Injured from molt...

[EulersK]

... and all's fine.

(clicky)


This is a recent sexually mature female N. coloratovillosus. About 5" dls, she recently and enthusiastically took her first meal since molting. All seems to be well.

Apparently, part of her carapace ripped off during the molting process and left an injury. Mainly, I wanted to display that tarantulas can heal. They may not be able to heal as well as some mammals, but they're not defenseless. However, this is my first "battle scarred" tarantula. Does anyone else have pictures of tarantula scars?

Such pictures, I'm sure, are rare. Scars heal completely in 1-3 molts, so they're generally not permanent. Care to share?

 

[Walker253]

I have a P cancerides that had a wound after a molt. Can't find the pic yet. I wanted to sell her, but wanted to wait until the next molt to make sure she's ok. Well she molted a few weeks ago, the scar is still there. At least I don't feel like the next molt may be her last.

 

[Ellenantula]

The main thing is to assure them they are still valued members of the T society and that their scars only prove their strength and resilience; yannoe -- increase morale to build their self-esteem.

 

[viper69]

They may not be able to heal as well as some mammals

I think growing back all of their legs puts them ahead of us in many ways

and that their scars only prove their strength and resilience

Or demonstrates that an animal is unfit for survival, after all, many don't have such issues in a population. I'm just messing around, sorta.

 

[EulersK]

I think growing back all of their legs puts them ahead of us in many ways

Well, I meant more along the lines of short term Our skin grows back fairly easily, but any scrapes they get are permanent until the next molt (at least).

 

[viper69]

Well, I meant more along the lines of short term Our skin grows back fairly easily, but any scrapes they get are permanent until the next molt (at least).

Ohh hahahaah

 

[spotropaicsav]

We have a G. rosea that had the tip of a leg get stuck in a molt and it scarred, leaving that part of the leg hairless and slightly malformed. It just molted recently and is looking healed, but I haven't inspected closely

 

[mconnachan]

We have a G. rosea that had the tip of a leg get stuck in a molt and it scarred, leaving that part of the leg hairless and slightly malformed. It just molted recently and is looking healed, but I haven't inspected closely

After another molt or once you've inspected more closely you'll see it has regenerated the end of its leg, amazing creatures, regeneration, sticking to glass, walking upside down on ceilings - nature at its finest.