What have I done?

[Stoic]

What have I done? (dead avic)

My juvenile A. Avic. is dead. A few (3 or 4) days ago she ate and appeared to be doing fine yesterday.

However I just discovered her a about an hour ago, sort of "shriveled up" next to her water dish. I wanted to believe she was moulting, but she is totally lifeless (I've got her on my desk right now).

The room where I kept her (and my other T's) is usually 80-95F (27-35C) during a summer day. I know that's a bit warm, but I did not think it would be a problem.

She always had plenty of water and was kept at about 60 or 65% humidity in-between mistings (I went with the high ventilation theory).

Any ideas what happened? My 5 spiderlings (other sp.) appear to be doing well (I hope!).

Thanks,
Zach

 

[PINK1081]

Did direct sun light hit the sling for even a short time???...That will do them in real quick.
Jim

 

[Stoic]

Not a sling, a juvenile. There was no direct sunlight on her.

 

[jwasted]

hmm what is used to heat the room? was it really close to the heat source?

 

[ShadowBlade]

60% humidity is low, especially with high temps. If it was shriveled, and not small abdomen, then probably dried out. If the the hygrometer was near the substrate, then the air was probably 50% humidity or less. Sorry about your loss though...:8o

 

[Stoic]

hmm what is used to heat the room? was it really close to the heat source?

Lack of air conditioning in the room, elevation of room, and weather conditions all contribute to the temperature. In other words, I'm using no unnatural heat sources.

60% humidity is low, especially with high temps. If it was shriveled, and not small abdomen, then probably dried out. If the the hygrometer was near the substrate, then the air was probably 50% humidity or less. Sorry about your loss though...:8o

I thought Avicularia could handle slightly drier conditions if water was supplied at all times? Her water dish was about 5" in diameter and about .5" actual water depth. The hygrometer was near the top of the enclosure, almost exactly where she liked to hang out.

Just to clarify "shriveled": Right-side-up with legs pulled in tightly around her; a spider fetal position, minus the sideways part.

 

[ShadowBlade]

They can survive in moderately dry conditions, but it isn't good for them, it really stresses them out. Plus high heat. It might not of killed her though. If she was just curled up, it could have been anything. You had the hygrometer in the right place though.

 

[MindUtopia]

Who knows what it could have been. Your temps are kinda high. I usually keep mine at a max of 80F, usually closer to 75F. Humidity could be a factor if it was really low -or the combination of really low humidity and very high heat. But I don't keep my Avics much over 60% if that and never had a problem. Unfortunately, sometimes things just die, especially when they are young and Avics tend to me more fragile than others. Sorry for your loss!

 

[Stoic]

This is my second dead T.

My first happened a few years ago. He was a male brown/fuschia G. Rosea that escaped (cat knocked over enclosure) and was found dead about 3 months later.

What should I do with this corpse? I hate to waste something so attractive...

 

[Pennywise]

I agree with mindutopia, avics don't really need a lot of humidity. Mine are
doing fine at 60%. Light mistings every day or two but mainly spray the glass
and a few drops on the webbiing, don't soak the substrate or you will lose them.
Avics like their prey a bit smaller than some other Ts do. Smaller crix
work better than larger. I don't give mine a water dish until they are 2 1/2". At
2 1/2" they get a bottle cap water dish.

 

[TheNatural]

Who knows what it could have been....Unfortunately, sometimes things just die, especially when they are young and Avics tend to me more fragile than others. Sorry for your loss!

I agree with U mindUtopia.

And your temperature is a little bit high but thats not the problem, I ve been to many places where U can find avics and belive me.. the temperature can be very high also.

 

[neilkane]

no reason

animals can just die for no reason at all just like us. doesnt seem you did anything wrong at all to me. sorry for your loss..