About my t this time

[SpiderQueenLizzy]

Hello out there!
I just need to know, do tarantulas get really really defensive if they are dying? Sounds like a stupid question but my t (a Costa Rican zebra blue) just moulted yesterday. I looked in her cage and saw she was in what looked like a death curl. So I freaked out and tried to see if she would move and she did. Only it wasn't a weak, staggering motion, it was quick and she immediately went into a defensive position. I was still worried so I wet down her cage, gave her plenty of water and moved the cage to a warmer climate by placing a sort of heating pad under her cage. Left her alone for a while and she seemed to get better. But after several hours I came back to check on her and I found her in the same position again. I tried to see if she would move and she did. Reacted the same way before only more aggressive. I thought the heating pad was too hot so I moved her cage back into my room, (which is room temperature). She still has plenty of water but now I am just worried for her. Her moult was flawless, a little juicer than normal but completed and nothing missing. I understand she could be dehydrated, but she has plenty of water. Am I over reacting? Or is she in real danger? Love some feedback.

 

[Vanessa]

Please stop using the heating pad. Room temperature is fine and the only thing that will do is dehydrate her when she is already dehydrated.
Could you please provide a photo of the setup and the tarantula in what you're referring to as a death curl?

 

[SonsofArachne]

And stop annoying her. If there is something wrong, pestering her won't help. But without seeing her I'm guessing what she is doing is what's known as "Tarantula Yoga". This a cute term for the odd poses, including curling their legs, that all T's do after molting. It's perfectly normal and will go on for several days, a week even.

 

[Thekla]

Stop bothering her! Right after a moult they can be seen in the weirdest positions, disturbing her all the time might be harmful while she's still hardening up.

 

[Teal]

just moulted yesterday

Translation: DO NOT DISTURB. Freshly molted Ts lay on their backs with all legs curled in, stretch in odd ways, etc. Everything you did so soon after a molt was POTENTIALLY HARMFUL.