Pre-molt or Sick Tarantula?

[Katyleekoby]

Hi guys!

I have had my pink-toe, Lucas, for almost 2 years now and I’ve seen him molt plenty of times. For whatever reason, I’m a little concerned about him. He started looking like he was about to molt at the end of January (bald spot on his abdomen, no appetite, ect.) and I wasn’t worried about it. He did eat a few weeks ago and I’ve been expecting him to molt, but as of today, he still hasn’t. He doesn’t seem dehydrated and I always make sure his water dish is clean and available. I haven’t done anything to his cage recently either, I just leave him alone unless I need to change his water or feed him. He just seems so lethargic and sickly looking? If that even makes sense. I also notice he’s loosing hair on some of his legs, which I figure is normal? I’m gonna attach some pictures of him too. He’s my first and only tarantula and I’ve grown quite fond of him so this might just be a complete over reaction. Better safe than sorry, I guess.

Any feed back is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[spideyspinneret78]

To me, it looks like he's in heavy premolt. Be patient....premolt can last months, especially in older juveniles and adults. I have a tarantula that's been in premolt for about 3 months now (he's an Aphonopelma, and they do everything in slow motion!). They always seem a little off before they molt. But in this case I wouldn't worry. His abdomen is nice and plump.

 

[Katyleekoby]

To me, it looks like he's in heavy premolt. Be patient....premolt can last months, especially in older juveniles and adults. I have a tarantula that's been in premolt for about 3 months now (he's an Aphonopelma, and they do everything in slow motion!). They always seem a little off before they molt. But in this case I wouldn't worry. His abdomen is nice and plump.

Thank you so much! That makes me feel better!

 

[arachnidgill]

Yes, it is in premolt. My Avicularia sp. Kwitara looks the same when she goes in premolt.

 

[Katyleekoby]

Thanks for the picture!! I was starting to really worry about him! Much appreciated

 

[Katyleekoby]

Hi guys.

I have a feeling I already know the answer to this question but maybe not.
I made a post a few days ago about being concerned about my Pink Toe that was in pre-molt. Today, I went to check on him and he was lying on the ground in a really weird position and unresponsive. I know your supposed to leave them alone, especially if they are in pre-molt, but I just touched his back leg a tiny bit and there was no movement. I’ve had him for 2 years and I have a feeling he may have just died. He’s not in a death curl, but I’m just not sure this is normal pre-molt behavior.

Let me know what y’all think. I’ve attached some pictures.

 

[Vanisher]

No it is not, very hard to tell whats wrong. They does not always die in deathcurl. I hope it goes well. Good luck

 

[Katyleekoby]

No it is not, very hard to tell whats wrong. They does not always die in deathcurl. I hope it goes well. Good luck

Should I just leave him be and see what happens? I don’t want to poke around in there if he truly isn’t dead and is just molting.

 

[Vanisher]

It is very hard to tell what you should do. Is it unresponsive still, and fir how long has he been in this position? If i was sure he was not moulting I would fill a bottlecap with water and very careful place it under hes mouthparts.

 

[Katyleekoby]

It is very hard to tell what you should do. Is it unresponsive still, and fir how long has he been in this position? If i was sure he was not moulting I would fill a bottlecap with water and very careful place it under hes mouthparts.

He was moving a tiny bit last night. When i woke up today, I found him unresponsive on the ground. Still hasn’t moved.

 

[Vanisher]

His likely not moulting. Place water in its mouth

 

[Thekla]

You keep saying "he", do you know it's a male? Could it be a mature male, that has simply come to the end of his life?

But as @Vanisher said, place his mouthparts into a water dish or flip him over and administer drops of water directly onto his mouth. And while you're at it, please, take a picture of the tips of his pedipalps. That could help determine whether he's indeed a boy.

 

[Katyleekoby]

You keep saying "he", do you know it's a male? Could it be a mature male, that has simply come to the end of his life?

But as @Vanisher said, place his mouthparts into a water dish or flip him over and administer drops of water directly onto his mouth. And while you're at it, please, take a picture of the tips of his pedipalps. That could help determine whether he's indeed a boy.

Sure, I can take some pics. I’ve already given him water but he is still the same. No movement.

I only thought he was a male because I had a friend who has had tarantulas for many years look at him when I first got him, could be wrong though! I flipped him over and gave him some more water but he’s is like jello. There is no movement at all. He’s been like this since the morning. He seems dead to me, so let me know what you think.

 

[cold blood]

I just noticed a big red flag that could be the cause of problems.

I saw the hygrometer and zoomed in...its reading a very high number, especially for WI winter-early spring....this can be a big problem for the long term health of Avics.

Hygrometers dont help things, they just give you numbers to chase, numbers which arent really relevant anyway. Its generally best to keep them predominantly dry. Toss that hygrometer.

I keep lots of avics, and also live in WI...and i do basically nothing to up humidity for them or any species during the dry winter...I even have avics dropping sacs mid winter when the ambient humidity in my room is around 10% or less.

When avics are kept too humid, often the first thing we see is lethergy and refusal to eat...which often leads to "its pre molt"...so nothing is done.

Eventually we see the avic end up on the ground and staying on the ground...this is most often met with "give water, it could be dehydration", or 'mist it"....both of which are incorrect responses, as its excess moisture that is the root of the problem.

In such cases, a new, dry, well ventilated enclosure is your best bet for survival. Best of luck.

 

[cold blood]

MID NOTE

The 2 related threads have been merged to consolidate the information....carry on.

 

[Katyleekoby]

I just noticed a big red flag that could be the cause of problems.

I saw the hygrometer and zoomed in...its reading a very high number, especially for WI winter-early spring....this can be a big problem for the long term health of Avics.

Hygrometers dont help things, they just give you numbers to chase, numbers which arent really relevant anyway. Its generally best to keep them predominantly dry. Toss that hygrometer.

I keep lots of avics, and also live in WI...and i do basically nothing to up humidity for them or any species during the dry winter...I even have avics dropping sacs mid winter when the ambient humidity in my room is around 10% or less.

When avics are kept too humid, often the first thing we see is lethergy and refusal to eat...which often leads to "its pre molt"...so nothing is done.

Eventually we see the avic end up on the ground and staying on the ground...this is most often met with "give water, it could be dehydration", or 'mist it"....both of which are incorrect responses, as its excess moisture that is the root of the problem.

In such cases, a new, dry, well ventilated enclosure is your best bet for survival. Best of luck.

Oh sorry! I don’t use that hygrometer at all! He always hung out on it so I just left it in there. I’ve never mist him or anything like that. I usually let him be unless I need to feed him or change the water. I have a feeling he just got to the end of his life, which is a bummer.

 

[cold blood]

Oh sorry! I don’t use that hygrometer at all! He always hung out on it so I just left it in there. I’ve never mist him or anything like that. I usually let him be unless I need to feed him or change the water. I have a feeling he just got to the end of his life, which is a bummer.

My worry is that the hygrometer is reading like 85%....thats a HUGE problem and a good sign of excessive moisture within the enclosure.

If its a MM, it certainly could be the end of normal life....if its not a MM, change could save it. Its best to be certain you have a MM, rather than assume it is and risk losing a t prematurely.

 

[Katyleekoby]

My worry is that the hygrometer is reading like 85%....thats a HUGE problem and a good sign of excessive moisture within the enclosure.

If its a MM, it certainly could be the end of normal life....if its not a MM, change could save it. Its best to be certain you have a MM, rather than assume it is and risk losing a t prematurely.

Okay, I did have him checked when I first got him and I was told it was a male. I’ve watched a few videos on how to tell, but I’ve always heard it’s hard to tell. Any tips on how I can be sure it’s a male?

 

[cold blood]

Okay, I did have him checked when I first got him and I was told it was a male. I’ve watched a few videos on how to tell, but I’ve always heard it’s hard to tell. Any tips on how I can be sure it’s a male?

Its the same for all tarantulas....look for emboli....all MMs have emboli on the underside of the palps, near the end...often they are a shade of red, but can also appear almost black.

emboli

• cold blood
• Jul 20, 2018
• 2
• emboli indian ornamental tarantula male mature male poecilotheria poecilotheria regalis regalis

regalis

 

[Katyleekoby]

Okay yes, he’s a male! That’s how my friend checked him too. Unfortunately, I did have him for 2-2 1/2 years so I’m thinking it was maybe his time. But I do have an extra cage, so I might move him. Just in case. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.