P scorfa that refuses to eat

[Kain Prestwood]

I have had my P scrofa now since April, but it's never ate a thing.

I have tried it on crickets (brown and black) waxworms, fat mealworms and still she refuses too eat.

Shes kept in a set up the same as you keep G rosea's (as advised)

Shes not shrivelled or thin, nothing like that either

I know rosea's have a habit of fasting, but does the same apply to this species too?

Getting abit concerned now.

Kain

[Kain Prestwood]

22 views, guess know one knows then?

Will ask on Archnoboards.

Kain

[Colin D Wilson]

Apparently they're from the same region as G rosea so in turn, if the environment has a drastic bearing on the feeding habits, i would presume that they would have the same habits in general i.e. tempermental feeding etc etc
a mediteranian climate (long dryish summer months and a slightly more humid winter period) may bring it around to feeding...summer would be about 78 degrees (ish) with a slight drop off in the winter.

[Kain Prestwood]

Thanks Colin.

I think I have solved the problem, shes on her back ready to shed! Must have been a long pre-moult?

Kain

[Colin D Wilson]

Long pre-moult, again, very Grammostola like in my experience, glad you're sorted and know whats happening now mate

[Kain Prestwood]

Shes really struggling to get out the skin, I've had to free her book lungs as I was worried she was suffocating.

Shes hasn't made a molt mat either. and now the tip of her rear leg is bleeding (now stopped with ciggy ash, didn't want to use superglue in case she stuck to her old skin)

Is this a bad molt? Shes doesn't seem to be getting her legs out at all. Shes been like this now since sometime overnight.

Getting very concerned for her now.

Kain

[Colin D Wilson]

Whats the humidity like at the mo, maybe a touch higher would assist.

[Kain Prestwood]

Got the humidity up for about 80 now, it was like that before anyway due to condensation, but looks likes her carapace has gone hard before finishing.

Damn it..It's a failed molt. I thought it was odd this morning, she hasn't even put a molt mat down.

Think something has gone wrong somewhere - Or she is a mature male and this is post penultimate molt.

Kain

[Mark Pennell]

Kain
Rose water or glycerin applied on a fine paint brush is a good medium to assist in difficult molts.

When a tarantula molts is a very traumatic time for them, they have had the senses cut of for a while and they emerge and everything is back up on full alert, so disturbance should always be kept minimal or stealthy.

If they seem to be taking a long time, they may just be resting then start pumping again. Its a fine line to judge.

Molt mats are not always laid down, I have noticed that my older spiders, 20 years plus generally just roll over where they felt comfortable and popped out thier skins.

Where younger juveniles tended to silk a mat.

Hope yours pulls through OK.

Cheers
Mark

[Kain Prestwood]

Thanks Mark.

I think this is a male, so maybe its the molt after the penultimate molt? Checked this morning and still the same as I left it yesterday. I'm just keeping it warm and moist and hoping for the best.

Cheers

Kain

[Rebecca Norris]

Any news today Kain?

[Kain Prestwood]

He's died.

I managed to peal off the rest of the skin of the abdomen (after death) and found out he's a male.

I'm guessing he was a mature male post penultamate molt.



Kain

[Rebecca Norris]

Awwww sorry to hear that
RIP little scrofa!

[Elaine Ross]

I'm sorry to hear that Kain.

RIP little one

Elaine

[James Box]

my condolences!!!
having bad luck lately, aren't we?