Death curl, clumsy and twitching movements after molting of my T. What can I do?

T

Tavikou

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Joined
Nov 26, 2022
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6
Hello, I should be sleeping right now, but I'm making this post instead. I hope I'll get some recognition because I've already tried reddit and discord without help.
The topic is my L.sazimai L3, he molted like 3 days ago and instantly after that I see him behave in that way you see in videos...
He was staying in his nest for like 2 weeks before molting, everything seemed fine. After molting I haven't seen any signs of hemolymph anywhere and also his body looks fine to me.
I managed to transport him into new enclosure (it's the one in the videos). I also tried to force him to drink from water dish, he touched the water but didn't want to drink.
Sometimes he moves a bit to the sides but most of the time he is twitching in one spot...

What does it look like to you? Is it DKS? Dehydration? I'd like to know for the future and also if I can help him somehow. Maybe higher temperature or humidity...

PS. First two videos from the left are recorded after the third one (death curl one). He moves when I gently force him to.
View attachment 20241119_101909.mp4
View attachment 20241119_192607.mp4
View attachment 20241119_101407.mp4
 
WolfieKate

WolfieKate

Arachnopeon
Active Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2024
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23
I would just leave him alone honestly. After a molt they are so drained. Its exhausting. Some of mine haven‘t moved for a week after and stayed burrowed. Some were back on their feet an hour later. Leave at a good temp, with water and just let it recover and it will take over a week for its skeleton to harden up. Its easy to get concerned but they’re best left alone in such a vulnerable time.
 
T

Tavikou

Arachnopeon
Joined
Nov 26, 2022
Messages
6
Thanks for the reply! Finally some reasurrance words.
Tbh from my description it could look like I was tormenting him but not really. Only twice through 3 days. I haven't touched him in quite some time. I'll believe in him.
 
Mustafa67

Mustafa67

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243
Tavikou said:
Hello, I should be sleeping right now, but I'm making this post instead. I hope I'll get some recognition because I've already tried reddit and discord without help.
The topic is my L.sazimai L3, he molted like 3 days ago and instantly after that I see him behave in that way you see in videos...
He was staying in his nest for like 2 weeks before molting, everything seemed fine. After molting I haven't seen any signs of hemolymph anywhere and also his body looks fine to me.
I managed to transport him into new enclosure (it's the one in the videos). I also tried to force him to drink from water dish, he touched the water but didn't want to drink.
Sometimes he moves a bit to the sides but most of the time he is twitching in one spot...

What does it look like to you? Is it DKS? Dehydration? I'd like to know for the future and also if I can help him somehow. Maybe higher temperature or humidity...

PS. First two videos from the left are recorded after the third one (death curl one). He moves when I gently force him to.
View attachment 486789
View attachment 486787
View attachment 486788
Click to expand...
WAIT
 
Tarantuland

Tarantuland

Arachnoprince
Joined
Mar 19, 2020
Messages
1,375
I don’t see anything alarming but I wouldn’t poke a tarantula that fresh. Doesn’t look like a death curl to me. Even if somethings wrong there’s not much you can do
 
T

Tavikou

Arachnopeon
Joined
Nov 26, 2022
Messages
6
This was recorded 3 days ago. You can see how he straighten up and he does that from time to time. Most of the time he is staying in one spot and I can see how his legs are moving slightly in weird way. It's first time I encounter something like this. I know that I can't do much, nevertheless I just want to leave info for anybody else who could also encounter this behavior.
View attachment 20241118_192745.mp4
 
WolfieKate

WolfieKate

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Sep 16, 2024
Messages
23
They all stretch out their legs differently as the new skin hardens. My Davus Pentaloris made quite frantic leg twitches, but others stayed stock still for a week and then stretched out fully against the side of the enclosure. I would guess thats what your spider wants to do to accommodate the growth of its new body. Leave it to do its thing. In the very early stages they are pumping hemolymph into their new legs. Its looks odd depending on the species.
 
Arachnophobphile

Arachnophobphile

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Dec 24, 2018
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923
Tavikou said:
Hello, I should be sleeping right now, but I'm making this post instead. I hope I'll get some recognition because I've already tried reddit and discord without help.
The topic is my L.sazimai L3, he molted like 3 days ago and instantly after that I see him behave in that way you see in videos...
He was staying in his nest for like 2 weeks before molting, everything seemed fine. After molting I haven't seen any signs of hemolymph anywhere and also his body looks fine to me.
I managed to transport him into new enclosure (it's the one in the videos). I also tried to force him to drink from water dish, he touched the water but didn't want to drink.
Sometimes he moves a bit to the sides but most of the time he is twitching in one spot...

What does it look like to you? Is it DKS? Dehydration? I'd like to know for the future and also if I can help him somehow. Maybe higher temperature or humidity...

PS. First two videos from the left are recorded after the third one (death curl one). He moves when I gently force him to.
View attachment 486789
View attachment 486787
View attachment 486788
Click to expand...
That is not the mysterious DKS issue.

My advice, quit screwing around with the T. Let it be and practice correct husbandry
 
IntermittentSygnal

IntermittentSygnal

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That is a bit funky looking to me, but it’s still early after molt. There’s really not a lot you can do. I’d just make sure the room he’s in is warm (22/23ish), wet a piece or two of sphagnum moss and put it near him and then leave him be. Don’t move him.
 
Brewser

Brewser

AraneaeRebel
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Tarantulas are vulnerable Before / During / After / Molting.
Best Regards & Best Wishes
 
Last edited:
T

Tavikou

Arachnopeon
Joined
Nov 26, 2022
Messages
6
Substrate is pretty wet on the surface and also she is lying pretty close to it with fangs on it. By my perspective I think it's enough. I don't have that kind of moss - I could put some cotton cosmetic pad if it's worth and not harmful.
 
IntermittentSygnal

IntermittentSygnal

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Tavikou said:
Substrate is pretty wet on the surface and also she is lying pretty close to it with fangs on it. By my perspective I think it's enough. I don't have that kind of moss - I could put some cotton cosmetic pad if it's worth and not harmful.
Click to expand...
As long as she can reach it, you’re okay. You also mentioned substrate moisture. Don’t use cotton.
 
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