Avicularia Possible Molt Difficulties

[EmilyAW24]

I found my T like this lastnight when I started spraying the tank. At first I figured it was just starting to molt, but whrn I checked on it this morning there has been no change. Should I be worried?

 

[SausageinaNet]

It might be stuck inside its molt. I would start to worry if after 24h the T hasn't made any progress.

 

[Toxoderidae]

That's a death curl. Get her some water, use a waterdish and gently place her fangs in there, she will do the rest. By the looks of it, you're keeping her like a terrestrial, and you're misting. both aren't very good, and misting is useless. Hope you can save your T..

 

[lalberts9310]

I would like to see the setup of that enclosure.

The T is in a deathcurl. Avics usually molt up in their webs (high off the ground) when correct husbandry is provided. A avic on the ground is a bad sign.

What was the Ts setup and husbandry like? Got any pics?

 

[cold blood]

looks dead

 

[Travis K]

I have had Avics die for no good reason before and that one looks dead to me... Sorry man.

 

[viper69]

Your T is dead. It died due to dehydration. There are specific anatomical and physiological reasons for the death curl morphology that we see in Ts. We can't tell you why it died due to dehydration.

 

[EmilyAW24]

I would like to see the setup of that enclosure.

The T is in a deathcurl. Avics usually molt up in their webs (high off the ground) when correct husbandry is provided. A avic on the ground is a bad sign.

What was the Ts setup and husbandry like? Got any pics?

I can take one, give me a moment

 

[EmilyAW24]

Here is the setup as well as a picture of the web

 

[Toxoderidae]

Well that branch looks like it could have fallen, and the tank is really barren for an avic...

 

[EmilyAW24]

The branch was wedged so that it could not slip or move, I moved it to get a better look at Aragog, the T. I think all hope is lost.
Before I get another one what should I do to prevent this from happening again, I love spiders and I am so heart broken that I lost this one.

 

[cold blood]

Buy a NW terrestrial next time, like a Brachypelma, Eauthalus or Grammostola species.

That aquarium is a poor set up for an avic, especially with it as barren as it is. Its better suited to a slow growing NW terrestrial, but you will need to fill it halfway with substrate first.

 

[EmilyAW24]

How should it be set up for an avic?

 

[Olan]

http://arachnoboards.com/threads/new-avicularia-avicularias-rate-enclosure-please.225096/

Check out some of these.

 

[viper69]

How should it be set up for an avic?

Empower yourself for the benefit of your T, if you haven't already, and search the forum, there are tons of Avic questions related to their husbandry including cage setup.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

How should it be set up for an avic?

Buy an arboreal enclosure where there's already cross ventilation provided (in US there's those) or buy/find something similar to an arboreal enclosure (on this last one drill holes on both side of the enclosure, otherwise no cross ventilation, very very important), put the substrate (dry), don't mist, put a piece of cork bark (like arboreal T's needs, i mean), put the water dish & put the "Avic" inside. Fake leaves if you want. Done

 

[lalberts9310]

Yeah that setup is def not suitable for an avic. Avicularia needs not much ground space, like other aboreals, as avics are always high off the ground (like I said, an avic on the ground is a bad sign). They need aboreal enclosures with cross-ventilation (vents on the side not top) and dry substrate (on which you can dribble a few water dropplets occasionally). Misting for humidity is useless, providing a full watebowl (no sponges, no gel, just water, it won't drown) at all times gives the T a source to drink and provide enough humidity. A cork slab/tube should be provided and lots of fake leaves at the top of the enclosure for anchoring points.

Different T species requires different husbandry, so before you aquire your next T please do lots of research (avoid online care-sheets though). This forum provides heaps of information, and there's a lot of knowledgeable and experienced keepers willing to answer questions.

All in all, I hate to say that I'm not really hopeful for your little guy/girl. Especially if it has been in a deathcurl for more than a day. And i really am sorry for this happening. But the best is to learn from these mistakes so the next time it won't happen again.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Yeah that setup is def not suitable for an avic. Avicularia needs not much ground space, like other aboreals, as avics are always high off the ground (like I said, an avic on the ground is a bad sign). They need aboreal enclosures with cross-ventilation (vents on the side not top) and dry substrate (on which you can dribble a few water dropplets occasionally). Misting for humidity is useless, providing a full watebowl (no sponges, no gel, just water, it won't drown) at all times gives the T a source to drink and provide enough humidity. A cork slab/tube should be provided and lots of fake leaves at the top of the enclosure for anchoring points.

Different T species requires different husbandry, so before you aquire your next T please do lots of research (avoid online care-sheets though). This forum provides heaps of information, and there's a lot of knowledgeable and experienced keepers willing to answer questions.

All in all, I hate to say that I'm not really hopeful for your little guy/girl. Especially if it has been in a deathcurl for more than a day. And i really am sorry for this happening. But the best is to learn from these mistakes so the next time it won't happen again.

I've noticed that coold blood is the ultimate Lollipop Salesman here, he owns a Mr. Whoopee truck i bet

 

[lalberts9310]

I've noticed that coold blood is the ultimate Lollipop Salesman here, he owns a Mr. Whoopee truck i bet

At least we get sweeties for good advice

 

[cold blood]

he owns a Mr. Whoopee truck i bet

Gotta pull the boat with something