Help! feet don't stick?

[Spike]

I vaugly remember someome posting somthing about this in the forum. Basically the thread said that the spider in question could not climb or stick to surfaces any more and eventually died (A.avic). My versi is my favorite T and I have gotten very attached to her. She is having the same problem right now and when she tries she just falls and lays there on her back exhuasted from the effort (its really heartbreaking to watch) . I am really worried about this I dont want to loose this T so if anyone could help please do.

Thanks spike

 

[noboyscout]

Get a piece of cork bark and lean it against the enclosure. The rough surface should make for easier climbing.

 

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by noboyscout
Get a piece of cork bark and lean it against the enclosure. The rough surface should make for easier climbing.

That doesn't help the problem, though. I've got a small A. avic sling exhibiting the same problem. It's got "suitable" climbing surfaces that it can grip but that doens't stop it from trying to climb the sides of the vial like all its Avic neighbors and falling.

I'm kind of bummed. I won the 5 slings from MizM. The postal service screwed up and only 3 were alive by the time I got them. Then one of them just never adapted, refused to feed, and died. Of the 2 that are left only one is really thriving. The other one is doing fair but has this "I can't climb" problem.

Unfortunately, what I know about the problem or what it will mean is about as much as Spike.

 

[SkyeSpider]

Tarantulas (especially arboreals) have special hairs on the ends of their feet that let them climb glass. Sometimes these hairs break off. They'll be back the next time the spider molts. Until then, you need to give it something it can climb with its claws (cork bark, etc).

I've had this happen to a few of my tarantulas. It really ups their stress levels if they can't climb, and that's likely what leads to loss of appitite or an unexplained death.

Just stick it out, and try to keep the spider as unstressed as possible. It should be fine in time. Good luck!

-Bryan

EDIT: Just to add, I've never had a spider die from this, but have had six spiders come down with this problem.

 

[Spike]

CM my condolences for your losses. This is basically what I have done. I have covered every inch of plastic with a fake plant I bought a few years ago with a very coarse (but still T friendly) surface. I have added a peice of cork bark and made sure if my versi falls she can climb back up (cork bark or plants). Just recently my spider has exhibeted loss of appetite as well. I am going to leave her alone all day untill this evening and then try to get her to eat. How does this sound so far?

 

[Code Monkey]

It sounds fine to me. Tarantula medicine really comes down to: support the spider and try not to stress it further. I'm with Bryan on it *should* come out of it if you can get it to its next moult. What I want to know is: what causes the damage to the tarsal pads in the first place.

Is the loss of "spider powers" due to an arbitrary accident the cause of the loss of appetite and failure to thrive, or is something behind all three? Not knowing is the worse part of these problems.

 

[SkyeSpider]

I'm totally clueless on what causes this. I've been trying to figure it out since I first saw it.

Most recently, my X. intermedia came down with this problem. It liked to climb on the glass and lid a lot. It never fell, but one day it just couldn't do it anymore. She's doing really well, but I'm sure that's because she's a terestrial and it wouldn't stress her very much.

It could have something to do with them breaking off in the silicone sealant on aquariums, or shaving them off through a screen or mesh lid. Those are the only theories I have.

-Bryan

 

[Code Monkey]

Wouldn't explain it in the case of my sling. It's in a plastic vial, with nylon canvas for the screen and hotglued in place. No silicone, no real screen, no clue for me which is why I think about more nefarious causes.

 

[Spike]

I also am very interested to know what causes this problem. I am going to do some research as well as E-mailing and as soon as I get responses I will post them in this thread. Thanks guys for all your help.

 

[chuck]

would it be stressful if you kept it in a narrow container, where it can reach the top of the tank while still standing on the ground? just do that till its next molt and put it back into an arboreal setup. a high fall will kill the T, but then again it wont be able to get that high if it cant climb

EDIT: maybe there is something in the substrate that is removing these hairs. i know this may sound stupid, but the peat moss that has high acidity maybe burning the hairs off?
look for something that all these Ts have in common.

 

[greensleeves]

Originally posted by chuck
EDIT: maybe there is something in the substrate that is removing these hairs. i know this may sound stupid, but the peat moss that has high acidity maybe burning the hairs off?
look for something that all these Ts have in common.

That's a good point. What if you all listed every single aspect of your T husbandry and looked for everything in common?

This sounds like a heartbreaking situation for any T owner to go through, and if we can establish a preventable cause it would be beneficial to everyone.

I would hate for that to happen to Bungee. Of course he rarely, if ever, touches his substrate. He's always in his web, sitting on a wall, or on his plant.

Good luck guys! I hope you can save your lil fellas.

Greensleeves

 

[Code Monkey]

I would not think it's anything to do with husbandry. I treat all my arboreal slings the same. One pinktoe out of more than a dozen arboreals does not a pattern make.

 

[Kayv]

ok now my versicolor sling has this problem. I cleaned out her vile and in the process destroyed the webbing. well now she cant climb up the side of the wall. i feel so much like crap, i havent even had that sling for 2 weeks.

 

[Spike]

Hopefully the answer

I just received an email from Rick West and this is what he says

"'Veterninary' health care in tarantulas is an unknown world
... we know little of the ills they get. I 'suspect' your
tarantula has internal nematode worms (common and acquired
through crickets). The internal worms excrete toxic bacteria
into the spider which eventually kills the spider. Soon it
stops eating, starts to loose weight, then die in a spasmodic
episode ... nothing can be done. Part of the problem is that
terrariums/humidity is too high and ideal for parasitic
nematode worms and mites. Arboreals only need a water dish
and not a lot of humidity, some people tendd to make their
terrariums to 'steamy' ... lethal to spiders. Nematode worms
and mites are all pests in the hobby with no cures at this
time.
Without your spider in hand, this is only a guess.
Rick C. West"

Now I would like to hear responses to what you guys think. I feel the more input we get the closer we will get to solving the problem.

Thanks again guys

 

[Kayv]

Hey I remember the sling climbing arounf my hands and palms. Our hands contain an oil which i read isnt good for many sensitive pets such as chameleons (because i had chameleons at the time and read this in a care book) well could it be possible that the sling got some of this oil on the tips of her feet where those special hairs are? if so maybe the oil is slippery and this may prevent them from climbing.

 

[chuck]

Nematode worms
are those the little white things that crawl? i remember someone stating that there was a difference btwn brown and white mites, could what i have had not be a white mite?
I HATE CRICKETS

 

[Code Monkey]

I think Rick is taking a stab in the dark and may not be very close to the mark. I have lost a sling to nematodes so I am familiar with that problem and I do not believe that to be the case here. While I don't know what your husbandry practices are, mine are not objectively prone to this problem (nor would I guess Bryan's who has seen this can't climb problem multiple times). My arboreal slings are kept very well ventilated without excess moisture and the only thing the A. avic slings were ever fed were roach nymphs and termites raised by me.

It's also not a known fact yet if crickets are the nematode/bacterial duo vector.

So, while it's always a possibility, I'd be reasonably optimistic until it stops eating, doesn't moult, and dies. Small slings will probably manifest the fecal plug in their anus if it is nematodes, though, so keep an eye out for that tell tale sign.

 

[Spike]

Just so that you know CM I did respond to his E-mail due to the fact I read no refrence made to the tarsal pads. I am not too sure about nematodes so I did not know if this was a given symptom.

 

[Spike]

Sorry this took so long guys but here is what I got.

"Tarsal pads are needed to secure prey, walk on smooth surfaces
and a few other tasks, and are kept in prime condition by running
them through the 'cheliceral teeth' & comb and the mouth. This
filters/washes out any impurities that adhere to the pads over
time. When nematode worms start to debilitate the spider as well
as clog the buccal opening (mouth), the spider is unable to clean
the tarsal pads. It looses grip and huddles on the ground
awaiting the end. "
RCW