C. Versicolor death

[Socks]

Back in June (2024), I bought two slings. A GBB and a caribena versicolor. They’ve been very healthy and molting perfectly fine. Yesterday, I went to fill up the water for both of them and found the versicolor dead. I have no idea how this happened, but I have three ideas, but two feel far fetched.

The first thing I thought was a mealworm attacked it. There is one mealworm in there that wasn’t eaten, but it was in the dirt and the spider was in the webbing at the top. It hasn’t been eating for about a week and a half after it molted, but that’s not odd behavior and the abdomen was still a good size.

My other theory, which feels more realistic, is that it wasn’t getting enough water. I’m not totally sure how much water Tarantulas need or how often, but I’ve kept it practically the same this whole time. I had two bottle caps in the enclosure and filled it every other day (sometimes less. I have a lot of other animals that I don’t think about my T’s all the time. Just being honest). The main reason for this was that I’ve never seen it drink water, but it can’t go that long without water (or can it?).

I had one small thought, though very unlikely, that a temperature fluctuation could’ve killed it. I don’t think this one would be the case as I’ve had small fluctuations a few times already and I don’t remember anything significant recently.

The nest it made is kinda destroyed because I had to get the T out. One of the exits/entrances were connected to the top bottle cap.


I’m pretty disappointed it died, especially if it was my fault. Not sure what to do now.

This is from when I first bought it

This is what it looked like when I took it out

 

[Ratmosphere]

The water dish looks very shallow, it should be deeper. Poland Spring caps used as water dishes are good for short term, but definitely not for long term.

From the second pic, it looks like something chewed the spiders abdomen. Always remove uneaten prey items from the enclosure within 8-24 hours.

 

[viper69]

Back in June (2024), I bought two slings. A GBB and a caribena versicolor. They’ve been very healthy and molting perfectly fine. Yesterday, I went to fill up the water for both of them and found the versicolor dead. I have no idea how this happened, but I have three ideas, but two feel far fetched.

The first thing I thought was a mealworm attacked it. There is one mealworm in there that wasn’t eaten, but it was in the dirt and the spider was in the webbing at the top. It hasn’t been eating for about a week and a half after it molted, but that’s not odd behavior and the abdomen was still a good size.

My other theory, which feels more realistic, is that it wasn’t getting enough water. I’m not totally sure how much water Tarantulas need or how often, but I’ve kept it practically the same this whole time. I had two bottle caps in the enclosure and filled it every other day (sometimes less. I have a lot of other animals that I don’t think about my T’s all the time. Just being honest). The main reason for this was that I’ve never seen it drink water, but it can’t go that long without water (or can it?).

I had one small thought, though very unlikely, that a temperature fluctuation could’ve killed it. I don’t think this one would be the case as I’ve had small fluctuations a few times already and I don’t remember anything significant recently.

The nest it made is kinda destroyed because I had to get the T out. One of the exits/entrances were connected to the top bottle cap.
View attachment 491411

I’m pretty disappointed it died, especially if it was my fault. Not sure what to do now.

No way of knowing what happened. Your use of relative adjectives is really useless. Your idea of good size is NOT the same as mine etc

The image you showed is not overaly small, but not fat either. Personally I keep my versi on the plump side.

You had temp changes where it was kept? As long as you had it between 70-75 it will be fine. Even into 65-68 for a few days at night won't kill them.

See my link in my sig file. They don't always drink from a dish, can't rely on those.

Versi are the best Avics to start with, so if you get another Avic, get another versi.

 

[Nitroxide]

Sorry for your loss. Just wanted to mention but sometimes it just happens even when everything is right. It's hard to know exactly what went wrong unless you noticed a significant change in behavior or eating habits. I wouldn't think the temperatures had much to do with it unless it was very drastic change or constantly fluctuating.

My concern would mostly be the abdomen looking almost shriveled, so I'd be worried about possible dehydration but it is really hard to tell in the picture. Do you know if he was eating well beforehand?

 

[cold blood]

First, tarantulas don't drink often, they don't need to....and when they do, it's certainly not great quantities.

Temp fluctuations are a natural part of nature, changing temps alone, certainly won't kill and t, heck they aren't likely to kill any living thing....that said, versicolor are tropical, and therefore won't do well in low temps....viper pretty much described what they would be expected to handle.

Mealworms are ferocious eaters, and looking at the dead t, to me, it looks clear that an area has indeed been chewed out....although it's impossible to know if that occurred when it was alive and caused it's death, or if it was post-mortem. But from what we can tell, it's a possibility.

 

[Brewser]

Pure Speculation at this point,
Try and learn from these Tragedies & become Better Keepers.
My Sympathies to You,
"Keep on keeping on" as 'They' say ...

 

[Socks]

The image you showed is not overaly small, but not fat either. Personally I keep my versi on the plump side.

My T’s are usually on the plump side as well, but it hasn’t eaten in a while because it molted.

You had temp changes where it was kept? As long as you had it between 70-75 it will be fine. Even into 65-68 for a few days at night won't kill them.

See my link in my sig file. They don't always drink from a dish, can't rely on those.

What link? Sorry, I haven’t used arachnoboards a whole lot.

My concern would mostly be the abdomen looking almost shriveled, so I'd be worried about possible dehydration but it is really hard to tell in the picture. Do you know if he was eating well beforehand?

Well, it had molted two weeks ago (ish) and so it wasn’t eating before or after that. The abdomen was still a decent size (1.5x the carapace?). It wasn’t very odd behavior in my experience with it’s past molts.

Temp fluctuations are a natural part of nature, changing temps alone, certainly won't kill and t, heck they aren't likely to kill any living thing....that said, versicolor are tropical, and therefore won't do well in low temps....viper pretty much described what they would be expected to handle.

Mealworms are ferocious eaters, and looking at the dead t, to me, it looks clear that an area has indeed been chewed out....although it's impossible to know if that occurred when it was alive and caused it's death, or if it was post-mortem. But from what we can tell, it's a possibility.

The temperature fluctuation was a pure conjecture. There wasn’t any significant changes and I keep other tropical critters near that would’ve certainly felt it too if the Versi got affected.

I definitely should’ve been more careful with the mealworm, but I didn’t think the T wouldn’t fight back in a non molting stage. Mealworms are pretty aggressive, though.

Pure Speculation at this point,
Try and learn from these Tragedies & become Better Keepers.
My Sympathies to You,
"Keep on keeping on" as 'They' say ...

Versi are the best Avics to start with, so if you get another Avic, get another versi.

Thank you. We’ll see when I decide to get another T. For now, I’m gonna stick with my GBB. If I buy another one, it would likely be a Versi or OBB, which may be a bit of a leap.

While I do love Tarantulas, what I’ve kept so far is mostly a pet rock that I can barely see half the time. I’m not big into handling and don’t mind not seeing my pets a lot (in fact, I’m quite used to it), but I would rather wait till I have good money to buy sexed females and make unique enclosures.

The GBB and Versi are/were very rewarding when seeing the gorgeous colors.
Dart frogs are the best pets for my style, nothing beats them.

I’ve learned quite a lot about animal keeping in the last four years and continue to everyday. I still make mistakes and learn from them, but I try to learn from others as much as I can. I honestly didn’t expect to kill a pretty hardy tarantula, but I did and I’m humbled, even if it was out of my control. Learned to be more careful with feeders and make sure it’s drinking water.

My most convincing speculation is dehydration, which makes me feel quite bad. It makes the most sense and there are signs of it.

Thank you guys for the help, I’m very glad arachnoboards is still alive

 

[Ratmosphere]

If you do get another C. versicolor, try and read these threads linked below.

Caribena versicolor: How to create an enclosure for slings.

Before I start, I need to say that this is the method that works best for me when keeping half inch slings. I see so many new people on this thread ask "How do I set up an enclosure for a Caribena versicolor sling?" Hopefully this will help. What you will need: A drill, a 1/16" drill bit, clear...

arachnoboards.com

Best water dish for slings (IMO)

A bunch of people use Poland Spring water bottle caps which are very shallow and dry out easily. Others use tattoo ink caps, including myself in some instances. They work nice for very small slings. I find the best style water bottle cap is the one pictured. You can find these at Walmart in...

arachnoboards.com

 

[TheraMygale]

Some C versicolor never take to bowls. They like to suck from enclosure walls or webbing. Or some structure that has drops of water.

doesnt meant its a hydration issue.

do you have more photos of dead tarantula?

mealworm attacks are visible, but they dont climb.

i suspect bad ventilation.

 

[Ratmosphere]

I've witnessed all of my current Caribena versicolor, and those of the past, drink from their dishes; even if the web was high up.

The Poland Spring style of dish just does not cut it for a spider of that size long term.

 

[TheraMygale]

I've witnessed all of my current Caribena versicolor, and those of the past, drink from their dishes; even if the web was high up.

The Poland Spring style of dish just does not cut it for a spider of that size long term.

Im happy your tarantulas took to bowls. Some will never.

i still believe its important to “sprinkle delicately” drops with a pipette on webbing or solid structure. Just in case.

they are all individuals. Like us.

I dont know what a poland style dish is.

 

[Ratmosphere]

It’s the one in OP’s pic.

 

[TheraMygale]

It’s the one in OP’s pic.

Then i agree. They are good bowls but not to depend upon. If there are choices, then tarantula gets options until it figures out the bowl. When it does.

And since they are so small (the water bottle cap), its not going to be a good size forever. Its all about adaptation.

 

[viper69]

My T’s are usually on the plump side as well, but it hasn’t eaten in a while because it molted.



What link? Sorry, I haven’t used arachnoboards a whole lot.



Well, it had molted two weeks ago (ish) and so it wasn’t eating before or after that. The abdomen was still a decent size (1.5x the carapace?). It wasn’t very odd behavior in my experience with it’s past molts.



The temperature fluctuation was a pure conjecture. There wasn’t any significant changes and I keep other tropical critters near that would’ve certainly felt it too if the Versi got affected.

I definitely should’ve been more careful with the mealworm, but I didn’t think the T wouldn’t fight back in a non molting stage. Mealworms are pretty aggressive, though.




Thank you. We’ll see when I decide to get another T. For now, I’m gonna stick with my GBB. If I buy another one, it would likely be a Versi or OBB, which may be a bit of a leap.

While I do love Tarantulas, what I’ve kept so far is mostly a pet rock that I can barely see half the time. I’m not big into handling and don’t mind not seeing my pets a lot (in fact, I’m quite used to it), but I would rather wait till I have good money to buy sexed females and make unique enclosures.

The GBB and Versi are/were very rewarding when seeing the gorgeous colors.
Dart frogs are the best pets for my style, nothing beats them.

I’ve learned quite a lot about animal keeping in the last four years and continue to everyday. I still make mistakes and learn from them, but I try to learn from others as much as I can. I honestly didn’t expect to kill a pretty hardy tarantula, but I did and I’m humbled, even if it was out of my control. Learned to be more careful with feeders and make sure it’s drinking water.

My most convincing speculation is dehydration, which makes me feel quite bad. It makes the most sense and there are signs of it.

Thank you guys for the help, I’m very glad arachnoboards is still alive

From what you said, I stick with GBB and that’s it. Most of the species are rarely out for any meaningful amt of time. They are NOT PDFs! Hah.

How long have you kept PDFs? What locality or species do you own?

 

[Ramen]

Im happy your tarantulas took to bowls. Some will never.

i still believe its important to “sprinkle delicately” drops with a pipette on webbing or solid structure. Just in case.

they are all individuals. Like us.

I dont know what a poland style dish is.

Do you keep this species?

 

[TheraMygale]

Do you keep this species?

Absolutely not. Its not a tarantula that can fit with what i can offer right now.

Its important to me that a tarantula fits with the “house specs”. Less mods needed.

 

[Ramen]

I see you were saying that this species sometimes will not take to a dish, how do you know that without keeping them?

 

[TheraMygale]

I see you were saying that this species sometimes will not take to a dish, how do you know that without keeping them?

It’s what i read on the board here. I should have said many tarantulas don’t take to bowls.

Doesnt mean we don’t offer them. Or adapt and add some water droplets.

Many threads I read on arboreals and water, is that some prefer drinking on the enclosure walls.

Of course, i dont doubt some go to the bowl. I suppose if you offer all options, you have better chance at succeeding.

I like to think the information I read on this board is good. I trust many members and do a lot of research to learn for myself.