Hello! I'm new to the whole tarantula keeping and yesterday I picked up a CHT. When I put him in his or hers cage it would walk around alot. But this morning I literally thought it had died because it was in a weird position on being on the side on the tank but on the ground. He or she did move but is on the wall not doing anything. I'm worried that it is stressed out and is dying? Not too sure!
Curly Hair Tarantula not moving?
- Thread starter jloebe
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I cleverly deduced that CHT is a 'curly hair tarantula'... That's not an abbreviation I've seen anyone use before. Generally scientific names are preferred because they are unambigous.
From what you describe, however, it is impossible to deduce if there's something wrong with your tarantula - most likely not. Tarantulas are not known for moving much.
Post a pic of the spider and your setup and someone will find out if there's something to be concerned about.
From what you describe, however, it is impossible to deduce if there's something wrong with your tarantula - most likely not. Tarantulas are not known for moving much.
Post a pic of the spider and your setup and someone will find out if there's something to be concerned about.
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Maybe I'm just used to my own pudgy princess, but that seems kind of skinny for a B. albopilosum. I hope you didn't pay too much for it! I can't tell for sure from your pictures, but does he, by any chance, have little "hooks" like this: https://thingsbiological.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/curlyhairtibialhook.jpg behind the "knees" on his front pair of legs? And are the tips of his pedipalps sort of blunted and rounded looking like this: https://tomsbigspiders.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/emboli-diagram.jpg (picture on left of male pedipalps)?
It looks to me like it might be a mature male - possibly approaching the end of its life - but I'd like a better look at the underside of those front legs and the ends of the pedipalps to be sure. Once the tibial hooks and emboli appear, that means it is a mature male. Male tarantulas typically live a year or less past their final molt, though I've heard of a few exceptionally spry codgers that have made it to two or more years past maturity. With this one coming from the pet store, not only is it possible that he is a mature male - but it is also possible that he "hooked out" quite a while ago and may already be pushing his expiration date. Freshly matured males will make sperm webs to load up their emboli, in case they encounter a receptive female tarantula in need of inseminating. They are also fairly active because they are searching for a mate. As they get older, though, they become more lethargic, turning down food, and just waiting out the clock. I've seen it happen with my own spiders quite a few times!
It looks to me like it might be a mature male - possibly approaching the end of its life - but I'd like a better look at the underside of those front legs and the ends of the pedipalps to be sure. Once the tibial hooks and emboli appear, that means it is a mature male. Male tarantulas typically live a year or less past their final molt, though I've heard of a few exceptionally spry codgers that have made it to two or more years past maturity. With this one coming from the pet store, not only is it possible that he is a mature male - but it is also possible that he "hooked out" quite a while ago and may already be pushing his expiration date. Freshly matured males will make sperm webs to load up their emboli, in case they encounter a receptive female tarantula in need of inseminating. They are also fairly active because they are searching for a mate. As they get older, though, they become more lethargic, turning down food, and just waiting out the clock. I've seen it happen with my own spiders quite a few times!
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I will have to look when I get back from classes! I too thought he looks a little skinny I did try to give him a meal but was not interested in eating. Not sure if $35 was too much for one!
Theneil
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MM was my first thought too.
OP, it is hard to tell for sure in the picture, but it appears you may have a Mature male (MM). Unfortunately, that means he is closer to the end of life than the beginning (Granted he could still live several years) and he likely won't eat very often.
If you can see the little hooks that @chanda mentioned then he is mature. if in question, try to get clearer pics of the ends of the pedipalps (the pair of 'short legs in the front) and the underside of the first pair of legs and we should be able to confirm for you.
I would add a little more substrate in case of a fall (MM like to wander and will likely fall off the lid periodically in the process)
Otherwise the setup looks pretty reasonable. (i am assuming the blue thing is a water dish)
I see nothing to indicate that the tarantula is dying or unhealthy
Thekla
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I may be mistaken, but to me it looks like a mature male and a fairly old one at that judging by the shrivelled abdomen and the overall appearance. I'd try to bring him back and get your money back.
If you decide to keep him, make sure he has always access to fresh water and fill up the substrate to a higher level, so he doesn't hurt himself while wandering around. And that's probably all that he'll do for the rest of his time.
If you decide to keep him, make sure he has always access to fresh water and fill up the substrate to a higher level, so he doesn't hurt himself while wandering around. And that's probably all that he'll do for the rest of his time.
RonC
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My G. pulchripes wandered its enclosure the first day or two it was in it. It ate, found its hide and moved in the second night. Pretty much stays in there now.
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Yes, that very much looks like a mature male, and an old one at that - and that means the pet shop cheated you out of your money . Without knowing the date of the maturing molt not even breeders would pay for an MM around here - meaning he's not worth one single cent.
Things like that are really, really frustrating.
. Without knowing the date of the maturing molt not even breeders would pay for an MM around here - meaning he's not worth one single cent.Things like that are really, really frustrating.
Oh no! I just called the store I got him from they said he's about a year oldYes, that very much looks like a mature male, and an old one at that - and that means the pet shop cheated you out of your money
Things like that are really, really frustrating.
and I'm not able to take him back since they don't take tarantulas for returns or exchanges and yes I'm adding more substrate! They did say he was apparently ate on Saturday. But I will make sure he is happy for the rest of his life Oh I did see he have the hooks and he does the pet store said he's about a year old but I just hope to give him a good life
Also here is a close upOh I did see he have the hooks and he does the pet store said he's about a year old but I just hope to give him a good life
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Nice MM. You should try and sell him or loan him to someone who has a female Curly Hair.
Theneil
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I have to disagree with this part. Value/worth is only defined by others if you are trying to sell it to them. (However, i still believe things like being a MM should be advertised though...)
If the OP thought it was worth 35 for a big fuzzy spider to keep and enjoy, then it is worth at least $35 the resale worth is not a factor.
Similarly, when i see a X immanis sling for $100 to me it is NOT worth that because there are other things i would rather spend my money on (for now. EVENTUALLY i will have a few of them) even though it is technically a good price and many others would say they are worth that or more.
Long story short, the OP (end user so to speak) gets to set the value of it so long as they never intend to sell.
I'm just rambling now, so i'll see myself out....
If the OP thought it was worth 35 for a big fuzzy spider to keep and enjoy, then it is worth at least $35 the resale worth is not a factor.
Similarly, when i see a X immanis sling for $100 to me it is NOT worth that because there are other things i would rather spend my money on (for now. EVENTUALLY i will have a few of them) even though it is technically a good price and many others would say they are worth that or more.
Long story short, the OP (end user so to speak) gets to set the value of it so long as they never intend to sell.
I'm just rambling now, so i'll see myself out....
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Yeah, right... B. albopilosum grow reasonably fast, but not that fast. But that isn't the point. A mature male is only looking for a way out and will only rarely eat. Personally, I think they are pretty sad to keep.
To be honest hes the sweetest thing ever! And I wanted to "rescue" him out of there because I wouldn't want to be in a one gallon tank with kinds all over bothering me! I don't think gender matters for me. I really hope he enjoys the rest of his life! as of now he is very popular at my college!I have to disagree with this part. Value/worth is only defined by others if you are trying to sell it to them. (However, i still believe things like being a MM should be advertised though...)
If the OP thought it was worth 35 for a big fuzzy spider to keep and enjoy, then it is worth at least $35 the resale worth is not a factor.
Similarly, when i see a X immanis sling for $100 to me it is NOT worth that because there are other things i would rather spend my money on (for now. EVENTUALLY i will have a few of them) even though it is technically a good price and many others would say they are worth that or more.
Long story short, the OP (end user so to speak) gets to set the value of it so long as they never intend to sell.
I'm just rambling now, so i'll see myself out....
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It's one thing to knowingly buy a MM, but it's frustrating when pet stores sell them to people who honestly don't know better. Now the question is about that "one year old" bit they told you: is that when he molted or is that when they got him (pet stores often give an age, but unless they bred the slings themselves and know without a doubt, it's just a meaningless number)? If he matured a year ago, they sold you an animal at the very end of it's lifespan. I don't know if I would even bother trying to find him a mate since you can't confirm his ultimate molt date, so he could easily be well past his prime. I would just keep him as best as you can. But if you notice that he's still making sperm webs or drumming his pedipalps, it might be worth trying.
The even more frustrating part to me is that they probably didn't even know he was mature when they sold him to you
The even more frustrating part to me is that they probably didn't even know he was mature when they sold him to you
He does look a little battered... I wouldn't worry about mating him or arguing with the pet shop to take him back. Give him a nice home and enjoy him! I'm sure he'll be as fascinating to watch as any other T.
You can get really creative with their enclosures but also do just fine with a water dish and a hide. I would fill that enclosure at least halfway with substrate though and keep it dry. Too much height and he could easily climb on the lid and fall.
Good luck!
You can get really creative with their enclosures but also do just fine with a water dish and a hide. I would fill that enclosure at least halfway with substrate though and keep it dry. Too much height and he could easily climb on the lid and fall.
Good luck!
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He is far from a year old, unless they mean a year mature. Did you ask when he molted last with them? That is the information you need.Oh no! I just called the store I got him from they said he's about a year old
I would definitely offer him up for loan for breeding!
I'm not sure the store didn't keep track but i will let you know he did eat his first meal! I don't think he ate for so long he just grabbed it so fast!