B. Smithi is on her back for 3-4 days (pics)

[Tiliev]

Hello, guys and gals,

My mom has a B. Smithi that is 8 years old.
The T hasn't been fed in 5 months.
The T got on her back (I presume to molt). My mom didn't know that she shouldn't touch her in that position and flipped her over. The T got on her back again shortly after. And it is for 3, nearly 4 days in the position that can be seen on the pics. The T is kicking its rear legs. So, it's still alive.

From what I've read in this forum, the T is likely dying.

Can we do anything to save her?

Thanks for your time.

Regards,
Tisho

 

[Poonjab]

It’s dead. Sorry man...

 

[viper69]

wait it out, who knows

 

[mack1855]

No...3/4 days,its done.Sorry to say.Dont know how you cared for this animal.Its not molting obviously .
Has your mom had it for 8 years?.If yes,then something changed,in regards to care.

Im looking real close,and I doubt that animal has lived in this enclosure for 8 years.Did your mom just get it?.Or change the enclosure recently?.

 

[Smotzer]

I’m struggling to make sense of this potential time frame, there’s no way your mom Has had it for 8yrs and one didn’t know not to touch it when it’s molting and two didn’t know they molt on their backs and three never flip a molting T back over, sorry to say but that’s likely what killed it.

 

[sasker]

Not that it matters anymore, but that terrarium was completely unsuitable for this tarantula. If you and your mom want to keep another tarantula, please, please educate yourself about the care for these animals. This is loss that could have been prevented.

 

[Jessica88]

I'm a beginner and read all the Husbandry I was given by the seller and more. I still have questions but I even know not to turn over a T when there on there back. If I'm unsure I will read up on it and ask first. If she had for 8 years how did she not know not to turn over? My son is 11 and he wanted a T in 3rd grade at age 8 and I said not until we learn about them first, and 3 yrs later we finally got 2 T's slings. Please be careful and read up there still animals.

 

[Tiliev]

Thanks for the feedback.

@mack1855 , I bought the T and the terrarium 7 years ago as a gift to my mom. The T was 1 year old at the time (at least that's what I've been told by the seller). So, currently, it is 8 years old. The only thing that's changed is my mom haven't fed her in 5 months.

@Smotzer yes, I talked to her again and she said she's seen the T many times on her back molting. I'm not sure why she decided to flip her this time. She told me that this time the T had no spider web underneath it, her legs were in a very unusual way (close to her body) and she buried herself with some substrate. So, in her mind she wasn't molting. She shouldn't have touched her in this position anyway... Also, she told me the tarantula was lethargic before she went on her back for the first time.

@sasker , I'm attaching some photos of the terrarium. The only difference between now and 7 years ago (when I bought it) is that initially it had some plants. They died out eventually. Can you tell me what's the issue with the terrarium? It's been fine for 7 years and as far as I know it's made specifically for tarantulas.

Currently, the T is moving one of her legs, but it's apparently dying. It's very sad that we can't do anything.

 

[Konstantin Konstantinov]

Hi
if the tarantula is still moving and not dead the only thing you can do is drop some water on her fangs(mouth parts) to give it a drink after you gently brush off (with soft brush)that substrate there.
Apart from that there is nothing else you can do.
It may be or not your mom flipping it back over.Its true that moulting is stressful for tarantulas but I doubt this is the cause unless you disturb it mid moult it shouls have went ok.
It may be dehydrated before she started to moult in the first place if she had not eaten or drunk lately,or sth else went wrong. Unfortunately it happens sometimes.
Fingers crossed for her.
Regards Konstantin

 

[sasker]

It's been fine for 7 years and as far as I know it's made specifically for tarantulas.

Well, for one, there is much too much distance between the substrate and the 'ceiling'. If your tarantula would climb all the way to the top, it could seriously injure itself if it falls down (broken legs, ruptured abdomen). The fact that it did well during the past 7 years is unfortunately not a guarantee that it is a proper way to keep them. Luckily, it is easy to fix by adding much more substrate so there is only about 1.5x the leg span of space left.

I would also replace the coconut by something that allows the tarantula to dig down. It looks like an entire hollowed out coconut with only one entrance, if I am not mistaken. Half a coconut might work. Or a curved piece of cork bark, half in the substrate.

It is recommendable to add a water dish as well. Tarantulas do not drink often, but it is good to have a source of water in case they are thirsty.

Another thing you might want to look into is the ventilation strip in the top. I think it is okay, I think have seen these strips in enclosures here in Bulgaria. The claws of should not be able to get stuck.

 

[Konstantin Konstantinov]

Yep
I second the water dish.Especially with your tarantula not eating 5 months it is dehydrated for sure if you dont have one.My B hamorii has not eaten for just over 2.5 months but I see her drink every week.
Try giving it some water on mouth parts asap.It may be too late but at least you tried
Regards Konstantin

 

[LucN]

When the T was purchased, how small was it ? At 1 year old, it would still be about an inch in size and would not have its adult colours yet. My guess : Probably an older WC specimen. The seller probably didn't know any better, so he assumed it was just a year old. So this animal could have been at the end of a very long lifespan.

 

[WolleWolf]

yes, I talked to her again and she said she's seen the T many times on her back molting

My guess : Probably an older WC specimen. The seller probably didn't know any better, so he assumed it was just a year old. So this animal could have been at the end of a very long lifespan.

She molted many times in 8 years, though I dont think, she was too old.

 

[Baby T]

Thanks for the feedback.

@mack1855 , I bought the T and the terrarium 7 years ago as a gift to my mom. The T was 1 year old at the time (at least that's what I've been told by the seller). So, currently, it is 8 years old. The only thing that's changed is my mom haven't fed her in 5 months.

@Smotzer yes, I talked to her again and she said she's seen the T many times on her back molting. I'm not sure why she decided to flip her this time. She told me that this time the T had no spider web underneath it, her legs were in a very unusual way (close to her body) and she buried herself with some substrate. So, in her mind she wasn't molting. She shouldn't have touched her in this position anyway... Also, she told me the tarantula was lethargic before she went on her back for the first time.

@sasker , I'm attaching some photos of the terrarium. The only difference between now and 7 years ago (when I bought it) is that initially it had some plants. They died out eventually. Can you tell me what's the issue with the terrarium? It's been fine for 7 years and as far as I know it's made specifically for tarantulas.

Currently, the T is moving one of her legs, but it's apparently dying. It's very sad that we can't do anything.

There's nothing wrong with the actual terrarium, but pretty much everything in it is...
There should be way more sub in there to prevent a fall. A better hide/starter burrow. Why no water dish?
Also is it just me or in the second pic the sub looks really wet bottom right... They need a dry sub with an overflowed water dish every once in a while.
I'm sorry for your potential loss. Stick with this forum and you'll learn a lot about how to care for your animal

 

[sasker]

My guess : Probably an older WC specimen.

Here in Europe, B. hamorii is quite common and not that expensive. I doubt anyone would consider moving any wild-caught Brachys to the EU. It is possible, but IMO very unlikely.

 

[LucN]

Another question we is why wasn't she fed in the span of 5 months ? Did the spider refuse to feed ? And why no water dish ? Whomever sold the terrarium and spider wasn't well versed in their care.

 

[mack1855]

And why the heck is there sphagnum moss all over the mouth/chelicerae?.
I believe that animal is dead,has been dead for a while.No T is on its back for 3-4 days just for the heck of it.
And i have seen better enclosures at Petsmart!!!.Never mind 8 year,s..

 

[sasker]

Another question we is why wasn't she fed in the span of 5 months ? Did the spider refuse to feed ?

First post says the tarantula tried to molt and turned on its back, but was flipped back by hand. 5 months without feeding prior to molting is nothing for this species. Mine also needs to molt and hasn't eaten longer than that. It has a water dish, though.

 

[Jessica88]

And why the heck is there sphagnum moss all over the mouth/chelicerae?.
I believe that animal is dead,has been dead for a while.No T is on its back for 3-4 days just for the heck of it.
And i have seen better enclosures at Petsmart!!!.Never mind 8 year,s..

I'm a beginner and know this. If anything I packed my substrate to make sure it wasnt fluffy and made sure it was full, where if my T fell it wouldnt get hurt. Of course I'll still have questions, but people should at least know how to set up there enclosures. That's one thing I read up on frequently to make sure my T would be happy.