B. smithi with a crusty chin

[cheesepizza]

During a rehouse I noticed my T with two white crusty looking things under the sides of her fangs. She is eating well and behaving the same as usual. Doesn’t seem to bother her but I am a concerned as I’ve never come across this before. Doesn’t look like nematodes? Can’t figure out if this is something I should worry about as I have multiple Ts in the same room.

 

[viper69]

It reminds me of dried poop, but I cannot say for sure as mine have never had this.

 

[Brewser]

It could be dried juice from recent prey feeding.

 

[TheraMygale]

Try to check it in following weeks.

Tried food stuff or poop looks about right.

It wouldnt be dry if it was nematodes…

If its in a catch cup you could always see with a wet qtip if it comes off. Then youd know if its permanent or not.

Put holds in the cup and that should be good for you to get to it, gently.

 

[DrPeeWee]

To preface this response, I have been researching a lot about T's because I'm a new owner. I'm preparing myself for situations that I may face. I am not an expert, and I don't have first hand experience in basically any of these situations.

I have read that T's have/do eat their own feces. Apparently its like cows "Chewing their cud" extracting as much from their meal as they can.

Nematodes are rare from everything I've read. however, if you are worried, I have read of a way to see if it might be nematodes by taking a cotton swab and swabbing some of the white area and swish that in a clear glass with a bit of vodka and hold it up to the light. if you see small wiggly "worms" it is likely nematodes. Generally from images I've seen, nematodes have a "wet" appearance.

Otherwise maybe Bacteria, or more likely IMO Fecal matter. Coprophagia is a thing that exists in the animal kingdom and usually to get the most out of their food weather its for nutrients, water, or accidental.
In this case your B. Smithi would come from an Arid environment, so I'd think its instinct for water retention. That's conjecture though.

 

[cheesepizza]

Yes, she was fed a couple days ago so I’m hoping it’s food stuff. That, or she’s just a poop eater . She’s a very feisty and angry lady so I probably won’t be using any qtips. I’ll continue to observe her crusty stain. Thanks!

 

[TheraMygale]

To preface this response, I have been researching a lot about T's because I'm a new owner. I'm preparing myself for situations that I may face. I am not an expert, and I don't have first hand experience in basically any of these situations.

I have read that T's have/do eat their own feces. Apparently its like cows "Chewing their cud" extracting as much from their meal as they can.

Nematodes are rare from everything I've read. however, if you are worried, I have read of a way to see if it might be nematodes by taking a cotton swab and swabbing some of the white area and swish that in a clear glass with a bit of vodka and hold it up to the light. if you see small wiggly "worms" it is likely nematodes. Generally from images I've seen, nematodes have a "wet" appearance.

Otherwise maybe Bacteria, or more likely IMO Fecal matter. Coprophagia is a thing that exists in the animal kingdom and usually to get the most out of their food weather its for nutrients, water, or accidental.
In this case your B. Smithi would come from an Arid environment, so I'd think its instinct for water retention. That's conjecture though.

Good on you. Its sounds like you are doing your research.

nematodes are rare but they are appearing in collections. And the patch would be moist. We could actualy see them in that picture if that tarantula had some, considering the size of the patches. And when we actualy see them, its real late in the stages.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

I have read that T's have/do eat their own feces. Apparently its like cows "Chewing their cud" extracting as much from their meal as they can.

No they don’t.

 

[TheraMygale]

No they don’t.

I agree. Its more complicated then that. @DrPeeWee, i recommend the Biology of spiders. It talks about the digestive process.

 

[DrPeeWee]

No they don’t.

I agree. Its more complicated then that. @DrPeeWee, i recommend the Biology of spiders. It talks about the digestive process.

Thank you for the correction, I must have stumbled across some bad information.
It's an unfortunate side effect of this hobby, I'm learning. Not a ton of "Official" information and a lot of outdated, or incorrect information.
Not to mention conjecture, not unlike my assumption above about it being a survival instinct.

I will absolutely check that out! is it just an online article, or a book I can buy?

 

[TheraMygale]

Thank you for the correction, I must have stumbled across some bad information.
It's an unfortunate side effect of this hobby, I'm learning. Not a ton of "Official" information and a lot of outdated, or incorrect information.
Not to mention conjecture, not unlike my assumption above about it being a survival instinct.

I will absolutely check that out! is it just an online article, or a book I can buy?

I have seen many posts where people say they eat poop. Its possible a tarantula ate poop just like that. But they dont eat poop like animals that do that for specific reasons. Its more scientific then that.

get your hands on the book. It really put things in perspective for me.

there is tons of official info on this board. If you look for it. You have come to the right place and you will be a great keeper.

the book is available for purchase in most places and downloadable in most places . If you know where to look.

Whatever is outdated has been called out here. Whenever in doubt, ask the board! Explain the research you did and what you read and that you want clarification.

when you start researching, it gets conflicting. But then soon you will see, the best is here and cross checked. Check who posts what.

And check the dates. If its new and you arent sure, bring it up here!

i need to add @DrPeeWee, people dont get money for the work they do here. And a forum is not “entertaining”. You can get points just like everyone else and make it to arachnogod one day.

this is why, here is a valid proved place for info. Sure, sometimes some people have some harsh words. But lets be real, if you ask a really bad question, it happens a really bad answer comes quick.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Spood sat it it’s own poop it’s like a street cleaner lol …

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

Thank you for the correction, I must have stumbled across some bad information.
It's an unfortunate side effect of this hobby, I'm learning. Not a ton of "Official" information and a lot of outdated, or incorrect information.
Not to mention conjecture, not unlike my assumption above about it being a survival instinct.

Trying to figure out what information is legit can be a difficult thing to do just because of how information changes as it flows. For example...

"That looks like spider poop around its mouth" turns into "That is spider poop" which ultimately turns into "Spiders (or tarantulas specifically) eat their own poop."

The best way to combat misinformation or speculation is to start asking specific questions either in response to the one making the claim or just asking yourself. Such as, "if that is spider poop on the maxillae of a pictured tarantula, then why doesn't it appear in the oral cavity or anywhere else?" Or "what is spider excrement composed of that it would find some benefit from consuming it?" Or even, "has there been any documented direct observations of any spider- tarantula or not- eating its own poop?"

And the best way to determine who is full of poop (pun intended) and who knows what they are talking about is again to ask specific follow-up questions. Those who simply repeat what they hear or read do not have a deep enough understanding of a topic to answer. Those who actually know what they are talking about can carry on a progressively detailed conversation.

I will absolutely check that out! is it just an online article, or a book I can buy?

"Biology of Spiders" is a textbook written by Rainer Foelix which you can buy on Amazon.

 

[Brewser]

Larn somthn nu everday lol