Keeper guide

Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater Moulting Guide — Lasiodora parahybana

Moulting is a normal part of growth for Lasiodora parahybana. Before a moult, Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeaters may stop eating, spend more time hidden, increase webbing or show visible changes to the abdomen.

At a glance

Quick facts

World
New World
Origin
Northeastern Brazil
Lifestyle
Terrestrial
UK hobby rarity
Common
Maximum size
Often 20–25 cm; very large individuals can approach 28 cm (8–11 in)
Growth rate
Fast
Male lifespan
Around 5 years
Female lifespan
Often up to about 15 years
Temperament
Usually bold and food-driven; can be skittish and readily use urticating hairs
Venom
Venomous, but bites are not generally regarded as medically significant; urticating hairs can be severe irritants
Temperature
21–26°C
Moisture / humidity
Water dish plus a modest moisture gradient; younger animals benefit from slightly more dependable substrate moisture
CITES
Not CITES-listed

Recognising premoult

Food refusal is one common premoult sign in Lasiodora parahybana, especially when it appears alongside heavier webbing, retreat closure or a darker exposed abdomen. Not every Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater shows every sign.

Once premoult looks likely, stop offering live prey and keep fresh water available. Do not keep testing Lasiodora parahybana's appetite every day.

Preparing the enclosure

Leave the main retreat intact for Lasiodora parahybana. Remove loose feeders, check the water dish and avoid unnecessary rehousing or major enclosure work while the spider is preparing to moult.

Stable temperature and normal moisture are more useful than sudden changes. Keep Lasiodora parahybana within its normal range of 21–26°C and follow the usual moisture pattern for the species.

During the moult

A Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater may moult on its back, side or in another position that looks unusual to a new keeper. Do not flip the spider over or touch it simply because the posture looks alarming.

Give Lasiodora parahybana space. Intervention during a normal moult can cause more harm than leaving the spider alone, so watch from outside the enclosure unless there is a clear, specific emergency.

After the moult

After Lasiodora parahybana emerges, the new exoskeleton and fangs are soft. Keep water available and wait for the spider to harden before offering food.

Small Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeaters harden sooner than large adults. Instead of using one fixed number of days for every spider, wait until movement looks normal and the fangs have darkened.

Using the exuvia

A well-preserved moult from Lasiodora parahybana can be useful for confirming sex and keeping growth records. Remove it only when doing so will not disturb the spider.

Date the exuvia if you keep records for a Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater. Over time, moult dates provide a much clearer picture of growth than trying to estimate age from size alone.

When a delay is normal

Premoult can last much longer in a large Lasiodora parahybana than in a tiny sling. A period of hiding and fasting is not automatically a failed moult or an emergency.

Keep the enclosure stable and watch for actual problems rather than the passage of time alone. If a Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater is secure, has water and is behaving like a premoult spider, patience is usually the right response.