Gravid or just chunky???

[Jeff_C]

Hey All,

I picked up a Costa Rican Tiger Rump (Cyclosternum fasciatum) today at my local pet store (courtesy of Philth) and we think she may be gravid.

I know she's kinda smallish (as is the species) but she refused food recently even as she has gotten larger.

Opinions please....

Thanks,
Jeff

I couldn't get a picture of it but her abdomen is incredibly thick from top to bottom too.

 

[conipto]

If you mean her abdomen is putting on size without eating, then I'd say it could be a possibility. However, if by 'getting bigger' you mean she molted, then no, she won't be gravid. I've found this species plumps up really easily, and I'm somewhat careful not to overfeed them.

Bill

 

[Gillian]

Jeff,
WOW! As Bill said, if she's molted, no go on the babies..If so, you're really in danger of her "popping" with the girth she has there.
But, I was nearly there with mine. (I miss my baby. He/ she's in great hands now.) With some of these guys, (blondis and such), its hard to not feed them lots, as they have such a strong feeding response.
Peace,
Gillian

 

[Jeff_C]

Since I just got this gal I don't have the details on feeding other than she has recently rejected food and according to Tom (Philth) she hasn't molted in his care and he doesn't think she is overfed.

I will keep in mind that they are strong feeders so I will not keep my hopes up too high...but...assuming she is gravid is there something special I should be doing (i.e. high humidity, hiding places, reduced/increased temperature)???


Thanks,
Jeff

btw, she is a very fast T and put me through some gyrations to get her in her enclosure and get these pics.

 

[RugbyDave]

Hey man,

def. try to get your hands on some molt records.

look for some odd webbing around...
alot of my Ts go off food before dropping a sac... especially my avics...

can you get a good side pic? I've noticed that once the abdomen starts to double back over the opisthoma, its a fairly good sign, unless overfeeding is the answer.

i keep my gravid Ts in a bit higher temp, but i don't worry NECCESARILY about the humidity or anything else untill a sac drops, in which case i'll go into action...

gravidness is something, at least to me, that's fairly obvious.. however, if you just got a new T, its very hard to get a hold on. I've noticed a couple Ts tend to get a bit bigger before a molt too (i've noticed this with my Pt.sp's)...

i was also reading up on a couple research papers that talked about the setae on many Ts turning darker or a different hue before a molt.. NOT THE SKIN ITSELF, but the actual Setae, which, untill now, has been unheard of. The trouble is, i can't find any of the other research papers so i'm still digging through trying to find stuff.

so all in all, just keep an eye on her.

good luck man,
by the way, our arboreal eggsac is looking mighty good!!!! I decided to leave it with the mother untill I pull it to open it up!

peace
dave

 

[Philth]

Hey Jeff,
Here's a pic of mine from the same shipment.

 

[RugbyDave]

def just wait and see man.... hopefully you'll be having tons of VERY SMALL slings soon!!

Im sure if Terri was replying she'd say "im crossing all 8 legs for you"

i'm holding you to first Dibs, by the way.. you better keep your word =D

pce
dave

 

[Jeff_C]

Here's a side shot that might clear things up:

She's huge compared to yours Philth. Amazing.

I'm just gonna let her be and feed her plenty of Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey

Let's hope this happens...


Jeff

 

[Hairyspider]

costa ricans

they are sure cool lookin, hows their temperement?

Thanks

William

 

[Jeff_C]

The arachnopets care sheet has them as "Semi-Defensive - More Nervous". So far (24 hours), I would say my gal is very skittish and very quick.

I have seen other pictures and they are a nice looking T.

Jeff

 

[RugbyDave]

well you know my thoughts Jeffro

looks pretty good as far as gravidness goes, and if its going to drop an eggsac, it should be fairly soon.. its just been about 2 months in philth's care, and if you dont have anything fairly soon, its probably just food?

but hope for gravidness, cos that'll mean between the two of us, we'll have around 500 slings

and like i told you, if the eggsac does drop, i'll walk you through the easy way to work with it. It's really made out to be more work than it is.. the first eggsac is a memorable one.. actually.. they all are

let's start taking bets .. I'll say... oh.. within 2 weeks?


peace
dave

 

[Felkon]

Definitely gravid. My Okie Brown T isn't quite that fat and she isnt preggie as far as I know. I guess I'm just feeding her too much.