Mexican redknee tarantula (Brachypelma smithi) juvenile showing adult-type coloration. Click image to enlarge.
In March I was surprised that all eight tarantulas molted within a 17 day period.
The tarantulas [five Mexican redknees (Brachypelma smithi), two Honduran curly hairs (Brachypelma albopilosum), and one red phase Chilean rose (Grammostola rosea)] ranged in age from six months to 1½ years at the time. They had been in my possession for periods ranging from several days to six months.
The second round of molting began with the red phase Chilean rose (Grammostola rosea) on May 28. Five weeks later, all eight tarantulas molted for the second time.
Lots of physical changes this time around. The two juvenile Mexican redknees (molt dates June 11 and June 14) have grown considerably and now clearly show adult coloration (see top image).
The small curly hair tarantula’s molt is documented in the June 18 entry, while the large Honduran curly hair juvenile (molt date June 29) has increased significantly.
The three redknee tarantula spiderlings (molt dates July 1 and July 2) have grown considerably, transitioning from distinctly marked spiderlings to a very muted juvenile coloration pattern.
The freshly molted rightmost individual shows subtle adult coloration while its leftmost sibling, who molted several hours after being photographed, shows the distinctive markings of the previous stage. Click/double click image to enlarge.
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