Rehabilitating a Tarantula after Tarantula Hawk encounter

PeteysPizza

Arachnopeon
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Aug 26, 2018
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18
Just stumbled across this thread. I think what you are doing is great and good luck! Just so you know A. Chalcodes is typically very docile and even pretty handle-able. I held mine a couple times just to figure out what it was like and decided it was too tickley. even when it got out of its enclosure once it just sat there next to it and did nothing. Let me pick it up and put it back in and didn't even care. Anyway, good luck and don't worry about it being overly aggressive.
 

mocean

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jul 31, 2018
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45
Thanks Krystal He is so adorable.. so small and so slooowww... Of course compared to when I adopted him, he's moving like greased lightning now! He didn't move for about 4 weeks or so. Thanks for chiming in!
 

mocean

Arachnopeon
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Jul 31, 2018
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Thanks Peter! I read they were pretty dicile but, everytime I turn him over, I keep my distance. I'm badly allergic, but I'd love to hold him. I'll get some gloves It's nice to know he won't attack me! Anazing that yours escaped and just hung around. Pretty funny
 
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PeteysPizza

Arachnopeon
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Aug 26, 2018
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Thanks Petey! I read they were pretty dicile but, everytime I turn him over, I keep my distance. I'm badly allergic, but I'd love to hold him. I'll get some gloves It's nice to know he won't attack me! Anazing that yours escaped and just hung around. Pretty funny
Yeah its kind of funny... unless you aren't a bug person. My sister was the one who saw it not in its enclosure and she FREAKED OUT. I have a number of different inverts and other animals in my room. The rest of the fam hates anything with more than 4 legs so its a struggle. I kind of have to do most of my shopping on Jamie's Tarantulas online and order like a book or something on amazon at the same time so my parents don't realize... :rolleyes: By the way its Peter (just needed an unused username)
 

mocean

Arachnopeon
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Jul 31, 2018
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You have to be stealthy? Lol! That is funny I love animals. Always loved spiders, but never thought I'd find one that needed rescuing:) My little Floyd is an amazing little guy. The fact that he's alive and getting better is incredible. He's tough for a youngster. I have a lot of respect for that kind of perseverance. He's intelligent, fragile and so cute, but I guess spiders aren't for everyone:anxious:
 

PeteysPizza

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You have to be stealthy? Lol! That is funny I love animals. Always loved spiders, but never thought I'd find one that needed rescuing:) My little Floyd is an amazing little guy. The fact that he's alive and getting better is incredible. He's tough for a youngster. I have a lot of respect for that kind of perseverance. He's intelligent, fragile and so cute, but I guess spiders aren't for everyone:anxious:
He sounds adorable. Seems like a fun kind of project kind of thing. Do you know around how old he is? How big is he currently?I'm glad it found it's way to someone who likes him so much. I really don't get why some people hate spiders! IMO a lot of them are pretty cute... :)
 

arachnidgill

Arachnoknight
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Apr 24, 2018
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180
@PeteysPizza Plus a T's temperament can vary within a species. Your's may be docile but that doesn't mean all A. chalcodes are. I also don't believe the species has been %100 verified, A. chalcodes was just a guest based on where it was found. Unless I missed a post
 

mocean

Arachnopeon
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Jul 31, 2018
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He sounds adorable. Seems like a fun kind of project kind of thing. Do you know around how old he is? How big is he currently?I'm glad it found it's way to someone who likes him so much. I really don't get why some people hate spiders! IMO a lot of them are pretty cute... :)
This is my first experience up close and personal with a Tarantula but, from what I've read on the Internet, he might be less than a few months old. He's about 2" from the tip of his right front leg to the tip of his rear left leg. His body is just a little over an inch long & 1/2" wide. I think, as a full grown adult, he would be 3x this size, if I read the correct information. Other folks will have better info. I'm such a novice here. I so hope he recovers enough to go back into the wild. At the same time, I know he won't last after he mates. That makes me sad. He -is- so, so, cute!

@PeteysPizza Plus a T's temperament can vary within a species. Your's may be docile but that doesn't mean all A. chalcodes are. I also don't believe the species has been %100 verified, A. chalcodes was just a guest based on where it was found. Unless I missed a post
.What you say is all so -very- true, so I'm keeping a healthy distance. I have to use 2 epipens simultaneously if I get bitten by a mosquito. Pretty ridiculous, eh? A bee sting could be fatal for me, so I will continue to admire him from afar:happy:

I would keep the lid on at all times besides any watering/maintenance you need to do. While still recovering it sounds like he has enough strength to climb out if he wanted. Just poke/drill some holes for ventilation and he'll be fine!
Thanks Brian. I have poked a lot of holes in his house. He hasn't been able to lift himself off the ground, still dragging his body around. He tried to crawl up his paper roll house, but didn't have the strength. Still, your advice is well taken and he is covered securely now. Thank you
 
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Olan

Arachnoangel
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Great job on the rehabilitation. He looks like he'll pull through.

This is my first experience up close and personal with a Tarantula but, from what I've read on the Internet, he might be less than a few months old. He's about 2" from the tip of his right front leg to the tip of his rear left leg. His body is just a little over an inch long & 1/2" wide. I think, as a full grown adult, he would be 3x this size, if I read the correct information. Other folks will have better info. I'm such a novice here. I so hope he recovers enough to go back into the wild. At the same time, I know he won't last after he mates. That makes me sad. He -is- so, so, cute!
I have a 2.5 year old Aphonopelma thats 1" legspan. Yours could be 5 or even 10 years old, depending on how much food he got in the wild.
 

mocean

Arachnopeon
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Jul 31, 2018
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Out of all the others, this video amazes me the most
It was a sure sign that he wasn't so paralyzed that he couldn't drink. This was proof to me that he was on the mend.:)

Great job on the rehabilitation. He looks like he'll pull through.
I have a 2.5 year old Aphonopelma thats 1" legspan. Yours could be 5 or even 10 years old, depending on how much food he got in the wild.
Wow, really? I had no idea! I saw pictures of much larger ones, but now thinking I was looking at the wrong Tarantulas. Thank you!

I do hope he continues to improve. I do think he feels much better...
 
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mocean

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Jul 31, 2018
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Well, Floyd is getting pretty feisty when I turn him over to water him. He arches his legs keeping his body off the ground and grabs the eyedropper when I get close to his mouth. It's wonderful to see him with so much energy and strengrh, but he definitely doesn't like it. Since I found him in his water dish on Monday, I may have to let him get water on his own, but I will try to water him again today if he doesn't go to his water dish.

Floyd has not left his paper tube hide all day. Normally, I would have tipped it to slide him out but, because he was so feisty last night, I worry that he might be preparing to molt. What should I do? I'm concerned about him being kept hydrated.
 
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Krystal Anne

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Aug 22, 2017
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Well, Floyd is getting pretty feisty when I turn him over to water him. He arches his legs keeping his body off the ground and grabs the eyedropper when I get close to his mouth. It's wonderful to see him with so much energy and strengrh, but he definitely doesn't like it. Since I found him in his water dish on Monday, I may have to let him get water on his own, but I will try to water him again today if he doesn't go to his water dish.
Floyd has not left his paper tube hide all day. Normally, I would have tipped it to slide him out but, because he was so feisty last night, I worry that he might be preparing to molt. What should I do? I'm concerned about him being kept hydrated.
Oooh, that sounds like a threat posture! With that kind of energy, he may not need your assistance in drinking anymore. I wouldn't worry much about dehydration at this point; it seems like he's had a lot of water in your care, and now he's even able to drink on his own. Plus, from the last photos, he looks pretty plump, which is a good thing.

I don't think there's much you can do right now but wait, but I think things are looking good :) Post more photos if you can the next time he comes out (if he does), which may help us see if he's really in pre-molt.
 
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mocean

Arachnopeon
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Jul 31, 2018
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45
Oh wow, defensive mode! That sounds like real progress! He's moving faster too. He was moving his legs all over when he was upside down which told me he wanted to be upright (which I did immediately) I was surprised to see all that energy, but sorry that I stressed him out. He looks bigger.to me now. A couple of friends thought he did too, which is why I thought maybe he was staying in his hide getting ready to molt.

I'll snap some pictures when he comes out. I tapped on the hide and he moved, so I think he's ok. Based on how he's behaving, do you think he's in good enough shape to survive molting even though he hasn't eaten in 6 weeks?

Thanks for helping. I can't lose him now..
 
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mocean

Arachnopeon
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Jul 31, 2018
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I just took a picture of him inside his little paper roll hide. I'm sure he loved the flash, but I had to do it. He looks the same to me and he has been moving, but hasn't left the back of his hide.

20180829_182320.jpg
 

lostbrane

Arachnobaron
Joined
Jul 8, 2018
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517
Your's may be docile but that doesn't mean all A. chalcodes are.
Just as a bit of an anecdote, my A. chalcodes, after her latest molt has become just as ferocious as my A. geniculata. Attacks water droplets, fought me for her molt, and with some major gusto took down the superworms I gave her. So yeah, caution is advised, not matter how "docile" they may seem. And yeah, handling is no bueno.

Oh wow, defensive mode! That sounds like real progress! He's moving faster too. He was moving his legs all over when he was upside down which told me he wanted to be upright (which I did immediately) I was surprised to see all that energy, but sorry that I stressed him out. He looks bigger.to me now. A couple of friends thought he did too, which is why I thought maybe he was staying in his hide getting ready to molt.

I'll snap some pictures when he comes out. I tapped on the hide and he moved, so I think he's ok. Based on how he's behaving, do you think he's in good enough shape to survive molting even though he hasn't eaten in 6 weeks?

Thanks for helping. I can't lose him now..
Increased abdomen size is a good indication, along with it not eating in a while (although I forget if you offered it food), but still might take it a while to molt. That stress isn't so bad, you're just taking care of it. I'm sure it was a lot more stressed when it was stung. As @Krystal Anne (and others) mentioned, the abdomen does indeed look plump, so it not eating for only 6 weeks is nothing to really worry about. You could still offer some prey though, if you really wanted.

Anyways, excellent job on the rehabilitation. Hopefully it continues to improve and you get to enjoy your continued time with your t.
 

mocean

Arachnopeon
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Jul 31, 2018
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Thanks Brian. The only reason I haven't fed him is because he's been pretty well paralyzed for weeks. He couldn't have eaten if he tried. He drank water on his own two days ago. That was only the second time he managed to get over an obstacle. He is plump, but I've been watering him several times per day until today. Krystal said he wouldn't get dehydrated. I sure hope not. I don't think I can battle him to get water into him, so I'm just keeping fresh water available to him.

Like your experience, I couldn't believe this little guy (Floyd ie Pink Floyd) was so animated. I was gobsmacked when he tried to fight me off as I was trying to feed him water. I was a proud Mom, but a little taken aback too. Totally unexpected because he's been so slow to move for so long. I'm practicing -much- more caution now. No more bare fingers anywhere near him!:anxious:

Ok so, Floyd came out of his hidefor yhe first time today. It's 10 pm. He's moving very strangely, stretching his legs, silk spinners out, keeping some of his legs in the air. I'm upping videos to YT, but here are some still shots. They're blurry because I shot them through the plastic box he's in. He acted weird, so I closed the lid of the box. I'll up a post when the videos are done loading.

There is something weird on his back. I circled it in red Screenshot_20180829-222616_Gallery.jpg

His legs are sticking up What's happening to him? I'm worried. 20180829_222508.jpg 20180829_222539.jpg

Here are the videos. It's the first 3 titled with today's date. Thank you for any help.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9zy061-B9b0gp-_r_3OBhnoSiwLcJ2_R

Keeping legs in the air
20180829_230950.jpg
 

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MotherofSpiders

Arachnopeon
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Jun 6, 2017
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He's trying to molt upright, please turn him over onto his back. Watch that his carapace detaches, looks like it may be stuck but he can get out easier if on his back.
 

Greasylake

Arachnoprince
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He is trying to molt upright, but I wouldn't turn him onto his back. Disturbing the molt could make things worse than they already are. I say just leave him alone and let him do his thing, if he gets a few legs stuck you can still help him out.
 
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