Unidentified "scab" on avic's knees

robshults

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Messages
16
I received the A. Avic pictured below yesterday. (The image quality is the best I could accomplish with my DV camcorder, the only digital device I have. Sorry.) The femur-patellar joints on each of the pinktoe's back legs have a strange, tan, crust-like covering that I can best describe as looking like a scab. The substance appears to be adhered to the joints and to a few hairs in the area. It is only present on the fourth legs. The spider does have one leg on the right side that appears to be only partially regenerated, as it is shorter and thinner than the rest.

I thought perhaps that if the tarantula had experienced molting difficulties in the past, these "scabs" might be pieces of old exoskeleton still stuck to its body. (Frankly, I don't even know if this is possible.) But I certainly am concerned that it might be carrying some kind of fungus, one that could spread to my other spiders. Anyone who can help identify this substance, please post. Thanks, everyone.
 

Attachments

robshults

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Messages
16
I did basically the same search last night, but don't have a better handle on what these things are. I've gotta borrow a camera or something and get a better pic of them; they're quite strange, particularly because they are so highly localized. Thanks for the help, though. Can anyone else point me in the right direction? I am somewhat worried about this.
 

BlkCat

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Nov 13, 2004
Messages
1,100
Is she acting any differ? eating? (or is it too early?)
 

robshults

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Messages
16
She just arrived about 36 hours ago, unfortunately. Since I've put her in her cage, she's remained perched on a piece of grapewood and hasn't moved more than half an inch. Actually, that kind of worried me too (but, I'm a rather excessive worrier). Every other tarantula I've ever had scurried around for quite awhile after being moved from a carrier to a cage. I nudged her out and she just sat there.
 

Fenris

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
288
One of my G. roseas had a missing leg and a "broken" leg when I recieved him a couple years ago. He also had a scab on the broken leg. I just left it alone, not wanting to hurt him further, and it was completely healed the next molt. If you're expecting a molt you could possible moisten the area with a drop of water to make sure there are no complications in that area.
 
Top