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Mark Krauss | all galleries >> Photo of the Day >> pad_2009 > 2009-11-30
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30-NOV-2009 Mark A. Krauss

2009-11-30

From Wikipedia -
Like other spiders, tarantulas have to shed their exoskeleton periodically in order to grow, a process called moulting. A young tarantula may do this several times a year as a part of the maturation process, while full grown specimens will only moult once a year or less, or sooner in order to replace lost limbs or lost urticating hairs. A tarantula is obviously going to moult (or "shed", as some call it) when the exoskeleton takes on a darker shade. If a tarantula previously used its urticating hairs, the bald patch will turn from a peach color to deep blue.

Tarantulas may live for years—most species taking 2 to 5 years to reach adulthood, but some species may take up to 10 years to reach full maturity. Upon reaching adulthood, males typically have but a 1 to 1.5 year period left to live and will immediately go in search of a female with which to mate. Male tarantulas rarely moult again once they reach adulthood. The oldest spider, according to Guinness World Records, lived to be 49 years old.

Nikon D3 ,Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S
1/60s f/4.0 at 62.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Glyn Curtis05-Feb-2011 12:13
I have a Grammostola Pulchra (Brazilian Black) which has just shed and from this I can confirm she is a girl...which is great because she will live much longer than males.
http://www.pbase.com/grimbo/wildlife
Paul Milholland06-Dec-2009 04:28
Interesting, and a little creepy. . . .
fotabug02-Dec-2009 14:24
Does this belong to Kasi?
Dirck Brinckerhoff02-Dec-2009 05:12
Not what I was expecting! The thing must look really creepy just after it shrugs itself out of its armor.
Steve Thuman02-Dec-2009 03:28
It's amazing they could get out of those legs and leave it so intact and well posed. Fine job photographing it!
Deborah 01-Dec-2009 21:04
Truly amazing that they can shed their skin without it breaking up into several pieces.
Creative shot as always!
Barry Ailetcher01-Dec-2009 17:05
nice shot I found a place in LA that have them on the menu I am going down next week to try them
Ed Duverger01-Dec-2009 15:25
Getting to know them is maybe getting to accept them?Great shot.
Ruth Voorhis01-Dec-2009 14:09
Great shot of Mr. Creepy - love the shadows, the colors...
Ruth
Jack Hoying01-Dec-2009 11:48
The shadows make the shot.
Laura Milholland01-Dec-2009 07:10
A tremendous shot! The color and shadow, along with the super detail, make this a real winner, Mark.
Matt Farias 01-Dec-2009 06:45
Ugh!! I use to find these under my bed growing up. I found them a lot under the sidewalk in front of my house from the huge holes in the ground. How they manage to get into the house I don't know but it was creepy.
Guest 01-Dec-2009 06:00
Mark, that is quite amazing.
paplvr01-Dec-2009 05:49
Really? That is the whole thing with the spider gone? Amazing, like the background color. Linda S