T. stirmi sling no fangs?

Matt W

Arachnopeon
Joined
Nov 11, 2023
Messages
24
I got a T. stirmi sling from (vendor redacted). It didn't eat at all for the first week and a half, but then molted so I figured pre-molt. I did notice that it was missing a pedipalp before the molt (and has a tiny one now after the molt) and I couldn't tell if it had fangs at all. It's been another couple of weeks since molting--it's about 1.5"--and I've tried to feed it mealworms. It'll pounce on them, but doesn't keep them. They wiggle away and bury themselves. I pre-killed one and the spider did grab it and is trying to eat it, but I think it only has vestigial fangs after the molt. It's hard to see from this image, but I can see tiny fangs trying to sink into the mealworm with no real success. Is the sling doomed?
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Charliemum

Arachnocompulsive
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Mar 5, 2021
Messages
1,148
3rd that, bug soup and now more then ever it is important to keep that water dish full.

Bug soup =
blended feeder of your choice with a few drops of water . (I suggest mealworms they hold the most fat for your t.)
Leave this mixture in a low sided dish next to your t in hopes he eats it or trys.
If that fails you can try and pin him and use a pipette to drip the mixture onto his mouth drop by drop but this is stressful to your t and is a LAST option, low dish is your first port of call.
This mixture will go off quickly so only leave it in the viv for an hour or 2 then remove it. You can offer this every 5/6 days to try and fatten him up quickly.

I will say I have never had this happen but I have planned for it just incase, this is only what I would do from the info I gathered in my research. I hope it helps him.

It's disgusting someone sold you a t in that bad a shape, I really hope he pulls through for you. If I missed anything or you have more questions just ask and I wish yous good luck.
 
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