Death Curl-Like Stance?

[joossa]

I was about to clean out my B. hamorii's water tonight and as I approached her tank, I immediately noticed she was in some kind of death curl looking stance. I kind of panicked and took some quick pictures (took less than a minute).

After taking the pictures, I went to remove the tank lid clamps so I could remove the lid. To my surprise, right after taking the first lid clamp off (there are four total), her legs sprung back out and she went back into a normal stance. I checked how responsive she'd be and poked her softly with a paint brush. She was very responsive and moved along as I poked her fine. Pictures below.

I called my brother, who has been keeping Ts for years and said she may have been doing some grooming. I didn't notice her cleaning her legs or anything like that since I was rushing to take the pics and then open the tank up.

I am still alarmed and want to get all of your opinions. Do T's go into a death curl-like stance without being in a dire situation? My T always has access to water (she has two water bowls) and has a good size abdomen. She hasn't eaten since I got her in late Jan 2021, though (she's refused food). I saw her moving around a bit in her enclosure today per normal. Thoughts?


Pics of her in the death curl-like stance:

Pics of her 30 seconds later after taking the lid off:

Pic of her after I poked her with a paint brush a couple times and she moved:

 

[BoyFromLA]

My Encyocratella olivacea often does that.







1. It could be just faking.
2. It could be dehydrated.

Either way, check if your tarantula is in need of water.

 

[viper69]

Quit poking!

Your T is fine looking from here.

 

[joossa]

I doubt dehydration is the issue. She has two bowls. I know she gets her feet in them almost every night since there is a bit of soil in them the day after I change them every single time, which indicates she is able to find them when she needs to.

 

[viper69]

I doubt dehydration is the issue. She has two bowls. I know she gets her feet in them almost every night since there is a bit of soil in them the day after I change them every single time, which indicates she is able to find them when she needs to.

There’s nothing to worry about then

Have had Ts make similar body posture

 

[BoyFromLA]

It has to be that posture to groom that leg by the way.

 

[MrGhostMantis]

They were grooming their legs.

 

[Andrea82]

Just a B.hamorii taking a bath. Nothing to worry about.
Please don't poke your spider.

 

[Matt Man]

T Yoga

 

[darkness975]

I was about to clean out my B. hamorii's water tonight and as I approached her tank, I immediately noticed she was in some kind of death curl looking stance. I kind of panicked and took some quick pictures (took less than a minute).

After taking the pictures, I went to remove the tank lid clamps so I could remove the lid. To my surprise, right after taking the first lid clamp off (there are four total), her legs sprung back out and she went back into a normal stance. I checked how responsive she'd be and poked her softly with a paint brush. She was very responsive and moved along as I poked her fine. Pictures below.

I called my brother, who has been keeping Ts for years and said she may have been doing some grooming. I didn't notice her cleaning her legs or anything like that since I was rushing to take the pics and then open the tank up.

I am still alarmed and want to get all of your opinions. Do T's go into a death curl-like stance without being in a dire situation? My T always has access to water (she has two water bowls) and has a good size abdomen. She hasn't eaten since I got her in late Jan 2021, though (she's refused food). I saw her moving around a bit in her enclosure today per normal. Thoughts?


Pics of her in the death curl-like stance:

Pics of her 30 seconds later after taking the lid off:

Pic of her after I poked her with a paint brush a couple times and she moved:

It's fine.

 

[jrh3]

A few of mine do this from time to time.

 

[JPG]

I've had a lot of my Ts in this posture quite frequently and I'm still on the watch. Never had Ts die from it but it seems that this is a normal thing.
Although I saw one of them in a similar posture while twitching its leg vigorously, that I'm still concerned about.