- Joined
- Jan 25, 2008
- Messages
- 1,423
This is the first time in nearly 10+ years in the hobby that I've had this happen, and I'm troubled enough to post about it.
I recently lost my B.smithi, who I'm fairly certain was a male, and approximately 5-7 years old. (While I'm not well versed in sexing, I've had several members take a look at the exuvium. The consensus was male.)
He was acting sluggish, but occasionally eating and moving around the terrarium. Temperature (75-80 F), humidity (low) was well within acceptable range for a B.smithi, and he had been in a regular diet of one cricket per week. At the time of death, there was no signs of tibial spurs, nor palpal bulbs. Due to his age, I'm puzzled by the lack of these, followed by a death.There was no "death curl", no mites, ideal conditions, water bowl changed. Utter confusion.
I just literally don't get it. Any experienced keepers deal with confusing deaths?
I recently lost my B.smithi, who I'm fairly certain was a male, and approximately 5-7 years old. (While I'm not well versed in sexing, I've had several members take a look at the exuvium. The consensus was male.)
He was acting sluggish, but occasionally eating and moving around the terrarium. Temperature (75-80 F), humidity (low) was well within acceptable range for a B.smithi, and he had been in a regular diet of one cricket per week. At the time of death, there was no signs of tibial spurs, nor palpal bulbs. Due to his age, I'm puzzled by the lack of these, followed by a death.There was no "death curl", no mites, ideal conditions, water bowl changed. Utter confusion.
I just literally don't get it. Any experienced keepers deal with confusing deaths?