Not a good end to the day

[Rich.Harrington]

So I just got home from work, started to give the T's the twice weekly feed etc, After sorting out the ones upstairs I came downstairs to do my Cyriopagopus sp. However I'm greeting with not the best of sights. As below.

This morning before work the spider was up and wandering about all fine no indications of any problems at all. I have even just seena roach walk onto it's leg and still no response. It doesn't look much to me like a moulting position??

Anyone care to offer any opinions? So far I'm going to just avoid contact until morning, if the spider hasn't moved well then it will be a very bad friday.

[Louise~Nichols]

Ohhh errrr...is there a chance it has taken a fall?

I think I'd get a long soft paintbrush (art set type) and just give a gentle tickle now to see if it gets back on its feet.

Other than that, I've seen dehydrated spids sit *crumple-style*....but I'd go and see if you get a response from a nudge...then report back!

[Rich.Harrington]

Ok paint brush test reveals unusual results. The spider is certainly alive now, it moves slightly. It didnt rear up or anything which is odd for this species and this spider. Instead just dragged itself backwards from the brush, The legs don't seem able to fully support it?

The tank is 18x18x18 inches in size, I have seen the spider on the celieng and glass numerous times, however there is nothing but a few inches of substrate and soft plants below, I have observed a couple of falls but with the size of the tank, and size of the spider. (6" legspan) I didnt panic too much, thinking they would experience such things naturally anyhow.

So far I can't see any injuries to the abdomen, however with this spider I can't really take the risk of trying to pull it out to get a good look unless I know for sure it's injured.

[Louise~Nichols]

Can you do the *double tub* method with it? (ie..get it inside one tub then place another tub on top to push the spidey gently flat to view through the base)

I'm in two minds...sometimes a mild looking fall can be sufficient to cause damage...but it could be dehydrated and in need of a drink, and when they get too badly dried up they don't have any way of getting themselves to the water bowl for a slurp.

Try to get a closer look as safely as possible.

[Rich.Harrington]

Ok well I'm trying water first as its an easy and safe start, The humitity was abit low really. (my fault on not checking it regularly as im used to dry terrestrials)

I've just emptied a small bottle of water into the viv with misting, any other way you can suggest to let the spider drink, other than the obvious water bowl.?

Also if I get lucky and this is all the problem is, then how soon should I expect to see some results?

[Louise~Nichols]

Okey dokey...sounds like dehydration maybe more likely!!

So...you've given a good soak to the substrate by the bowl, and refilled the water to overflowing, so now...soak a lump of kitchen towel, fold it into a *wad* and use tongs to drop it under the spids *nose*...it may decide to have a slurp from the tissue...or you can try to escort it over to the water bowl.

It should pick up within 24 hours, but keep an eye on it.

[Rich.Harrington]

Yeah teh waterbowl was full and more. (lucky enough to have an exo terranium so watertight. The spider has been given a nudge and push to the bowl, for which if it pulls through I doubt I'll be thanked. I'll just try the kitchen towel now and keep my fingers crossed.

As usual thanks for the advice, just hope this is a scary lesson and nothing more.

[Louise~Nichols]

I'll have my fingers crossed for you too, good luck...and you're welcome.

[Toran Tanner]

the tank looks dry as a bone in the pic's and the bum is small. go from there

[James Box]

i suppose you could try holding some soaked kitchen roll to her fangs with your forceps or a long stick of some kind? rub it on, she may take a drink!
good luck mate...
i didn't do too well with my Singapore blue, either...but mine didn't make it.

[Toran Tanner]

i suppose you could try holding some soaked kitchen roll to her fangs with your forceps or a long stick of some kind? rub it on, she may take a drink!
good luck mate...
i didn't do too well with my Singapore blue, either...but mine didn't make it.

I am going to come down there and smack you around a bit LOL. why are you losing good spiders. we talked about this did we. on the way to newark.

[Tom Forman]

the tank looks dry as a bone in the pic's and the bum is small. go from there

Yes very dry indeed by the looks of things. You need to water that substrate more.
If it was me I would add a good half liter of water to that substrate...

Gl with the recovery

[Rich.Harrington]

Well current situation is promising, the spider has dragged itself to the water bowl and is not "head" first down in it. So things are looking like dehydration and not an injury. A hard lesson to learn but a lucky one at that I guess.

[James Box]

I am going to come down there and smack you around a bit LOL. why are you losing good spiders. we talked about this did we. on the way to newark.

lol i almost smacked myself...was gutted, but at the time knew nothing about arboreals! still know almost nothing.

[Oli Dodds]

Question....
Why is an aboreal in a terrestrial setup?
You may be stressing the little guy, give him something to climb on!!!
Oli