N. Chromatus Sling in Premolt?

[CitizenNumber9]

My little N. Chromatus sling has not been eating and has a dark spot on his abdomen. I wouldn't be worried, except I'm not sure what a starving/dehydrated T looks like. Does it look like I should be worried?

 

[Disquiet]

No, it is not in pre-molt. The dark spot you see is where the urticating hairs will be. There is a very useful thread on what is and isn't pre-molt somewhere on here, search is your friend. On that note, have you read TKG yet? When the sling is in pre-molt, the whole sling will look dark, shiny, and ready to pop.

As for whether or not it is dehydrated, I can't say for sure. I can say that removing the sling from its enclosure and putting it in your hand to take this picture was probably not necessary. Were you unable to photograph it otherwise?

 

[CitizenNumber9]

No, it is not in pre-molt. The dark spot you see is where the urticating hairs will be. There is a very useful thread on what is and isn't pre-molt somewhere on here, search is your friend. On that note, have you read TKG yet? When the sling is in pre-molt, the whole sling will look dark, shiny, and ready to pop.

As for whether or not it is dehydrated, I can't say for sure. I can say that removing the sling from its enclosure and putting it in your hand to take this picture was probably not necessary. Were you unable to photograph it otherwise?

I could have taken the pic in the enclosure, but it wouldn't have been very clear.

Weeelll....I kind of have not bought it yet...I am going to buy it, I'm just looking for where I can get the best price. Plus I haven't finished Christmas shopping for everyone. I've been using this site and the TKG site for info so far.

I think a couple of my others may be getting close to pre molt, but they've been eating and all have fat abdomens. I'm just worried about this little guy. I can't see into his enclosure without removing the lid, so its hard to moniter him when he isn't being disturbed :/ I'm not sure if he's been drinking water either.

 

[Beary Strange]

What have you been attempting to feed him? Is he ignoring it or running away terrified?

 

[CitizenNumber9]

What have you been attempting to feed him? Is he ignoring it or running away terrified?

He ran away terrified from live food and has been ignoring all attempts at pre killed. I tried pin heads and mealies :/

Also I forgot to mention, he isn't acting lethargic or anything. He has plenty of energy to run from fingers, tweezers, etc.

 

[akarikuragi]

It could be it's just going into premolt and will darken up over the next week or so, or it could be it just doesn't feel like eating.

 

[CitizenNumber9]

It could be it's just going into premolt and will darken up over the next week or so, or it could be it just doesn't feel like eating.

Should I be worried? Or would he be much skinnier if it were a problem? I'm thinking about moving him to a clear container so I can see him without disturbing him

 

[akarikuragi]

Definitely move it to a clear container, and just make sure half the substrate it moist and you'll be good. : ) It is really hard to starve spiders. Just offer it food once a week until it decides to eat or molt of whatever. XD

 

[CitizenNumber9]

Definitely move it to a clear container, and just make sure half the substrate it moist and you'll be good. : ) It is really hard to starve spiders. Just offer it food once a week until it decides to eat or molt of whatever. XD

Ok I'll move him right away then

Thanks everyone for all of the replies! I'll keep everyone updated on what he "feels like" doing xD

 

[Disquiet]

Weeelll....I kind of have not bought it yet...I am going to buy it, I'm just looking for where I can get the best price. Plus I haven't finished Christmas shopping for everyone. I've been using this site and the TKG site for info so far.

Library, srsly. They are everywhere and 100% free. There's no excuse to not educate yourself further when it is as easy as that. Spiders Calgary is a great resource, it really is, but TKG is more in-depth and will give you a good "base" of knowledge to build on.

azphyxiate is right on the money in terms of the sling's continuing care: Rehome to a clear container, stop being a helicopter parent (it's hard, I had to retrain myself too), and just keep offering food and leave it at that; the spider knows what it is doing and it will eat if it's hungry.

 

[CitizenNumber9]

Library, srsly. They are everywhere and 100% free. There's no excuse to not educate yourself further when it is as easy as that. Spiders Calgary is a great resource, it really is, but TKG is more in-depth and will give you a good "base" of knowledge to build on.

azphyxiate is right on the money in terms of the sling's continuing care: Rehome to a clear container, stop being a helicopter parent (it's hard, I had to retrain myself too), and just keep offering food and leave it at that; the spider knows what it is doing and it will eat if it's hungry.

I'm thinking of taking a walk to the library and getting a card tomorrow actually (no license heheh)

He's rehomed now. What is a helecopter parent???? I just get worried because all of my other T's are doing so well and he's kind of the odd one out. He's also the most skittish and the tiniest

 

[Disquiet]

What is a helecopter parent????

https://www.google.com/search?q=hel...7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

Remember, search is your friend

 

[CitizenNumber9]

https://www.google.com/search?q=hel...7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

Remember, search is your friend

Heheh I thought it was a term you came up with personally x) I'll try not to be that way but I'm already catching the OCD of the hobby lol

 

[CitizenNumber9]

Just thought I'd let everyone know that the little baby finally decided to eat! Seeing that nice fat tarantula booty is such a relief