Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2024   |   POSTED BY MICAH GARTMAN

As you would expect, I spent a great deal of time learning about tarantulas before adopting Sydney Sue. The last thing I wanted to do was naively invite a fiery demon into our house. Sydney Sue checked all the right boxes: he's pretty, doesn't bite and isn't a picky eater. Perfecto!

In the 10 years he's been with us, he has consistently demonstrated both his casual attitude and predictable responses to our presence. He does have his quirks—I'm absolutely convinced he thinks he's an air plant. Nonetheless, what has caught me off guard is his glacial rate of physical growth. I never imagined that I may need to make arrangements for a caretaker in the event Sydney Sue outlives me. Any volunteers?

Grammostola pulchripes is noted as being a "slow growing" species. But what exactly does that mean? Being a first-time tarantula keeper I didn't have a point of reference based on previous experience. That is until now.

Finally, after 1,515 days, I am ecstatic to announce that Sydney Sue has molted! His previous molt was on June 7, 2020 making it more than four years between exuviations!

But wait—there's more! The event was made even more spectacular when Sydney Sue shed his skin wrong side up. Tarantulas typically roll onto their backs before they wiggle out of their old exoskeleton. But not Sydney Sue—he did it backwards! We realized what was happening just in time to capture the event on video. Here is a time-lapse video of the molt:

Editor's note: This video depicts a very intimate moment of nature that, quite frankly, looks like space aliens. Viewer discretion is advised.