Mexican red knees bald spot

[hooferinsane]

Relatively new to Ts but my Mexican red knees has developed a large bald patch 1cm on back of his abdomen . I have seen him flick hairs before when I put in a new hide. Not sure if it's just where he has flicked hairs off, or indeed if stress, and ? conditions. He will still feed ok

Cheers

Brian

 

[kellysaxez]

Hello Brian,

I have raised three T's from sling to almost adulthood now, one went from a tiny baby to almost 10 inch leg span, and I know how stressing it can be when our friends seem "out of sorts". It's not like you can ask them and they can tell you what, if anything, is amiss.

Look, if you can, for any signs of mites, but it sounds to me like it's the run of the mill bald patch from flicking hairs. When your friend molts and gets its new "skin", the bald patch should be gone. Good luck

 

[pyro fiend]

Relatively new to Ts but my Mexican red knees has developed a large bald patch 1cm on back of his abdomen . I have seen him flick hairs before when I put in a new hide. Not sure if it's just where he has flicked hairs off, or indeed if stress, and ? conditions. He will still feed ok

Cheers

Brian

flicking hairs is pretty common for a brachy actually my 1/2" boehmei and 2.3-3" smithi both have bare hineys.

also if the exo is dark he may be about to molt. just a few options but its pretty normal leave it be maybe add a few places to hide that are big enough and shell be fine i doubt its stress

 

[Storm76]

Long-time captive Brachy's and other NW species with that defensive mechanism showing a "bald spot" are a sign of a) a stressed out T, or b) if bald-spot is black - premolt.

At any rate: One thing I'll probably never understand and since this just came up again I'm gonna ask if those of you that have spiders like that often interact with the same causing them to kick hairs, or what the reason is? Every single time I see a T with a bald spot that hasn't been shipped recently, I'm wondering what caused the animal to be that adamant about using that defense mechanism. Irritating prey and the like considered, I somehow get the feeling people either mess with their T's too often (no offense, just an assumption at this point), or the animal is getting annoyed about something else that causes them to lose all those hairs.

Reason I'm asking is that neither of my NWs ever showed a bald spot unless preparing to molt. I'm simply curious.

 

[cold blood]

I kind of agree storm, I wonder the same. I never have my t's flick, but then, just prior to its last pre-molt period, my B. smithi did flick hairs off of a patch on its abdomen. This was the first bald spot I have personally witnessed in many, many years...so apparently they just do it for no known reason sometimes. For the record, I'm totally hands off all of my t's.

Had to chuckle at the post about mites...lol...it has nothing to do with mites, I don't follow that logic. Plus, B. smithi should be kept bone dry, not exactly an environment conducive to mites.

Brian, you have nothing to be concerned about, its a perfectly normal defensive behavior for NW t's and will be renewed with the next molt. Mine just molted, and its looking spectacular once again.

 

[Formerphobe]

Long-time captive Brachy's and other NW species with that defensive mechanism showing a "bald spot" are a sign of a) a stressed out T, or b) if bald-spot is black - premolt.

At any rate: One thing I'll probably never understand and since this just came up again I'm gonna ask if those of you that have spiders like that often interact with the same causing them to kick hairs, or what the reason is? Every single time I see a T with a bald spot that hasn't been shipped recently, I'm wondering what caused the animal to be that adamant about using that defense mechanism. Irritating prey and the like considered, I somehow get the feeling people either mess with their T's too often (no offense, just an assumption at this point), or the animal is getting annoyed about something else that causes them to lose all those hairs.

Reason I'm asking is that neither of my NWs ever showed a bald spot unless preparing to molt. I'm simply curious.

Every single time I see a T with a bald spot that hasn't been shipped recently, I'm wondering what caused the animal to be that adamant about using that defense mechanism.

+1
IME, tarantulas with urticating setae flick 'hairs' when they feel the need to be defensive.
They rub hairs off prior to molting or when marking new territory.
Repeated and/or intense flicking results in bald patches. Rubbing results in thinning.
The closer they are to a molt, the easier the hairs will come off if they are instigated to flick.

Most of my NW have never exhibited a bald spot, not even prior to molting. I've observed some Ts rubbing hairs off when preparing their molting mats, or when webbing in a new enclosure or redecorating an old one. They end up with thinned setae on their rumps, but no distinct bald spot.

 

[Storm76]

I've witnessed my A. geniculata rub her rump bald laying down the satae on her molting mat, other than that, mine rarely kick hairs at all. The G. pulchripes doesn't seem to know how it works, the B. smithi rather darts out of the way and the only T's that readily flick are "Kenno" (B. boehmei) and "Kamala" (B. auratum). Both of which, I leave alone except for feeding / maintenance and they never showed a bald spot ever. I'm seriously just wondering why so many people have spiders that seemingly "for no reason" (right.. get a bald spot.

 

[hooferinsane]

Thanks for all the helpful comments. Not sure why mine has, he's left alone apart from changing the water and putting in food (hoppers) Only just seems to have appeared, certainly the patch is light and not dark. He's actually close to a bearded dragon tank, but can't see the Beardie. Not sure if he is picking up any vibrations. My oldest daughter is back to Uni this weekend, so may move to a quieter room perhaps

 

[pyro fiend]

I've witnessed my A. geniculata rub her rump bald laying down the satae on her molting mat, other than that, mine rarely kick hairs at all. The G. pulchripes doesn't seem to know how it works, the B. smithi rather darts out of the way and the only T's that readily flick are "Kenno" (B. boehmei) and "Kamala" (B. auratum). Both of which, I leave alone except for feeding / maintenance and they never showed a bald spot ever. I'm seriously just wondering why so many people have spiders that seemingly "for no reason" (right.. get a bald spot.

Both mine dont kick mine were shipped but iv kinda wondered how ppl can agrivate a T to kick (evn git a g.rosea with bald patch it was like that b4 shipping but hes a sweety so idk) however a buddy has a b. Boehmei and albo who kick period iv walked past their cages and looked over seen a kick cloud for no reason. Both have patches.. ig some just feel they must use them hairs

 

[hmbrower]

Completely normal! Nothing to worry about!

---------- Post added 09-11-2014 at 10:08 PM ----------

Granted, I agree with storm in that if they are long time captives in your care and they are showing bald spots, the are probably too stressed out.

 

[Nicolas C]

Just to share my experience with my B boehmei: she never keeps her hairs for long... For whatever reason, she flicks her hairs on every occasions: when I open the enclosure to change water, when she wanders, maybe even when she sleeps! I'm always very cautious not to stress her, but no way: she likes her back to be naked. I assume it depends on the T's character too, and isn't only about the care of the keeper. B boehmei have such a reputation: hair kickers on eight legs.

 

[Storm76]

Just to share my experience with my B boehmei: she never keeps her hairs for long... For whatever reason, she flicks her hairs on every occasions: when I open the enclosure to change water, when she wanders, maybe even when she sleeps! I'm always very cautious not to stress her, but no way: she likes her back to be naked. I assume it depends on the T's character too, and isn't only about the care of the keeper. B boehmei have such a reputation: hair kickers on eight legs.

Mine will, too. If I bug him. Otherwise, opening the enclosure, refilling water no reaction.

 

[pyro fiend]

Mine will, too. If I bug him. Otherwise, opening the enclosure, refilling water no reaction.

Well each is dif i think. Buddys got a boehmei who will kick for you looking at it. Nothing wrong with how shes kept. just is a cloud maker..pretty sure if uou break wind too loud shed kick lol.. he also just picked up a gbb who kicks for no reason. Open the cage, cloud.. drop in feeder, cloud.. try and drip water into bowl from screen so it dont flick, ..cloud...

meh each T is dif tho even if you dont bother them xc

 

[Storm76]

Well each is dif i think. Buddys got a boehmei who will kick for you looking at it. Nothing wrong with how shes kept. just is a cloud maker..pretty sure if uou break wind too loud shed kick lol.. he also just picked up a gbb who kicks for no reason. Open the cage, cloud.. drop in feeder, cloud.. try and drip water into bowl from screen so it dont flick, ..cloud...

meh each T is dif tho even if you dont bother them xc

Granted, personality of a T differs. B. boehmei are notorious for kicking hair and I've experienced mine doing it now and then, now he usually goes to try and bite if something moves. So, yeah, I threw the question out not only in regards to B. boehmei but all NW Ts. Apologies for hijacking the thread, back to topic.

 

[Katriz O]

Hi, new here. We love our red knee, but after he got his tummy spot, he got darker...so I am thinking he is molting soon.

The thing is.. his legs are completely different color now....like he doesnt have any orange stripes like he did. His legs are all just pure black.

Does this mean he molted or he is about to?

I know I should know, but we have only had him for 4 mos and he hasn't yet.

Isn't his legs supposed to stay orange at the knee?

Thank u for any help.

 

[Neonblizzard]

Hi, new here. We love our red knee, but after he got his tummy spot, he got darker...so I am thinking he is molting soon.

The thing is.. his legs are completely different color now....like he doesnt have any orange stripes like he did. His legs are all just pure black.

Does this mean he molted or he is about to?

I know I should know, but we have only had him for 4 mos and he hasn't yet.

Isn't his legs supposed to stay orange at the knee?

Thank u for any help.

Do you have a photo of the spider? I don't know what a red knee is exactly, that's why we like scientific names here.

You know this thread is 7 years old?

 

[Katriz O]

Do you have a photo of the spider? I don't know what a red knee is exactly, that's why we like scientific names here.

You know this thread is 7 years old?

Omg. I just figured out that his heater got turned off. I so suck. I will let u know if he survives. It has been getting cold here the last few weeks at night. I think it has been 1 week without the heater. Right now, he is all curled up like he is freezing in his den.

 

[Neonblizzard]

Omg. I just figured out that his heater got turned off. I so suck. I will let u know if he survives. It has been getting cold here the last few weeks at night. I think it has been 1 week without the heater. Right now, he is all curled up like he is freezing in his den.

You might be better off starting a new thread if you are having problems with your T.

 

[Katriz O]

I didn't know the age of this thread. I just hoped someone might reply. I couldn't find any information about why a red knees would lose the orange color on it's knees and have their legs turn completely black.

Now I know. They are freezing. Check your heater. Hopefully, some newbie may read this sooner than me.

You might be better off starting a new thread if you are having problems with your T.

Thank u. I will try that if we still have one, and have any future issues. Red knees have alternating orange and black colored legs. I didn't know why his legs turned completely black in color and couldn't find the information anywhere.

Now, I know it was because he was freezing. I hope someone else may get this information on this thread that I eventually found while looking for this issue.

 

[Neonblizzard]

I didn't know the age of this thread. I just hoped someone might reply. I couldn't find any information about why a red knees would lose the orange color on it's knees and have their legs turn completely black.

Now I know. They are freezing. Check your heater. Hopefully, some newbie may read this sooner than me.

How cold is it in your house? Most people don't need to heat their T. It can be done safely, but could actually be hurting your pet not helping it.

Do you have pics of your set up / spider?