Sun Spider Help

[Cloudk]

Hi. Well a little more than 5 months ago i found a sun spider in my house. He looked skinny. So fed him an appropriately size cockroach from my colony. He devoured the thing! It was amazing to watch him! Anyway, i feed him a baby roach(dubia) about 1ce every 2 weeks. He won't eat more than that, since i can't MAKE him eat. That's been his diet since i've had him, he got healthy looking. Past month or 2 he's started looking slimmer than i'd like, i got to thinking, maybe he doesn't like cockroaches. So been looking for a good place to get crickets. Decided on petsmart and i'll b getting my first batch in 2 weeks. MOVING ON. So, i haven't seen him for a few days. I go and pick up his rock. And i see his legs sticking straight up in the air! I thought maybe he was molting? So i put some water under his burrow and put him back in. Then i went and did research, well... doesn't seem like there IS any info on behavior, molting positions, or length of a sun spiders molting. I was referred to this site by a person from another website. Idk if you guys can help me find this info out. But its the 2nd day of his bizarre positioning. I know he's alive;if i readjust him, he'll wiggle his body aroud(legs stiff) into the previous position. Oh, a sign that makes me believe he's molting is: his skin looks dull, and he's obviously uncomfortable. All things that happen to my snakes and lizard. I know they're not the same. But its so similar. Can anyone answer: what are their molting positions? How long does it take? And is there anything else i should know about sun spider care? Sry for the letter thanks for reading.

 

[JadeWilliamson]

Find out the nomenclature of your specimen (the genus name followed by the species name). It'll be easier to identify on Google that way. That's step one.

 

[InvertFix]

That is an Eremobates sp. correct? Or do you know?

 

[Cloudk]

I'll do more detailed research. But quick, known answer: i live in the Mojave desert. So whichever kind lives there. I'lltry to find something exact if u need.

 

[InvertFix]

I believe you are referring to the camel spider (also windspider/sun spider) in the genus Eremobates I unfortunately do not know much about the species. Hopefully someone else can come along and help with your question. All I know is that if it was a tarantula, two days is far too long and you also aren't supposed to move or disturb them in that fragile state. I don't think it would be too different. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.)
Perhaps the spider got stuck in it's old "exo" when it failed to get out of it before it completely hardened. It may very well die... But keep us updated on it. Maybe someone else that knows better about this species can help you.

I hope your little one pulls through.

 

[Cloudk]

Is he suffering? Should i euthanize him? I don't want him to be in pain I'd rather fix him of course. He's a fun little guy.

 

[zonbonzovi]

http://www.solpugid.com/

A lot of information at the above site but much more devoted to taxonomic concerns. Check out the stickies at the top of the subforum for an array of individual experiences.

 

[Cloudk]

As i write this. His legs are still stiff and pointing up. I'm afraid its not looking good. Trying to keep up the extra humidity, & put him in a warmer place. Idk what else to do for him

 

[Mamata Polle]

Hi,
Sorry about your little friend... I have found that looking at videos on You Tube of how creatures molt can be very helpful. Alot of people keep unusual or obscure pets and post vids of them doing interesting things. For me, sometimes this is the only way I can do, "Research," on an animal that is not widely studied. 2 days does seem quite long for anything to molt to me, though I'm not sure if it would be better to help him, (If you can,) wait, or euthanize. I don't like to see creatures suffer either but hopefully that will not be necessary. I'll look around too and see if I can't help you more.
Be Well and God Bless,
Mamata

Post added 03-13-2012 at 09:40 PM

Ughhhh,
You're right, not much to find out there in the www. However there are some things you could tell that may be helpfull. Arthropods of all types have a place that they, "Unzip," from when they shed their skin. That's why it's helpful to see the process in action. With some creatures it's obvious, ie. when you look at a tarantula you can see how the relatively hairless plate on top of the cephalothorax would pop off, and the spider would then pull it's head, legs and abdomen out of that. Here's the problem, I can't see anything obvious in the anatomy of a solfugid that says where it pulls out of when it molts.
Perhaps you could tell us a few things, do you see any breaks in exo-skeleton? Do his limbs feel soft or stiff. Exactly what position is he in, on his back, front etc.?
All this would be simplified if you can take some pics and show us.
I hope someone can help,
Be Well and God Bless.

 

[Widowman10]

i'd leave him/her be for now. solpugids are crazy.

 

[Cloudk]

Ughhhh,
You're right, not much to find out there in the www. However there are some things you could tell that may be helpfull. Arthropods of all types have a place that they, "Unzip," from when they shed their skin. That's why it's helpful to see the process in action. With some creatures it's obvious, ie. when you look at a tarantula you can see how the relatively hairless plate on top of the cephalothorax would pop off, and the spider would then pull it's head, legs and abdomen out of that. Here's the problem, I can't see anything obvious in the anatomy of a solfugid that says where it pulls out of when it molts.
Perhaps you could tell us a few things, do you see any breaks in exo-skeleton? Do his limbs feel soft or stiff. Exactly what position is he in, on his back, front etc.?
All this would be simplified if you can take some pics and show us.
I hope someone can help,
Be Well and God Bless.[/QUOTE]


I found some info. But mostly about other arachnids. I found something saying about gently putting droplets of water on them to soften up their joint areas(i'm bad w/ anatomy). That didn't seem to do much. A few hrs later i tried another idea i read: Place them on a moist paper towel for a few hrs. Which i have just taken him out of. I can SEE him trying to pull out(it appears so anyway. Kinda like taking off a small jacket). I found some pieces coming off(his molt pieces), this was this morning after his "soak". Also saw some shiny parts that i don't recall seeing yesturday. HOPEFULLY this is a good thing! Position: He is laying on his tummy. Then sometimes he'd wriggle and turn on his side. But since his soak, it seems he wants to stay on his tummy. I'll try to take a picture of him later today. I made a little makeshift burrow w/ a wet towel in it to hopefully keep humidity up in the burrow, but not make it too humid. His legs were stiff, but because of his soak, they're moist, but still stiff. They seem to be drying off. As long as i see him keep trying, i don't think i should give up on him

---------- Post added 03-14-2012 at 10:18 AM ----------

It looks similar to this. But my pet has his legs bent back and no progress. Sorry about the authors language. It was the most similar i could find. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z84HlVby6Oc&nomobile=1

 

[Curious jay]

Hmm I was looking into these about 6 months ago as they look insane lol isn't too much info out there but a lot of reading of people's experiences with them is they seem to die off in captivity quite often but I never found the reason as to why they were dying as there were no specifics but molt issues seem to be the most plausible reason

 

[Cloudk]

Well. I think i know what went wrong. I THINK he didn't have enough moisture inside. Possibly dehydrated. There may be some specific need they have to molt properly. If people have success with their pets molt, it maybe they just happen to get the formula right for that molt. Point: they are REALLY sensitive. Mine's still trying to molt. I definitely can tell where he separates. So i guess he's making some progress.

 

[Cloudk]

I have wonderful news! I was about to give up, on my way downstairs to do the tragic deed. I took the lid off... looked at him and noticed his bum appeared to be clear. Just a tiny bit. So i thought, well. Couldn't hurt to give him another shot. So, i very gently opened the area of his shed. Then put him in a jar lid w/ a moist paper towel. And left him for the night. Checked on him, and omfg! He's molting! He is at the stage of finishing pulling out his head. His mouthparts are still in as well. BUT he is DEFINITELY molting! I moistened him a bit, and put him back in his home w/ a little moisture for humidity. Put his little hide over him, and put him in a quiet part of the house. Oh i hope he finishes!

 

[Widowman10]

hence why i said "leave him/her be."

you could have killed a perfectly normal arachnid just doing its thing!

hence the phrase: "unless it starts stinking, leave it alone!"

 

[Cloudk]

Checked up. Just has his legs left. Its alot different than a spider thats for sure. They wriggle and roll all over the tank. Very active. Idk if its normal for them to do that. I am preparing a new, larger home for him. In a week i'll move him to his new 10gal home. 20Lx10Wx12T. He's about 1.5in including legs.

 

[Widowman10]

cool. don't make the area too big unless you put a lot of hides in with it. they will literally run themselves to death. i usually keep mine in pretty small enclosures because of that.

 

[cacoseraph]

yup, don't write bugs off until the are crunchy or stinky

 

[Cloudk]

I was wondering if i should make his substrate the same as the mixture for the desert hairy scorpion? Part play sand and part potting soil(i have cactus soil). Then pack it so he can dig burrows? Its hard to find stable info... his current enclosure just has about an inch or 2 of just native sand. And a few hides. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Widowman10]

yep, caco! love it.

many of mine have used scrapes. it's not a huge deal. i've had them thrive on different subs. even lay eggs.