What is going on?!?! Dehydration? Temp?

Gooty11

Arachnopeon
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Feb 25, 2017
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A couple months ago my A. Geniculata went into a death curl and unfortunately didn't make it. What concerned me was that she was eating well, had a water dish, etc. My only problem is the temperature; I live in Southern California, and at night, it gets quite cold in my room. I don't have any supplemental heat because as a general rule it is not required. Fast forward to today, and I see my GBB exhibiting a slight curl in the legs. Again, she's eating well, has water, so my concern is that it's getting too cold in my room? Maybe time to invest in a space heater? I do not know why my tarantulas are having these problems, any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
 

KezyGLA

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I doubt heat is the issue. Probably parasite of some sort from bad feeders.
are the Ts adults?
 

Chris LXXIX

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Well, first I need to ask you this: cold... how much, man? Remember, a 'cold' Theraphosidae is/acts sluggish, in a too hot environment one, a Theraphosidae is/risk to be 'cooked'. The latter IMO is always worst. This aside for really "ice" cold temps.

I agree with KezyGLA, probably something involving intoxication due to preys.
 

KezyGLA

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Do you have photos of setups? Humidity may be an issue with GBB.
 

checkmate

Arachnoknight
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What's up, Irvine (I grew up there). Anyway, I live in So Cal and keep my central heating set to about 68F and mine are all fine. But I agree with the others, probably not due to the cold.
 

MetalMan2004

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I assume or lows outside are in the 50s at night? If so, surely the temps inside your place are 65+. They might prefer it a bit warmer than that but I don't think that would seriously hurt or kill them.

Posting pictures is indeed a good idea. With a gbb just make sure the substrate is totally dry and that it has a water dish (sounds like it does). If you have all this correct and there is still an issue its going to be a bit harder to find the problem and solution...
 

Gooty11

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Feb 25, 2017
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I doubt heat is the issue. Probably parasite of some sort from bad feeders.
are the Ts adults?
Both are juveniles. I never considered a parasite to be an issue? How do you think I could tell for sure if it's a parasite? That would be quite awful...
 

Sana

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How much time has passed since the first one started having problems? I feel like if the events have occurred a couple weeks apart then a feeder or environmental issue is most likely the problem. If it's been more than a month though it seems less likely that a parasite or toxin exposure is the cause. If I missed this information somewhere I apologize.
 

Gooty11

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Feb 25, 2017
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I assume or lows outside are in the 50s at night? If so, surely the temps inside your place are 65+. They might prefer it a bit warmer than that but I don't think that would seriously hurt or kill them.

Posting pictures is indeed a good idea. With a gbb just make sure the substrate is totally dry and that it has a water dish (sounds like it does). If you have all this correct and there is still an issue its going to be a bit harder to find the problem and solution...
At the very worst the temp is at the low 60's but usually around 65 I'd say. Yup, I leave the substrate totally dry, and the water dish is filled. It's just weird because it's like deja vu with my geniculata. Don't know what's up.
 

Gooty11

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Feb 25, 2017
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How much time has passed since the first one started having problems? I feel like if the events have occurred a couple weeks apart then a feeder or environmental issue is most likely the problem. If it's been more than a month though it seems less likely that a parasite or toxin exposure is the cause. If I missed this information somewhere I apologize.
It was about 4 weeks apart. However, I've been feeding all my T's from the same feeder and all the other ones have been doing fine.
 

cold blood

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Why are people in warm climates so resistant to heating? In the north we have these things called furnaces and thermostats, even when its -10 we can keep the temps at literally any level we want.:astonished: I mean, why not just set it at 68, its only going to go on to warm it a few degrees...is there no furnace option? I assume you're not in a camper.

I mean, when its 50 out and my thermostat is set at 68-70, the furnace hardly ever goes on and barely needs to work to keep those temps....its not even a major expense to heat a dwelling when its only 50 degrees outside.
 

Gooty11

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Feb 25, 2017
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What's up, Irvine (I grew up there). Anyway, I live in So Cal and keep my central heating set to about 68F and mine are all fine. But I agree with the others, probably not due to the cold.
Looks like 68F is the key temperature then. Thanks for the advice!
 

Sana

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Excellent enclosure! I have to keep my house a little warmer then I'm totally excited about with my exotics. I don't let it drop below 73 unless something happens outside of my control (like the power outage this week).
 

KezyGLA

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Enclosure looks fine. Bumping the heat up wont do damage. What do you use as prey and where do you get them?

I really think temperatures arent too bad. Lower temps shouldnt be an issue for the GBB but the enclosure being dry is a must.

Did you buy them as CB slings?

Struggling to think what the problem could be. Do you have a photo of both Ts in the curls?
 

Spidermolt

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May 29, 2015
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My general rule of thumb is to always aim for a minimun of 70 degrees. during winter months my T room is usually between 72-74 degrees and summer months are around 78-80

Also are there any type of perfumes in the room?
 

Gooty11

Arachnopeon
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Feb 25, 2017
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Enclosure looks fine. Bumping the heat up wont do damage. What do you use as prey and where do you get them?

I really think temperatures arent too bad. Lower temps shouldnt be an issue for the GBB but the enclosure being dry is a must.

Did you buy them as CB slings?

Struggling to think what the problem could be. Do you have a photo of both Ts in the curls?
I use crickets and superworms from my local petsmart. I didn't get them as slings but I do know they are captive bred, and at the moment I don't have any pics. The curls are nothing too extreme, but to me it signals a problem. I can get pics as soon as I see it again.
 

Gooty11

Arachnopeon
Joined
Feb 25, 2017
Messages
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My general rule of thumb is to always aim for a minimun of 70 degrees. during winter months my T room is usually between 72-74 degrees and summer months are around 78-80

Also are there any type of perfumes in the room?
Nope, nothing sprayed or scented in my room that would upset the T's.
 
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