Help!! My tarantula jumped, then fell!!!

[TheMeltedHeart]

Today I purchased an antillas pinktoe tarantula, (avicularia versicolor.) She is a juvenile. I took her out of the container to put her in her new home but she jumped out of my hand and landed on the carpet. The distance being 18 inches, while she is about 2 and a half inches. Yes I know I should have been more careful but all I want to know is if she will be okay or not. I already know she is arboreal so they can jump, nothing is oozing out of her body and I put her in her home safely. Also, before when she landed on the carpet she ran a bit so i don't know if that means she's okay or not. However she hasn't moved much but will she be alright? Please tell me, I'm really freaked out and worried if she will die or not.

- Ann

 

[miss moxie]

No one can really answer this question because no one can say for sure. If she was in pre-molt it could really mess her up internally. That said, she should be fine. Arboreal tarantulas are better made for falling/jumping. They have to be, given their natural habitat.

Just keep an eye on her, keep water available for her to drink, and be more careful in the future.

 

[Nightshady]

Fortunately arboreals are much more resistant to fall injuries than terrestrials. It’s my understanding the most serious fall injury is a ruptured abdomen, so if you don’t see any wounds on the abdomen, you’re probably OK unless there was some internal injuries.

 

[TheMeltedHeart]

She is moving around in her enclosure just fine. Also, I don't think she was in pre-molt because she was eating a cricket while I brought her home and when she jumped. I'm surprised she didn't bite when I caught her, considering she was really spooked.

 

[Venom1080]

Hopefully you'll understand now that handling is a dumb choice. And handling avics is probably the worst, because they are big time jumpers.


Fortunately, I'd be amazed if it died. These guys are built for falls like that.

 

[Anoplogaster]

I would recommend getting into the habit of using catch cups and prodding tools to rehouse tarantulas of any species. Go from one container to another, either on the floor or in a controlled space like a bath tub. No need to use your hands.

 

[ccTroi]

get that animal on a leash.

 

[miss moxie]

She is moving around in her enclosure just fine. Also, I don't think she was in pre-molt because she was eating a cricket while I brought her home and when she jumped. I'm surprised she didn't bite when I caught her, considering she was really spooked.

Sometimes juveniles will eat right up to their molt. It's not common, but it does happen. It happens more often with slings. I had a C. versicolor sling eat half a wax worm and then molt within the 24 hours I left it in there. They can surprise you sometimes. And typically this genus isn't known for it's bite. It was scared and would rather flee than fight. A bite takes up valuable 'get the eff out of here' time. At that size it wouldn't even phase a predator as large as you.

But yeah, as said above, get into using catch cups, and doing rehouses on the floor. Especially if you've got carpet or even better-- long carpeting. It really slows a T down. Not sure if it's the tarsal claws catching on the fiber, the dense hairs on their feet they use for climbing, or a combo of both.

 

[BC1579]

I personally like 1 liter water bottles as transfer devices. They’re usually wide enough to capture most Ts, elongated enough so your hand doesn’t have to be right on top of them, and the taper of the bottle from wide end to spout really lets the T feel snuggled and secure.

Plus they’re usually clear so you can see the T and are safe for use in terms of chemicals in the plastic. I cut the base of the bottles off low enough to maximize the overall length of the device.

I put a few holes in the sides of the bottle and one through the cap to allow a straw or chopstick or other prodding device in to coax the T out. Remember not to cover a hole with a finger during a transfer as they could potentially bite that small piece of flesh.

I even have a square one (Fiji brand, I think) that lets me catch a T if it’s in a corner - something round bottles aren’t always the best at.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Had personally viewed once a P.cambridgei sling of not even 2 cm literally 'jump and kinda parachute landing' off from a furniture higher more than one meter. When the bugger touched the cold floor he started to run and I've catch cupped him (I've said 'he' - 'him' - because bugger was a male and turned MM in not even two years, btw).

A funny note is that said sling managed to survive without issues for 16 days inside a parcel (into a little vial) arrived from UK. Impressive.
When he (the receiver, I mean) unpacked the spiders I was present (he called me for the set up, an advice etc) but in no time, he opened the vial without saying nothing to me - and I've warned him and bam! that little 'greenish' dastard went off in the blink of an eye... obviously, logical, since arboreals 'escape route' is up. Then he jumped from that furniture, on the floor, like nothing.

 

[Angel Minkov]

Unless it ruptured its abdomen, which I find unlikely, it will be fine.

 

[WoofSpider]

This exact scenario happened to me with my first T. It was my Avicularia avicularia. I was worried for days, but no damage ever came from it.

Don't be discouraged and do listen to the advice offered here. In a few months, and with a bit more experience, you will know how to avoid all kinds of accidents like this.

F.Y.I. Avicularia versicolor was changed to Caribena versicolor a few months ago.

 

[viper69]

so i don't know if that means she's oka

It doesn't. Keep an eye on abdominal size, scan body/legs for liquid, ie blood.
It will likely we OK, but no one here can guarantee it.

 

[edesign]

Sometimes juveniles will eat right up to their molt. It's not common, but it does happen. It happens more often with slings. I had a C. versicolor sling eat half a wax worm and then molt within the 24 hours I left it in there. They can surprise you sometimes.

Can you clarify which species and at what size have you observed this behavior in juveniles? I ask size since different ppl will apply the terms at different sizes. Slings, sure, juvies...I've not noticed this even with pigs like cyaneopubescens and parahybana juveniles. There has always been a period of feeding inactivity with the ones I've raised (many).

 

[miss moxie]

Can you clarify which species and at what size have you observed this behavior in juveniles? I ask size since different ppl will apply the terms at different sizes. Slings, sure, juvies...I've not noticed this even with pigs like cyaneopubescens and parahybana juveniles. There has always been a period of feeding inactivity with the ones I've raised (many).

I don't know if there is a golden standard to size versus age, but I take into consideration what their adult size is supposed to be. So for me a 2" C. versicolor would be a juvenile, but a 2" Pamphobeteus sling would be a spiderling. I've had A. geniculata accept food the day before popping, around 3.5", L. klugi accepted food right up until two days before popping, around 3".

I might have seen it more, but these are the most recent incidences so I remember the exact specimen who did it.

 

[CyclingSam]

An arboreal jumping 18 inches to carpet doesn't seem like a big deal to me. I am betting it will be just fine. Try and be more careful in the future.

 

[edesign]

I don't know if there is a golden standard to size versus age, but I take into consideration what their adult size is supposed to be. So for me a 2" C. versicolor would be a juvenile, but a 2" Pamphobeteus sling would be a spiderling. I've had A. geniculata accept food the day before popping, around 3.5", L. klugi accepted food right up until two days before popping, around 3".

I might have seen it more, but these are the most recent incidences so I remember the exact specimen who did it.

Interesting, thank you, first-hand info is the bestest I have two genics 5-6" now that I've had since small and two Lp's, one is thirteen and the other going on a year, haven't observed that in either species at those sizes nor other species with similar growth rates and appetites. Must be the special sauce you put on the prey