Camel spider not eating

[Alex9104]

I have a fuzzy camel spider, and for some reason it’s not eating, here’s some background: it is a female and a baby, I’ve kept it for over 2 months now, it ate small crickets when I first got it, and then it just completely stopped, recently (about a week ago) I noticed it was no longer moving and when I touch it also no response, it’s not in a molting position, so I thought it might be dead, but I wasn’t so sure so I set it aside, away from the heat pad it was on, and yesterday it woke up, but it just won’t eat (it wasn’t eating before it went to sleep), it seems that the hind legs are not moving anymore, she only uses them occasionally, she actively chases down cockroaches and chew on them, but after one or two bites she just leaves them alone. Does anyone know what is happening? Premolt?

 

[Liquifin]

I'm not sure on camel spiders but I do know a couple things about them. Camel spiders do not live long in captivity and many of them will die in a couple or few months in captivity. There isn't a way that we hobbyists know of to keep them living longer in captivity. Many believe that hibernation and other natural factors like how they do in the wild could possibly increase their lifespan much longer in captivity. But at the moment there is a lot that we don't understand or know of about camel spiders to ensure they live longer in captivity.

I wish people studied more into camel spiders, but the information on them is very limited which is why many camel spiders in captivity only live a couple to a few months before dying. What we do know is that they live much longer in the wild, but there is a lot of natural factors that come into play in comparison to keeping them in captivity.

 

[Ferrachi]

Take a look at this link:

Camel spider molting

Hello, This is my first post here. I've been following Arachnoboards for information on camel spiders for quite some time and now I'd like to give something back. One of our camel spiders has recently molted, so I'd like to share my observations and photos: 1) Unlike with tarantulas, with camel...

arachnoboards.com

 

[Alex9104]

Take a look at this link:

Camel spider molting

Hello, This is my first post here. I've been following Arachnoboards for information on camel spiders for quite some time and now I'd like to give something back. One of our camel spiders has recently molted, so I'd like to share my observations and photos: 1) Unlike with tarantulas, with camel...

arachnoboards.com

Thanks I’ve already seen that, I’ve had one that’s already molted and eating well, but I am just curious as to why this one in particular is not eating, I can rule out molting because it is still moving around, but I can’t rule out premolt, and that thread doesn’t mention premolt

 

[ReignofInvertebrates]

They’re notorious for weird habits in captivity. If the back legs don’t work that probably isn’t a good sign but acting lethargic and refusing food aren’t things you should be too concerned about.

 

[Alex9104]

They’re notorious for weird habits in captivity. If the back legs don’t work that probably isn’t a good sign but acting lethargic and refusing food aren’t things you should be too concerned about.

Thanks, the back legs do move but rarely, and they function normally as well, I see her use them to stand in place when digging

 

[mantisfan101]

If she’s not eating don’t feed her, leave her alone

 

[Alex9104]

If she’s not eating don’t feed her, leave her alone

Aight, thanks

 

[Ian14]

There is a new YouTube video from Marks Tarantulas about these.
They need a very big enclosure, deep substrate, and lots of hides, then left alone. If they are out daytime its a sign of stress. Get the enclosure right and they do seem to do quite well.
Just remember too, that these are NOT spiders. Their husbandry is very different.

 

[wizentrop]

As someone who kept camel spiders long-term (yes, they live longer than one year, we have a sticky for that!), I feel that I have to say something. There is a lot of good info given in the previous comments, but please do not lump all camel spiders as requiring the same conditions. There are different species entering the hobby (depends more on which of them are being wild-caught since no one is actively breeding these animals), each has its own specific requirements and seasonality. Giving general advice without having a clue about the species identity is... kinda useless (sorry!).

 

[Ian14]

As someone who kept camel spiders long-term (yes, they live longer than one year, we have a sticky for that!), I feel that I have to say something. There is a lot of good info given in the previous comments, but please do not lump all camel spiders as requiring the same conditions. There are different species entering the hobby (depends more on which of them are being wild-caught since no one is actively breeding these animals), each has its own specific requirements and seasonality. Giving general advice without having a clue about the species identity is... kinda useless (sorry!).

A very fair point.
What species have you kept?
I find these inverts fascinating and would like to keep one at some point, but the lack of useful, first hand husbandry information is stopping me. I don't want to buy an animal and have it die on me for no other reason than i did not know how to properly care for it.

 

[wizentrop]

I've had some positive experiences with Galeodes and Paragaleodes species, and negative experiences with Rhagodes and Rhagoderma.

 

[Ferrachi]

I've had some positive experiences with Galeodes and Paragaleodes species, and negative experiences with Rhagodes and Rhagoderma.

You had experience with quite a few different species ! I'm still trying to get one... which of them are more arid ?

 

[wizentrop]

Galeodes species are the ones that need arid conditions. But it's more than that, solifugids need seasonal temperature drops, have soil requirements, chamber humidity requirements (for Rhagodidae) etc'.

 

[Ferrachi]

Galeodes species are the ones that need arid conditions. But it's more than that, solifugids need seasonal temperature drops, have soil requirements, chamber humidity requirements (for Rhagodidae) etc'.

Wow... no wonder I keep hearing from many people they're not easy to keep