Death Curl...? PLEASE HELP!

[NuigurumiOtaku]

My 2.5"-3" Lasiodora Difficilis just moulted this morning and I just barely found him in what looked like a death curl (this is the first tarantula to ever moult in my care). I freaked out a bit and dribbled more water onto the substrate. I did startle him a bit and he moved out of it, so I don't have a picture of him in it. If he does it again I will take a pic and get it on her immediately. I've only been keeping T's for 2 months, so I'm not sure what the best course of action is. Any help to save/prevent my lil fuzzy friend from getting worse would be very appreciated. I can only hope its just post moulting behaviour and that I'm overreacting. The picture below is the position my T was in, but the pedipalps were not curled up.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

My 2.5"-3" Lasiodora Difficilis just moulted this morning and I just barely found him in what looked like a death curl (this is the first tarantula to ever moult in my care). I freaked out a bit and dribbled more water onto the substrate. I did startle him a bit and he moved out of it, so I don't have a picture of him in it. If he does it again I will take a pic and get it on her immediately. I've only been keeping T's for 2 months, so I'm not sure what the best course of action is. Any help to save/prevent my lil fuzzy friend from getting worse would be very appreciated. I can only hope its just post moulting behaviour and that I'm overreacting. The picture below is the position my T was in, but the pedipalps were not curled up.

Did the T have a shriveled abdomen? Tbh unfortunately there isn't much you can do but wait and keep an eye on her if she has moved that's a good sign just keep her water dish full, if she has moved though you probably have nothing to worry about as it could just be some post moult behaviour

 

[NuigurumiOtaku]

Did the T have a shriveled abdomen? Tbh unfortunately there isn't much you can do but wait and keep an eye on her if she has moved that's a good sign just keep her water dish full, if she has moved though you probably have nothing to worry about as it could just be some post moult behaviour

It's abdomen is definitely smaller than before moulting, but I'm pretty sure that's normal. I do have a pic of him a couple of hours ago if that helps to clarify anything.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

It's abdomen is definitely smaller than before moulting, but I'm pretty sure that's normal. I do have a pic of him a couple of hours ago if that helps to clarify anything.

You have nothing to worry about that looks like a perfectly healthy T too me it was probably just some weird post moult behaviour. Yeah the abdomen is always smaller after a moult just keep the water dish full and I usually give it about 10 days before trying to feed nice T BTW

 

[NuigurumiOtaku]

You have nothing to worry about that looks like a perfectly healthy T too me it was probably just some weird post moult behaviour. Yeah the abdomen is always smaller after a moult just keep the water dish full and I usually give it about 10 days before trying to feed nice T BTW

Thank you! Hearing someone else's take on it really helps to put me at ease. I'll keep an eye on him, but I feel better about going on with my day.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

They'll be found in all kinds of odd positions after a moult, stress curls (legs pulled in close to the body, knees covering the eye cluster) are common immediately after they right themselves, they'll eventually get to stretching. A skinny abdomen is normal after a moult and nothing to worry about, they can still go ages without food at this point, just make sure there is water available.

 

[Vanisher]

Yes they can look as they are in death curl on one side, on both side ect! This is just the way they are flexing their joints and legs and totally normal! Often when they are in those strange positions, they are also grooming pedipalos and chelicerea! A tarantula that is grooming itself is healthy, no matter what pesky pisition they are displaying

 

[mack1855]

I do have a pic

Looks perfectly fine to me.

 

[Vanessa]

They also do a lot of grooming post-moult and they can't hold themselves up on their soft legs yet. Your photo shows a perfectly fine looking spider.

 

[NuigurumiOtaku]

They'll be found in all kinds of odd positions after a moult, stress curls (legs pulled in close to the body, knees covering the eye cluster) are common immediately after they right themselves, they'll eventually get to stretching. A skinny abdomen is normal after a moult and nothing to worry about, they can still go ages without food at this point, just make sure there is water available.

That's really good to know! I noticed him being in a stress curl, but after a few days he's been moving around and stretching a lot more. Thank you for your input, I'm glad to have this information for next time!

Yes they can look as they are in death curl on one side, on both side ect! This is just the way they are flexing their joints and legs and totally normal! Often when they are in those strange positions, they are also grooming pedipalos and chelicerea! A tarantula that is grooming itself is healthy, no matter what pesky pisition they are displaying

After I calmed down, and waited a couple days he's been doing a ton of grooming. I haven't seen it much prior, so it was really cute to watch! I'm so glad to know that those positions are perfectly safe and normal after a moult. Thank you!