Tarsal claw stuck in paint brush

[Tarantuland]

So I just did a few rehousings and a 2” T vagans got its tarsal claws on front two legs stuck in the end paintbrush. I got them out with the spider seemingly unharmed, but I had never seen this or heard of this. After I got the first leg free, it started trying to walk away with the paint brush still stuck to it. I’m glad it was a T vagans and not an OBT or something, but has anyone else seen this happen?

 

[Frogdaddy]

So I just did a few rehousings and a 2” T vagans got its tarsal claws on front two legs stuck in the end paintbrush. I got them out with the spider seemingly unharmed, but I had never seen this or heard of this. After I got the first leg free, it started trying to walk away with the paint brush still stuck to it. I’m glad it was a T vagans and not an OBT or something, but has anyone else seen this happen?

Is the T. vagans name Bob Ross?
How weird. Where did it get stuck in the bristles or more where the bristles attach to the brush handle?

 

[ConstantSorrow]

Is the T. vagans name Bob Ross?

i actually have a T. albopilosus with that name. It hasn't painted a single happy tree yet.

 

[CommanderBacon]

I have never heard of this. How did it happen? Are the brush hairs super fine?

 

[Tarantuland]

Is the T. vagans name Bob Ross?
How weird. Where did it get stuck in the bristles or more where the bristles attach to the brush handle?

It was in the bristles

I have never heard of this. How did it happen? Are the brush hairs super fine?

It didn’t seem like it to me but I’m not sure. I had never heard of it either

 

[l4nsky]

Yep, I've had this happen often enough that I needed to figure out a solution, but not often enough to figure out a new prodding stick. My prodding stick has a piece of pipe cleaner on the end and the fine hairs of the pipecleaner can get stuck on tarsal claws, especially if they go into a threat pose and start slapping the prodding stick. It's usually not an issue if you understand and know the way the tarsal claws are shaped (they're recurved, like python fangs. If a GTP or a retic bites you, NEVER pull away. Their fangs are designed to hold struggling prey, so ironically, you actually want to push your hand/arm/whatever bitten body part further into the snakes mouth and then gently pry it open to remove the snake). To help the tarantula get unstuck, you want to do a vertical, circular, clockwise motion (parallel to the straight line of the prodding stick and the tarantula's leg) with the prodding stick. First, you want to gently push the prodding stick towards the tarantula (GENTLE is the key word, you don't want them freaking out and bolting away without their leg) to get its leg to curl back towards the body (NEVER pull straight back as the first step, the claws won't release as they are designed not to). Usually this step alone will get the claws unstuck, but if it doesn't, SLOWLY and GENTLY "go around the clock" by lifting up and pulling back towards you, rotating the tarantula's leg down, back, up, and just starting to come forward (kind of like an upside down bicep curl). This should release or cause them to "kick" off it. Of special note is when the tarantula is stuck and it has unstable footing like it's on the vertical side of a catch cup. You don't want them losing their grip and falling, potentially pulling their leg off under their own weight. Try to slowly get them to the ground before you attempt to untangle them to avoid this potential hazard.

 

[viper69]

T vagans got its tarsal claws on front two legs stuck in the end paintbrush

Not me, but I rarely use a paintbrush, I normally use a more solid surface

To help the tarantula get unstuck, you want to do a vertical, circular, clockwise motion (parallel to the straight line of the prodding stick and the tarantula's leg) with the prodding stick

I had A's in geometry, but this requires a visual for me hah. not asking you to do it mind you, but if you are so bored that watching paint dry is exciting, please make a video of this.

 

[l4nsky]

I had A's in geometry, but this requires a visual for me hah. not asking you to do it mind you, but if you are so bored that watching paint dry is exciting, please make a video of this.

Lol as soon as I posted that, I realized how convoluted it was, but I couldn't think of a better way at the time to describe it. Still can't really. I have some rehousing gifs I want to make for my methodology thread using my catchcup system. I can probably induce a small tangle and demonstrate it then. It wouldn't harm or really stress the T out any more than the rehouse would and it would be a one time thing to visually share the knowledge. I'll consider it for the future.

 

[joossa]

Gently poke higher up on the legs or on the abdomen instead of at the end of the legs next time?

 

[Craig73]

Lol as soon as I posted that, I realized how convoluted it was, but I couldn't think of a better way at the time to describe it. Still can't really. I have some rehousing gifs I want to make for my methodology thread using my catchcup system. I can probably induce a small tangle and demonstrate it then. It wouldn't harm or really stress the T out any more than the rehouse would and it would be a one time thing to visually share the knowledge. I'll consider it for the future.

I thought you explained it rather well. Had a mind movie going each step of the way. If I could extract it out of my head and not have it look like a toddler drew it I‘d give it to @viper69.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Nope but I've never used paintbrushes for coaxing tarantulas around, always seemed like a dumb thing to use.

 

[LucN]

Sometimes mine will grab hold of the brush, but has never gotten the claws stuck on it so far. *Knocks on wood* Usually, I touch between the tarsus and the patella. Unless they're being stubborn, they usually back off or move forward when I need them to. Let's not forget, it's only Brachys/Grammys/Tlilts that I work with (so far), so I don't have issues with the paintbrush for moving them around. Probably not something I would do with a more reactive T, such as P. cancerides or A. geniculata.

 

[joossa]

Nope but I've never used paintbrushes for coaxing tarantulas around, always seemed like a dumb thing to use.

What do you use?

 

[Scp682]

I use bamboo takeout chopsticks and never have issues

 

[Kibosh]

I also just use a bamboo artist stick. Can get them at any hobby shop and in the art section of most convince stores. Long or as thick as you want. Have a dull end perfect for proding a T without harm.