Mature male rose

[afisher]

Hi,

My Rose if definitely a mature male, hooks on legs etc.

He seems quite happy, eating plenty. But his back legs are very thin and no hair, they also seem trapped between his shell and abdomen.

Is this normal or is he on his last legs - excuse the pun

Andy

 

[Fierce Deity]

What do you mean by trapped between his "shell" and abdomen?

 

[afisher]

It looks like his rear legs have moved round from the notch in his shell and are coming out almost parallel to his abdomen

Cheers

Andy

 

[bonesmama]

Could you post a pic? I'm having trouble envisioning what you described.

 

[Fierce Deity]

Tarantulas have an exoskeleton, not a shell?:?
It would help if you posted a pic.
Does he have trouble walking?

 

[afisher]

I've tried to take a photo but I can't get near enough without using the flash which I worried will frighten him. It looks like his third pair of legs are where his fourth should be and his fourth further round

He seems to walk ok except that the last bit (foot) of one of his rear legs is missing. Both legs are expremely thin - typical 3mm at top and 1mm at tip

Hope this helps

Andy

 

[MindUtopia]

I'm also not sure what you are trying to describe. Did he just molt out mature and this is what he looked like? Or has this seemed to happen since his last molt? Tarantulas can't really change their exoskeleton or body structure in any way without going through a molt, so whatever this is it's been there at least since he matured. If he can walk and has built a sperm web, he should be able to breed, which is really the main thing at this point. I don't think the legs have as much to do with how much he has left to live as time since maturity.

 

[NeilD]

It looks like his rear legs have moved round from the notch in his shell and are coming out almost parallel to his abdomen

Cheers

Andy

Are you sure he hasn't lost his rear legs and what you are seeing is the next pair, I think males can loose bit in their penultimate moult