T sitting in her water dish--pls help newbie!

[missghie]

Thanks, I hope you're right!

I did read through the sticky molting posts beforehand (guess I'm not a very good study:?), but my browswer has trouble opening pics from a lot of the older posts. Anyhow, her carapace has come off, that's about all I can really tell about her molt. And her legs are sorta splayed out to her sides. She looks like a limp doll. I'll just be patient and see what happens, cross my fingers, and definitely have learned a good lesson from this!

I have another question: some say that it's good to keep the icu in a dark, warm place. I've been keeping her in the warmest spot in my apt, which is in front of the wall heater in my living room, which has a western exposure and huge windows with blinds that don't block all the sunlight. Do I leave her as is even though it's not dark, do I try to put some fabric over the container, or do I put her in the closet where it's not warm at all?

Thanks again.

 

[killy]

...her carapace has come off, that's about all I can really tell about her molt. And her legs are sorta splayed out to her sides. She looks like a limp doll. ...

Well, those are the classic characteristics of the early stages of the molt process ... is she right-side up or on her back? Not that it matters, necessarily, but most been-there-done-that tarantulas agree that "on her back" would be the preferred way to do it.

As for the ICU question, I'd go for the "leaving her alone" option, as long as the ICU is not in direct sunlight - warmth is a good thing, when it comes to molts, and I've had many a T molt in daylight conditions and do just fine.

 

[Great Basin Ben]

Don't beat yourself up about this

Here's what happened to me not more than 6 months ago.
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=194605

It is a completely understandable reaction, for your new pet to have your FULL attention, and for you to want to do as much as you can to help them. I continue to remind myself NOW, that 450+ MILLION YEARS of evolution hasn't gotten them this far, for nothin'! They almost ALWAYS know what they're doing, we just need to sometimes "sit back" and let it happen. It can be hard too, especially if you're a complete animal lover, and used to "having" to nuture your other pets. I'm sure your next spider experience will be an altogether different one, and I wish you MUCH LUCK!

 

[missghie]

She passed. There's a creek surrounded by redwood trees next to my house, I'll lay her to rest there--RIP Aretha, sorry I didn't care for you better.

Ben--I read your thread--very similar case to mine, and I definitely learned the same hard lesson you did--to be patient, let nature do it's think, and to not panic. Probably a good lesson in general. It's good to hear that you've have had success with Ts since then. I'd still like to own a tarantula, but like I said, I think I'll wait till the weather gets warmer. I'm sure I won't make the same mistakes and will do a better job caring for the next one.

Everyone else, thank you very much for your input and advice. I sincerely appreciate it. This was a hard lesson to learn, and I truly appreciate everyone's support.

G