is there any special precautions I should take? Haven't gone through a molt with her yet...

Thanks!

[arachnomania]

No, that is not a pre-molt sign. It is quit normal. Pre-molt sign would be:
*trouble climbing glass (terrestrial species).
*black hairless spot on abdomen. The black is actually the hair underneat showing through the bald spot. That bald spot will start off as being flesh colored and will turn black with time.
*refuse food, anywhere from 1 day if it's a s'ling to 1 year if it's an adult.
*Will start making a web on the ground as to lie in it while sheding. I've even noticed species line their web with urticating hairs as to repell animals from disturbing their vulnerable state.
***Please note that these are only signs and by no mean does all tarantulas have these signs. For example: Rosey's never flick hairs as to cause a bald spot. There might be a rare case. Anyways, enough with that. These are just examples as I've had tarantulas shed with no signs AT ALL.

[jay76]

She sure hasn't refused food, so maybe it's not a shed.... thanks