Sling in Death Curl--Anything I Can Do?

Sohki

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I've been caring for my H. chilense sling since February... and it's been fine and healthy up until now... but I've been struggling with humidity. I've completely covered the lid with ventilation holes but I still couldn't get the moisture to go away. The substrate has been wet all this time and there have been mites for a while. I've tried replacing the substrate and adding as much ventilation as possible... but I felt it was still too wet, and the mites came back. So, I decided to stop giving the sling water altogether, because I figured it was humid enough in there and the sling could get moisture from its food. Now, I'm afriad I made a terrible mistake, because the once-healthy sling is in death curl, I think. Was I wrong to think it was too humid? Or is the humidy what is killing it after all? I love my baby Cibu... is there anything I can do?? :'C
 

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TLSizzle

Arachnobaron
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Im far from an expert, but it looks awfully pale. Are you sure it didn't recently complete a molt?
 

Ultum4Spiderz

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I've been caring for my H. chilense sling since February... and it's been fine and healthy up until now... but I've been struggling with humidity. I've completely covered the lid with ventilation holes but I still couldn't get the moisture to go away. The substrate has been wet all this time and there have been mites for a while. I've tried replacing the substrate and adding as much ventilation as possible... but I felt it was still too wet, and the mites came back. So, I decided to stop giving the sling water altogether, because I figured it was humid enough in there and the sling could get moisture from its food. Now, I'm afriad I made a terrible mistake, because the once-healthy sling is in death curl, I think. Was I wrong to think it was too humid? Or is the humidy what is killing it after all? I love my baby Cibu... is there anything I can do?? :'C
Im Not seeing a death curl , and wet sub won’t kill a t without bad ventilation and stagnant air. If you have loads of ventilation you should be fine. Ages ago I had a really healthy n cromatus just die on me for no reason. The biggest one. Let half the substrate dry out.
 
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viper69

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Don’t see death curl

hope you aren’t chasing humidity values
 

Sohki

Arachnopeon
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Jul 16, 2022
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Don’t see death curl

hope you aren’t chasing humidity values
Four of its legs are curling beneath it; is this the beginning of a death curl, maybe? It is unresponsive and not acting like its usual self at all.

No, I'm not chasing humidity values... I just assumed it was too humid because I couldn't get the substrate to dry out and because I couldn't ditch the mites.
 

mack1855

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2 things.
Put ventilation holes about halfway down the sides of the deli cup.
Pull the sling out, put dry dirt in and drip water,don’t mist the whole enclosure no matter what.
It doesn’t appear to be in a death curl,but definitely dry it out.If the sling is taking food,it will get moisture/hydration from that.I water my little spoof once a week.With little drops,not spraying or misting.
 

CutThroat Kid

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Sep 26, 2022
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2 things.
Put ventilation holes about halfway down the sides of the deli cup.
Pull the sling out, put dry dirt in and drip water,don’t mist the whole enclosure no matter what.
It doesn’t appear to be in a death curl,but definitely dry it out.If the sling is taking food,it will get moisture/hydration from that.I water my little spoof once a week.With little drops,not spraying or misting.
Distinct from misting the entire enclosure, I find that a quick and small spritz of water on the enclosure/container wall works well for the smallest specimens. Gives them tiny droplets to drink from.
 

Sohki

Arachnopeon
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Jul 16, 2022
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2 things.
Put ventilation holes about halfway down the sides of the deli cup.
Pull the sling out, put dry dirt in and drip water,don’t mist the whole enclosure no matter what.
It doesn’t appear to be in a death curl,but definitely dry it out.If the sling is taking food,it will get moisture/hydration from that.I water my little spoof once a week.With little drops,not spraying or misting.
Thank you for the advice. I put fresh substrate in there and, if it survives, I'll put more ventilation, too. I never mist any of my Ts' enclosures... I've been putting a drop of water on the wall of the enclosure once a week... but the weekly drops eventually add up and seep through all of the substrate, since the enclosure is so small. That's why I thought I should go a few weeks without adding any water... I'm not sure if I just made it worse or not. :(

It's encouraging that so many people are saying that it's not in death curl... are you guys sure? When I replaced the substrate, I accidentally turned it onto its back as I was trying to remove it from the enclosure. It's completely unresponsive, just laying on its back... I'm not even sure if it's still alive. How do I tell whether it's dead or not? :((((
 

Sohki

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Distinct from misting the entire enclosure, I find that a quick and small spritz of water on the enclosure/container wall works well for the smallest specimens. Gives them tiny droplets to drink from.
Thank you. I've never tried that before. That might solve the issue I've been having with an overly big droplet.
 

Sohki

Arachnopeon
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That sounds like a molt to me.What are you using to add water drops?.Use a bulb syringe or eye dropper.
But I was the one who (accidentally) put it onto its back. It didn't get there naturally. I've been creating a single drop by briefly/swiftly tapping the trigger of a spray bottle... I'll definitely invest in an eye dropper or syringe; thank you for your help.
 

TLSizzle

Arachnobaron
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Messages
305
I brightened the picture up a lot and am wondering if the circled object is the old skin?
Screenshot_20230831-145602_Chrome.jpg
I'm not saying you missed anything as I cant see what you see, but maybe a pic with flash could help give us a better look? Are it's fangs black or white? Is the sling usually that light in color?
 

mack1855

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brightened the picture up a lot and am wondering if the circled object is the old skin?
Thanks for that.It dosent look like a molt.At this point,i would say to @Sohki take a plastic/small spoon and lift it out.Place it on a white sheet of printer paper.And take a close look/photo.

Hate to say it,but it may be decomposing.
 

Sohki

Arachnopeon
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I brightened the picture up a lot and am wondering if the circled object is the old skin?
View attachment 454337
I'm not saying you missed anything as I cant see what you see, but maybe a pic with flash could help give us a better look? Are it's fangs black or white? Is the sling usually that light in color?
I gave it fresh substrate and dumped the stuff that was in that picture, so I can't double check... but I could have sworn there was nothing there, especially near the T.

After I plopped it upside down, I almost immediately righted it again, so that it was in the same position that I found it in. I can't see the fangs without turning it back over again... do you think I should risk that?

Yes; I believe the T has always been this light. Maybe I'm wrong, though... although, the first time it molted in my care, I was able to see the subtle differences clearly, but the t looks just as it has these past few weeks. I could be wrong, but I wasn't expecting a molt any time soon. I'm definitely hoping this is just a molt, though.

Sorry about the horrible picture quality. I'm working on getting a better one.... my camera sucks so bad, so give me a bit.

Thanks for that.It dosent look like a molt.At this point,i would say to @Sohki take a plastic/small spoon and lift it out.Place it on a white sheet of printer paper.And take a close look/photo.

Hate to say it,but it may be decomposing.

My heart just sank. :( Okay; I'll do that.
 

Sohki

Arachnopeon
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Im just going off the last pic,and what we have learned from yourself.Not saying its a done deal by any means.
Hoping for the best.
Here is as close as I could get. The fangs look black to me.

Im just going off the last pic,and what we have learned from yourself.Not saying its a done deal by any means.
Hoping for the best.
Me, too. I really hope it's not dead... my poor baby <3
 

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mack1855

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Ok.....thats finished,Im sorry.
It happens,and nothing to say that will help with this.
 
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