Death curl! +water

[LdLrLyChLd]

So, my Y. diversipes (1/2”) is dying and I’d like some suggestions. I had the same species die when I first started the hobby, and basically had everyone tell me my substrate was way too moist, even though it spent it’s last few hours immediately above water dish like it had sought it out.
My current issue:
Came home to a tarantula, very sluggish and tight death curled into the only slightly moist section of substrate left in it’s enclosure. After the last death, I’ve been horribly paranoid of overwatering, so I removed its water dish a couple weeks ago since I overflowed the dish too much. Since then, the wet substrate has almost completely dried up. It molted several days ago as well. Upon seeing this death curl and dried out substrate, I put a full but teeny water dish, sunk it into substrate. I watched it walk over, (not too sluggishly) put its front legs in the water and it began drinking. It’s still in that position, 30 mins later. Is it time to remove water dish? Can it drown when it’s so sick?
I thought of ICU but remembered that’s not great for this kind of tarantula since they’re known more to die in that type of humidity.

 

[tewebag]

Can it drown when it’s so sick?

No. They naturally repel water making them float.

If it is as dehydrated as it seems you can only really attempt to flip it on its back and place a drop of water on its mouth parts. You will need to replace that water droplet about once a hour or so until the T is able to right itself and make its way to the water dish.
Death curl that soon after a molt sounds like it is very dehydrated.

Keeping a water dish in all enclosures helps this stuff not happen, just use a pipette or something to only fill what is needed.

 

[Greasylake]

If it's able to walk over to a dish and put its face in it then it isn't necessary for you to flip it over, I really only recommend that if the spider is really knockin on heaven's door. Just keep the water dish full and let it drink to its heart's content, it should be okay, especially since it's drinking on its own. I have a B. hamorii that I bought off of craigslist, and to the guy's credit was pretty healthy and had molted fine, but it was a little dehydrated when I got it. I noticed her legs were starting to curl so I dropped in a water dish and filled it way up. Shortly after I found her drinking from the dish and she kept her face dunked in it for hours. The day after her legs were stretched out nicely and she was readily taking food again. Moral of the story is just let it drink and make sure it has access to water at all times.

 

[LdLrLyChLd]

Thank you!
After drinking, it turned and sat for awhile, not curled up. Only hours later it’s crawling up the enclosure, I’m sure it’ll be in it’s web soon. What a freaking relief! I will heed all above advice, thanks for your time!

 

[Teal]

A little bit of moistened sub when filling the water dish isn't a death sentence if your enclosure is properly ventilated.

Not having access to water after a molt certainly CAN be a death sentence.

It sounds like you got water to your little guy just in time!

 

[The Grym Reaper]

A little bit of moistened sub when filling the water dish isn't a death sentence if your enclosure is properly ventilated.

This, I keep Avic/Caribena slings on slightly moist sub like I would with any other sling, never had an issue.

Ventilation is the key here.

 

[cold blood]

Keep in mind, their front half can remain submerged indefinitely...they do not breathe through their mouth....book lungs are on the backside.