greenbottle blue fangs stuck in molt

[Moakmeister]

I dont even think the fangs are all that went wrong with this molt. This tarantula looks like it got stepped on

 

[Arachnophoric]

I dont even think the fangs are all that went wrong with this molt. This tarantula looks like it got stepped on

I certainly agree. The legs and abdomen just don't look quite right, either

 

[malinbjorg]

Good point. Worst case scenario, it still dies. Best case scenario, it survives and maybe even recovers. But unfortunately OP seems nervous to try surgically removing the molt, and rightly so. In the event it doesn't work, it could cause the T some unnecessary pain/stress before death. Not sure how well the poor thing can still move, but OP said it was a skittish specimen. But besides letting things pass naturally or euthanization, it really seems to be the only other option.

I'm still quite curious as to what that white substance is on the left legs though.

i really dont know what that white substance is...i saw it the day after the molt

 

[malinbjorg]

I certainly agree. The legs and abdomen just don't look quite right, either

iknow...i just dont know where this went wrong

 

[malinbjorg]

i really dont know what that white substance is...i saw it the day after the molt

he can turn around and move a bit on its own, but he still moves poorly...

 

[malinbjorg]

do anyone have a suggestion to what i can use to remove the molt myself..?

 

[Ungoliant]

do anyone have a suggestion to what i can use to remove the molt myself..?

Tiny tools, such as tweezers and scissors. A magnifying glass may also help.

 

[malinbjorg]

Tiny tools, such as tweezers and scissors. A magnifying glass may also help.

okay thanks

 

[Ungoliant]

okay thanks

Any updates?

 

[malinbjorg]

Any updates?

i cant get the molt of and hes not getting better...what should i do?

 

[Ungoliant]

i cant get the molt of and hes not getting better...what should i do?

I'm not sure that much can be done, but maybe some other members will have some ideas for you to try.

I noticed when attempting to perform similar surgery (for a much worse molt) that putting a little water on the old, stuck exoskeleton made it easier to work with.

 

[Toxoderidae]

@cold blood this almost appears like a wet molt to me. This seems exactly like the wet molt my A. avic had, where she looked just like this GBB, and she had 2 of her legs stuck in the molt.

 

[malinbjorg]

I'm not sure that much can be done, but maybe some other members will have some ideas for you to try.

I noticed when attempting to perform similar surgery (for a much worse molt) that putting a little water on the old, stuck exoskeleton made it easier to work with.

i can try with more water. i used small drops but it just seemed like they were falling of the old exoskeleton

 

[Ungoliant]

i can try with more water. i used small drops but it just seemed like they were falling of the old exoskeleton

Do you have any tiny scissors? You may be able to cut the old exoskeleton off without damaging the new chelicerae. (Be careful!) If you can work a thin piece of metal under the old exoskeleton, you may also be able to open it in a method similar to opening crab legs (where you gently put upward pressure on the old exoskeleton from beneath until a crack forms, slide down a bit, and repeat the process to lengthen the crack).

 

[malinbjorg]

i can try...thank you

 

[malinbjorg]

Do you have any tiny scissors? You may be able to cut the old exoskeleton off without damaging the new chelicerae. (Be careful!) If you can work a thin piece of metal under the old exoskeleton, you may also be able to open it in a method similar to opening crab legs (where you gently put upward pressure on the old exoskeleton from beneath until a crack forms, slide down a bit, and repeat the process to lengthen the crack).

can i flip it over so it would get easier to get a grip on the old molt? or would it just stress him?

 

[malinbjorg]

i was able te get the molt of. it took a bit of time and a lot of patience...but i think it went pretty good. now he's resting in a dark and quiet room. he drank some water as well

 

[Arachnophoric]

i was able te get the molt of. it took a bit of time and a lot of patience...but i think it went pretty good. now he's resting in a dark and quiet room. he drank some water as well

Yay! Looks like the hardest part is over. Fingers crossed for the little guy, and that there's a happier ending than I was initially expecting. All things considered, his fangs don't look as bad as I thought they would.

 

[nicodimus22]

Congratulations. So often these bad molts are death sentences...I hope it recovers well.

 

[Ungoliant]

i was able te get the molt of. it took a bit of time and a lot of patience...but i think it went pretty good. now he's resting in a dark and quiet room. he drank some water as well

For the benefit of those who may find this thread while researching a similar problem, what tools and technique did you use to get the exuviae off the jaws and fangs?