My unidentified T has a poopy bum - Is it as bad as I think it is?

[photobuggirl]

This wild caught tarantula from central Utah has been my little friend for about 8 months. When I was cleaning his terrarium today I noticed he had some white stuff (I can only assume poop, since he hasn't molted in my care) stuck to his abdomen. After looking around on the forums, I saw a post to someone cleaning his G. Pulchra with a small paintbrush and warm water (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFOkw3pQvLY). I spent about an hour and a half gently trying the same thing and it helped remove a good portion of the poop; I might have even been too gentle. I'm concerned though since it seems like too much of it is still stuck to him, but I really don't like the idea of hurting him by trying too hard to remove the crap. I'm not acting like an overly anxious mom, am I? I'm correct when I'm thinking that it's not common for other Ts have poopy bums, right? Any additional advice to solve this problem?

Also, he seems to eat frequently. He only likes smaller crickets than I think a spider of his size should be eating, but he eats about 5 a week, on average. Could this be contributing to the poop overload?

In looking at my pictures, it also seems like he may be dehydrated (from what I've read from others' posts). I keep fresh water with him at all times and he comes from a dry climate, but is it possible that I need to rehabilitate?

I thought it was strange that as I was very lightly attempting to wipe the crap off, he would stick his butt up in the air, higher than I've ever seen any other spider. I had to get a picture of that too, since it was such a strange posture. (The picture displaying the strange posture is shot basically parallel to the surface the spider was standing on. I'm mentioning that just to help give you an idea that I didn't dramatize the look by tilting the camera. It's pretty difficult to tell with how white the ground is.)

I'm including (one) before and (four) after photos to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

One more thing: I know this isn't the place for it, but if anyone who reads this post happens to have an idea of what kind of T this is, I'd love to hear of some guesses.

 

[Mack&Cass]

Your spider is a MM (you can tell by the tibial spurs and emboli - his swollen "boxing glove" palps). That explains why he is thin and only takes small crickets, mature males have minimal appetite. He looks worn away and fairly old, which may be what is causing the "poop" issue.

I thought it was strange that as I was very lightly attempting to wipe the crap off, he would stick his butt up in the air, higher than I've ever seen any other spider. I had to get a picture of that too, since it was such a strange posture.

Also, this posture is him threatening you with his urticating hairs, he is preparing to kick them at you, although he doesn't look to have much left.

Mackenzie

 

[Hobo]

+1 on what Mack and Cass said.

Also, I'm inclined to think that's a fungal issue on his abdomen, since that would explain the wrinklyness coupled with apparent rotting of his spinnerets (you've stated he has fresh water at all times).

Sorry to say he is most likely nearing the end of his days

 

[photobuggirl]

Threat posture, that makes sense! He didn't actually attempt to kick either of his back legs during that hour and a half that I was cleaning his abdomen, but if I'd thought he was acting defensively, I sure wouldn't have had my exposed eyes as close as they were.

I appreciate the replies. It's really sad to me that I could be losing him soon, but I'll still see if I can do anything to help his situation. It may be time to look around for some more spider friends.

 

[splangy]

I wouldn't have thought threat posture either! The only experience I have with animals sticking their butts in the air is my dogs when I'm scratching them. I think it's safe to assume they're not trying to kick off urticating hairs at me!

sorry to hear your T doesn't seem to be in good shape. aside from the white stuff, it's really a pretty T!

 

[photobuggirl]

aside from the white stuff, it's really a pretty T!

Thanks! I'm biased, for sure, but I love his shape and how leggy he is.

 

[gumby]

So you say you caught him about 8 months ago did he molt while you had him? Also which part of utah my guess would be you have an aphonopelma but not sure I've seen any from utah that dark.I have an Aphonopelma iodious I caught around provo utah I think its a female and Id like to find some males and other females and see if I cant breed some and reintroduce some back into the wild. But I dont think what you have looks like the kind of male I need. If he didn't molt in your care then as a mature male he has very little time left. Most mature males only last 8 months to a year after their finale molt which is when they get hooks.

 

[photobuggirl]

Really?! A mature male dies that soon after their ultimate molt?! That's unfortunate. He hasn't molted a single time since he was found and I've had him since about July of last year. A friend found him climbing on their house in Hurricane, way down south.

 

[billy28]

So you say you caught him about 8 months ago did he molt while you had him? Also which part of utah my guess would be you have an aphonopelma but not sure I've seen any from utah that dark.I have an Aphonopelma iodious I caught around provo utah I think its a female and Id like to find some males and other females and see if I cant breed some and reintroduce some back into the wild. But I dont think what you have looks like the kind of male I need. If he didn't molt in your care then as a mature male he has very little time left. Most mature males only last 8 months to a year after their finale molt which is when they get hooks.

If it was found in central Utah then it is an A. Iodious. All the MM of that sp. are dark like that too.

 

[xhexdx]

Really?! A mature male dies that soon after their ultimate molt?!

Male spiders mature, breed, and die. It's what they do. :}

I don't see anything fungal on the abdomen, I just think he's old and nearing the end.

You might want to consider putting him in a container with warm, damp paper towels (similar to an ICU) so the poo can maybe soften up and be gently wiped off.

 

[photobuggirl]

Male spiders mature, breed, and die. It's what they do. :}

Don't we all!

I haven't set up an ICU (or anything similar) before, but there are plenty of posts about them. I think you have a terrific suggestion and I very much appreciate it. I'll let you know if it helps.

 

[cacoseraph]

right on. i agree sorting that bum situation out is probably a decent priority. if its anus is sealed shut that could hasten the end even quicker than it's like, nature has dictated


edit:
also, one of it's spinnerets looks goofy in the picture. i would try to figure out if that is mechanical damage that is fresh or has been healed or what. you might need to address that further


also, Aphonopelma males are kinda on the longer lived end of the spectrum, so it could have a bit more than a month or whatever left. could live another year or not

 

[photobuggirl]

I'm not sure if it's helpful to mention, but in case someone else goes through a similar situation, I wanted to state what the outcome has been up to this point. I kept my T in an ICU, changing out the wet padding frequently, and keeping it as warm as I thought was safe. After a day I attempted another gentle paint brush wipe-down, but it seemed just as stuck as it did originally, so he went right back in an ICU for a little while longer. I did this for three days total, which seemed a bit long, but I wanted to see if that stuff could come off with moisture and warmth (it still seems like poop, but I don't know for sure). Honestly, I got concerned that I'd do more harm than good by continuing to attempt something that wasn't really removing much of this crap (not like it was doing the first wiping session), especially since he was acting fairly irritated the last two of the three wipings.

His behavior hasn't been anything out of "his" ordinary yet, but I'm going to take quick notice if he seems to slow down at all.

 

[BrynWilliams]

I hope he pulls through, perhaps the attempts at wiping it away may have shifted enough that he can function normally?

 

[photobuggirl]

I hope he pulls through, perhaps the attempts at wiping it away may have shifted enough that he can function normally?

Thank you; I certainly hope so.

Since he's an MM, I'll come back on here to mention his passing....I hope it's still a long ways off though.