Strange Behavior Grammostola Iheringi

[DSKO1]

Something is not right with this tarantula. It seems to be having a hard time holding itself up to walk. It's been kinda twitching, and acting aggressively toward the grass in the cage. I changed the dirt, and water dish. I took the crickets out, bcz they seemed to be stressing it out. It's like something is up with the nervous system. Seems kinda weak, but keeps pacing the cage. Went to get up on the glass, and fell over. But did flip back over by itself. But I'm not a vet. Anyone else experience this behavior? I asked at the pet shop. They said it could be symptoms of a hard pre molt. I'm really worried. They said if it doesn't act right in a day or so, vet visit it is. Advice please. My poor Gam, Gam It's a juvenile(not a sling) if that helps.

 

[Doodlebird]

Photos/videos would help. What immediately stands out to me is that you listened to a pet shop employee, which is a pretty big no-no. I've had other inverts have a similar reaction if they are exposed to pesticides, which it could be if the crickets are wild caught, or you used anything from outside in the enclosure. Make sure that any prey is removed if it hasn't been eaten in 24 hours, and I don't recommend offering multiple prey items at once.

 

[DSKO1]

I just asked the lady had she ever seen this behavior. She basically suggested that less is more(and to ask you guys), said it could be a hard per molt(I'm aware Most pet stores don't properly take care of tarantulas). Don't put anything in the cage(crickets) and don't pick it up, she said just watch for now. And if it keeps happening take it to the exotic pet vet.

On another note I did have a suspicion that maybe it got hold of a bad cricket. I've heard a couple ppl say it can happen. Definitely seems like something is wrong with the nervous system. It almost looks likes it scratching it sometimes. I inspected the enclosure for mite, and nothing. But I put in clean substrate anyways just in case. But the behavior is the same. Very odd.

 

[Doodlebird]

I just asked the lady had she ever seen this behavior. She basically suggested that less is more(and to ask you guys), said it could be a hard per molt(I'm aware Most pet stores don't properly take care of tarantulas). Don't put anything in the cage(crickets) and don't pick it up, she said just watch for now. And if it keeps happening take it to the exotic pet vet.

On another note I did have a suspicion that maybe it got hold of a bad cricket. I've heard a couple ppl say it can happen. Definitely seems like something is wrong with the nervous system. It almost looks likes it scratching it sometimes. I inspected the enclosure for mite, and nothing. But I put in clean substrate anyways just in case. But the behavior is the same. Very odd.

It does sound odd. Can you add pictures of the T and enclosure? What kind is it?

 

[DSKO1]

This is what I'm talking about

 

[Doodlebird]

This is what I'm talking about

What kind of tarantula is this? Unless it's an arboreal tarantula, you need a lot more substrate. That hide isn't ideal, and you need a water bowl. As far as difficulty climbing, your tarantula looks quite chubby which will make climbing difficult. How often are you feeding it?
Edit: nevermind just saw the species

 

[Tarantuland]

This is what I'm talking about

Sorry to say that doesn't look good, but I'm not sure what might have caused it or exactly what's going on. I'd recommend just making sure there is a full water dish and I'm not sure what else can be done

 

[DSKO1]

What kind of tarantula is this? Unless it's an arboreal tarantula, you need a lot more substrate. That hide isn't ideal, and you need a water bowl. As far as difficulty climbing, your tarantula looks quite chubby which will make climbing difficult. How often are you feeding it?

Grammostola Iheringi. Always been kinda fluffy. Doesn't eat whole lot. You don't see the water dish bcz I'm changing it out right now. I appreciate the advice about the enclosure. But that's not what the main issue is right this minute. And it liked the hide quite well, and usually hardly comes out of it, when acting normal that is.

 

[Doodlebird]

Grammostola Iheringi. Always been kinda fluffy. Doesn't eat whole lot. You don't see the water dish bcz I'm changing it out right now. I appreciate the advice about the enclosure. But that's not what the main issue is right this minute. And it liked the hide quite well, and usually hardly comes out of it, when acting normal that is.

Yeah, I didn't see the species originally so I assumed standard burrowing tarantula. I don't know enough about this particular species to critique your husbandry well.

 

[DSKO1]

Sorry to say that doesn't look good, but I'm not sure what might have caused it or exactly what's going on. I'd recommend just making sure there is a full water dish and I'm not sure what else can be done

I know, right. Me either I may take it to the vet tomorrow.

Yeah, I didn't see the species originally so I assumed standard burrowing tarantula. I don't know enough about this particular species to critique your husbandry well.

I raised it from a sling. It's has never been a burrowing type as far as I've seen. And usually makes no protest, even has been handled once or twice, no issue.

 

[viper69]

maybe it got hold of a bad cricket. I've heard a couple ppl say it can happen

Did you get the cricket from outside, perhaps where authorities or neighbors spray insecticides? If not, the bad cricket is nothing but internet myth and BS.

Doesn't eat whole lot.

All specimens vary, but typically iheringi are a voracious eaters, high metabolism, fast growth rate. I own G actaeon, and they are identical to iheringi in behavior metabolism etc.

Saw video- there is certainly something not right, but what, I cannot say.

 

[Smotzer]

I can’t view the video, but it was not a bad cricket. Do you have fluffy hairy pets such as a cat or dog that have had a topical flea treatment?

 

[DSKO1]

I can’t view the video, but it was not a bad cricket. Do you have fluffy hairy pets such as a cat or dog that have had a topical flea treatment?

No, I don't have anything but other T's. No cats or dogs. I'm terrible allergic. You think it's like a rash or something we can't see? I just put it in the ICU for safety reasons.

 

[DaveM]

That's not good. I doubt mosts vets could help you. They usually know a lot less about spiders than people here.
I agree with people above that most likely the spider has had exposure to pesticide somehow, that the only things you can do are eliminate any possible sources of exposure, and hope that your spider can outlive the effects.
Good luck

No, I don't have anything but other T's. No cats or dogs. I'm terrible allergic. You think it's like a rash or something we can't see? I just put it in the ICU for safety reasons.

ICUs are a bad idea. Obsolete advice. Take it out.

 

[DSKO1]

That's not good. I doubt mosts vets could help you. They usually know a lot less about spiders than people here.
I agree with people above that most likely the spider has had exposure to pesticide somehow, that the only things you can do are eliminate any possible sources of exposure, and hope that your spider can outlive the effects.
Good luck

Okay, fingers crossed Thanks for your help! I appreciate it, so does Gammy

 

[Dorifto]

Does your enclosure has any water dish? As others mentioned, looks like has been exposed to something, did you do something different out of normality?

Try to drop some water between the fangs to discard dehydration.

 

[DSKO1]

I saw it drinking some water earlier yesterday. I figured that was a good sign at least.
You don't see it in the photo, bcz I was swapping it out for a new one.
But drank some from the ICU dish as well. Gam Gam is Big on the water dish. Always has been. Full Dish, Mostly Dry Enclosure=Happy

As far as changing anything else besides the substrate yesterday, dish today, no. The enclosure has been the same for about 3mths. Same food. And it's usually Very Chill.

 

[Dorifto]

So did you change the enclosure 3 month ago? What did you change or added?

 

[cold blood]

I may take it to the vet tomorrow.

ONLY do this if you have a ton of extra money and do not mind throwing it away. (in which case I could use.....lol, nevermind)

Vets arent trained in inverts....but they will take your money as if they were.

Trust me, there is nothing, zippo that a vet can do and not much that can be done period.

I just put it in the ICU for safety reasons.

We call those death traps. a better idea is to simply dampen part of the substrate....I would keep an area damp and let it dry as a regular way of keeping this species,

These are bad symptoms, but not entirely unsurvivable....the good thing is that the t is plump....ts in this condition often have a really hard time feeding effectively, but yours is plump enough to not need food for a really long time. Keeping damper sub and water in the dish is a good start....it really is going to be a waiting game....it may recover after it molts....sometimes it can take several molts....sometimes the t doesnt make it.....50/50 IME.

These symptoms are most often associated with poisoning, but other things have been known to cause this....like dehydration, internal injury from a fall and probably a few things we havent put our fingers on quite yet.

I am dealing with an H.pulchripes now through its third molt and still eating and surviving, but not inspiring much confidence.

There is no magic pill or solution....although there has been anecdotal evidence from a few keepers who had apparent luck by raising temps.

 

[DSKO1]

So did you change the enclosure 3 month ago? What did you change or added?

Just the enclosure it self. To a slightly bigger size. Same brand, washed and dried overnight before I put it in. Didn't seem like a problem.

ONLY do this if you have a ton of extra money and do not mind throwing it away. (in which case I could use.....lol, nevermind)

Vets arent trained in inverts....but they will take your money as if they were.

Trust me, there is nothing, zippo that a vet can do and not much that can be done period.

We call those death traps. a better idea is to simply dampen part of the substrate....I would keep an area damp and let it dry as a regular way of keeping this species,

These are bad symptoms, but not entirely unsurvivable....the good thing is that the t is plump....ts in this condition often have a really hard time feeding effectively, but yours is plump enough to not need food for a really long time. Keeping damper sub and water in the dish is a good start....it really is going to be a waiting game....it may recover after it molts....sometimes it can take several molts....sometimes the t doesnt make it.....50/50 IME.

These symptoms are most often associated with poisoning, but other things have been known to cause this....like dehydration, internal injury from a fall and probably a few things we havent put our fingers on quite yet.

I am dealing with an H.pulchripes now through its third molt and still eating and surviving, but not inspiring much confidence.

There is no magic pill or solution....although there has been anecdotal evidence from a few keepers who had apparent luck by raising temps.

Okay, I'll put it back after I dampen it a bit. No worries there.

It is very lively. It seems like it wants to shake whatever it. I think drinking water is a good sign at least. But I'll just keep an eye on it. I figure the vet probably can't do much. That's an absolute last resort. I'd figure it'd be safer asking you all first. I appreciate the help. Thank you!


Oh if it needs to eat, should I prekill the food? Anything particular it should or shouldn't have right now?