Caring for an Octoplegic

[MrCrackerpants]

i bet that slacker isn't even paralyzed anymore. Why start walking around and doing things for yourself when you're getting fed and watered while lazing about?

:3::3::3:lol!!:3::3::3:

 

[tbrandt]

Wow, just saw this thread for the first time.

Upgrader - thank you for spending all of this time to take care of Charlotte. Your thread is both interesting and inspiring.

 

[z32upgrader]

Thanks for the update. I am wondering if anyone has ever done this before. If so, I have not heard of it. I wonder if you are breaking new scientific ground.

Way back at the beginning of this thread, it was mentioned that this has been done before. "Pat's Miracle Tarantula", when searched with Google brings results of a nearly identical story, except that the person actually shooed away the wasp that was in the process of dragging off the tarantula. That occurred in 2005, so no new ground here, maybe just better documentation.

I bet that slacker isn't even paralyzed anymore. Why start walking around and doing things for yourself when you're getting fed and watered while lazing about?

Just kidding. This is a very touching story! It's obvious you've got a very big heart, and you care a lot about her. I hope you keep her, if not because you deserve the reward of watching her grow up after all your work, then just because it's a fascinating study. To record progress, note molts and compare them to others. For example, if her growth ended up stunted somehow. Or if she ever fully regains function of her limbs or if she'll always be more sluggish. Just spitballing here, lots of possibilities! Could be she ends up just fine. Either way, worth keeping track of.

Also when I read the title I honestly thought the spider had dropped all of it's limbs. I was trying to picture that in my head.

Thank you for the kind words as well as the levity. I'm sure she's extremely frustrated that she cannot move, if indeed a tarantula is complex enough to feel such an emotion. I know I would be.
I'll keep this thread updated from time to time when I see significant progress or someone requests it.

 

[Sana]

Thanks for letting us know how things are going. I wonder about your little Charlotte from time to time and am always glad to see an update. Hope you move upward from the plateau soon!

 

[z32upgrader]

My little sweetheart is doing much better. When I check on the Ts in the morning I've noticed that she's in a different spot in her "enclosure", so I decided to set up a camera to take pictures of her overnight in 30 second intervals. This is what I got!

She's since been moved into a "normal" spider enclosure.
See Photo

 

[lalberts9310]

I'm so glad charlotte is doing so great! She made one great recovery, you are blessed to have such a lovely T and she's blessed to be in the care of someone like you! :smile:

 

[Sana]

I'm so happy for you both. It looks like your compassion and hard work paid off.

 

[cold blood]

Good to see it in a real enclosure. Nice job Doc, very satisfying indeed!!

 

[awiec]

Looks like a normal spider to me, probably would have never known what happened to her if I didn't know the story. Have you decided to keep her? Are there any impediments you think she has that the video doesn't show?

 

[z32upgrader]

Looks like a normal spider to me, probably would have never known what happened to her if I didn't know the story. Have you decided to keep her? Are there any impediments you think she has that the video doesn't show?

She's staying with me for the rest of her life. I doubt she's capable of hunting prey still. I'll leave a prekilled roach in there and see if she takes it. She can extend her fangs, so she should be able to masticate her food as well.

 

[Ellenantula]

Is she able to moult -- is she due to moult and/or has she moulted since this happened?

 

[z32upgrader]

She has not molted and so far isn't showing any signs of premolt.

 

[ARACHNO-SMACK48]

Absolutely amazing what you have done. Charlotte couldn't have found a better home haha.

 

[awiec]

Is she able to moult -- is she due to moult and/or has she moulted since this happened?

It will be interesting to see if she can, though the main contributor to the molting process is the heart. The spider creates a very high blood pressure in order to split open the weakened exo and continues to pump to get the legs out though I imagine the muscles in the legs probably do work as well.

 

[Ellenantula]

My biggest concern now is the ability of T to moult safely and successfully. I will remain hopeful for the little fellow.

 

[awiec]

My biggest concern now is the ability of T to moult safely and successfully. I will remain hopeful for the little fellow.

After practicing molt surgery a few times I can say that if the carapace and abdomen can get free the rest is cake to help the spider out through.

 

[z32upgrader]

She did it! Charlotte molted!

 

[LythSalicaria]

She did it! Charlotte molted!
[video]https://youtube.com/watch?v=AkEi89_GeoE[/video]

I just found and read through this thread today - it's been a joy reading about her progress. So glad to see that she has molted successfully; she's a beautiful girl. Congratulations on your successful rehabilitation!

 

[Blueandbluer]

That is truly amazing! What a turnaround. I would have assumed that spider was a goner. There is a spot for you in spider heaven, sir.

 

[cold blood]

She did it! Charlotte molted!
[video]https://youtube.com/watch?v=AkEi89_GeoE[/video]

Nice work Dr. upgrader....I give you AND the spider....a standing ovation:


:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap: