A strange smell?

[Blissxx23]

Hey guys
I'm having a bit of a problem with my adult female phormictopus cancerides..
Her enclosure has the most bizarre smell.
Its somewhat of a sweet, musky, pungent scent but very strong.
She's a rescue so I'm completely unsure of her past.. All I know is that she was treated poorly.
I've changed her enclosure three times in total to try identify the smell, it's certainly not the substrate, its not any of the items within the enclosure (waterbowl etc, yes I was that desperate to find out!).
I changed her enclosure last night.. And it is definitely coming from her.
I can't see any signs of nematodes.. So I'm unsure of what else the issue could be?
Thank you for reading!

 

[milky]

This is a very interesting and unusual situation. Unfortunately I really don't know what should you do.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

Well, that´s odd! Have your tarantula moulted while you had it?

 

[BorisTheSpider]

The only thing I can think is that she had been housed in a nasty moldy enclosure and her exoskeleton has absorbed that smell . I'm honestly not sure if that is even possible but it's an idea . It might be something that will dissipate over time or disappear with her next molt . Here's is a total shot in the dark but placing a carbon pad over the top of her enclosure might absorb some of the odor . They are sold in aquarium shops aren't expensive . I'm guessing though as the only stinky Ts that I've ever heard of are dead .

 

[Blissxx23]

Well, that´s odd! Have your tarantula moulted while you had it?

She hasn't no... She doesn't seem to be nearing a molt either so I'm clueless!

 

[Blissxx23]

The only thing I can think is that she had been housed in a nasty moldy enclosure and her exoskeleton has absorbed that smell . I'm honestly not sure if that is even possible but it's an idea . It might be something that will dissipate over time or disappear with her next molt . Here's is a total shot in the dark but placing a carbon pad over the top of her enclosure might absorb some of the odor . They are sold in aquarium shops aren't expensive . I'm guessing though as the only stinky Ts that I've ever heard of are dead .

Thank you for your reply
Her previous enclosure had little substrate and was kept with many many other T's in a kids playroom.. I know the owner was lazy so remains were not cleaned out..
She seems lively enough.. She's not weak or anything, very sturdy and strong.. So although I'm concerned for her health she doesn't seem unwell.
I'll look for one thank you so much

 

[Poec54]

I'd keep it warm and feed it heavily to trigger a molt.

 

[Blissxx23]

I'd keep it warm and feed it heavily to trigger a molt.

That's a great idea thank you

 

[TownesVanZandt]

She hasn't no... She doesn't seem to be nearing a molt either so I'm clueless!

The only explanation I can see is that the T has been exposed to something in her previous environment that causes her to smell. If she still smells after a moult I would be worried, but as it seems to be otherwise healthy I think a fresh moult will sort it out Please keep us updated when she has moulted!

 

[darkness975]

Throw her in the washing machine? (kidding)

I second what others have said in that her exoskeleton could have essentially "absorbed" some kind of nasty odor or even mold/mildew/who knows from being in a crummy environment. They are resilient and she toughened herself through it but not without any "battle scars" it would seem.
Also @Poec54 s response is smart to try and get her to molt faster.

Here's an idea that may or may not work; see if you can get really good pictures of all sides of her then compare them to pictures from other members here or Google or wherever. Your eyes might end up finding a "spot" or something that is the source. No guarantee with that but it is something I would try were I in your situation.

Also, if it were me I would separate her into a different room than the rest of your collection as a precaution.

 

[bryverine]

Is there anything white near her mouth? Just wondering.

 

[Blissxx23]

The only explanation I can see is that the T has been exposed to something in her previous environment that causes her to smell. If she still smells after a moult I would be worried, but as it seems to be otherwise healthy I think a fresh moult will sort it out Please keep us updated when she has moulted!

Thank you so much for your input
Well time to turn up the heat and start feeding a ton!
Such a pity its winter.
I will definitely post an update! Thanks

 

[Blissxx23]

Throw her in the washing machine? (kidding)

I second what others have said in that her exoskeleton could have essentially "absorbed" some kind of nasty odor or even mold/mildew/who knows from being in a crummy environment. They are resilient and she toughened herself through it but not without any "battle scars" it would seem.
Also @Poec54 s response is smart to try and get her to molt faster.

Here's an idea that may or may not work; see if you can get really good pictures of all sides of her then compare them to pictures from other members here or Google or wherever. Your eyes might end up finding a "spot" or something that is the source. No guarantee with that but it is something I would try were I in your situation.

Also, if it were me I would separate her into a different room than the rest of your collection as a precaution.

I think a nice hot bubble bath will do the trick!
May make her hate the world less too :/

Its a super interesting theory that her exoskeleton could've absorbed the smells etc.. But she has been through hell and back.. I know that much.
Hasn't been able to burrow since she was a juvi, less than half an inch of substrate her entire life

I'll definitely try get her to molt.. Here's hoping

That's a very good idea, luckily I have a few pictures of her already that I can use ! Thank you so much for the input!

 

[Blissxx23]

Is there anything white near her mouth? Just wondering.

Here she is when I got her.. Just about to brave a rehome, Fortunately for this situation, me being a nervous wreck about nematodes... this is the angle I see most!
She's strong and sturdy, eats fine, but its really just the smell that worries me

But ask Darkness975 suggested.. I'm going to separate her from everyone else

 

[Crone Returns]

Here she is when I got her.. Just about to brave a rehome, Fortunately for this situation, me being a nervous wreck about nematodes... this is the angle I see most!
She's strong and sturdy, eats fine, but its really just the smell that worries me

But ask Darkness975 suggested.. I'm going to separate her from everyone else

What a sweet looking little T. I think that you'll take great care of her and because of that, she'll get well.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

Typically odors are caused by micro organisms (bacteria, fungus, molds, etc.) feeding or by the decay of organic matter (which also includes the involvement of micro organisms). By what has been written so far, I don't see where the spider was completely isolated from its enclosure to determine if the smell is actually coming from the spider itself. My suggestion, keep the spider in a clean large tupperware container, or something similar, without substrate, water, or anything else for maybe a day. Don't forget the air holes and yes it will be fine without water, food, and moisture for a day. Does that container now smell with only the spider? If so, you can confirm that the smell is being produced by the spider. If not, you need a new enclosure, water dish, etc. etc. I think it is terrible advice to ramp up the heat and feed more because you haven't definitively found the source of the odor. If it is actually coming from something else other than the spider, more heat and prey remains might make it worse.

And another thing. The exocuticle of spiders don't act like baking soda. They don't absorb smells. Theoretically, if the smell is coming from the spider itself, there is probably some kind of bacteria living on it somewhere. If that is the case, then we will have to see about a plan of attack.

 

[Abyss]

Typically odors are caused by micro organisms (bacteria, fungus, molds, etc.) feeding or by the decay of organic matter (which also includes the involvement of micro organisms). By what has been written so far, I don't see where the spider was completely isolated from its enclosure to determine if the smell is actually coming from the spider itself. My suggestion, keep the spider in a clean large tupperware container, or something similar, without substrate, water, or anything else for maybe a day. Don't forget the air holes and yes it will be fine without water, food, and moisture for a day. Does that container now smell with only the spider? If so, you can confirm that the smell is being produced by the spider. If not, you need a new enclosure, water dish, etc. etc. I think it is terrible advice to ramp up the heat and feed more because you haven't definitively found the source of the odor. If it is actually coming from something else other than the spider, more heat and prey remains might make it worse.

And another thing. The exocuticle of spiders don't act like baking soda. They don't absorb smells. Theoretically, if the smell is coming from the spider itself, there is probably some kind of bacteria living on it somewhere. If that is the case, then we will have to see about a plan of attack.

^^^Sound advice rite there^^^

 

[Blissxx23]

Typically odors are caused by micro organisms (bacteria, fungus, molds, etc.) feeding or by the decay of organic matter (which also includes the involvement of micro organisms). By what has been written so far, I don't see where the spider was completely isolated from its enclosure to determine if the smell is actually coming from the spider itself. My suggestion, keep the spider in a clean large tupperware container, or something similar, without substrate, water, or anything else for maybe a day. Don't forget the air holes and yes it will be fine without water, food, and moisture for a day. Does that container now smell with only the spider? If so, you can confirm that the smell is being produced by the spider. If not, you need a new enclosure, water dish, etc. etc. I think it is terrible advice to ramp up the heat and feed more because you haven't definitively found the source of the odor. If it is actually coming from something else other than the spider, more heat and prey remains might make it worse.

And another thing. The exocuticle of spiders don't act like baking soda. They don't absorb smells. Theoretically, if the smell is coming from the spider itself, there is probably some kind of bacteria living on it somewhere. If that is the case, then we will have to see about a plan of attack.

Thank you so much for that
Well I removed her from her previous enclosure entirely and rehomed her in another, new substrate, new hide, new water dish, entirely new.
And no such luck.
I did it again, new everything and same problem - None of my other T's smell anywhere near this.
I'll get her into a container today as you say, no subtrate etc etc and see, that's a brilliant idea thank you