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whats wrong with Gringo?

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  • #1

    whats wrong with Gringo?

    hey guys, i need some help, my b.smithi is causing me concern at the moment. she is a healthy sub adult female who is well looked after but as of late has not quite been herself, i got her out for a stretch today and she almost seemed to have trouble moving. she decided she would like to try and run but found it hard to place her feet and sounded like she was huffing or sniffling. i dont know whats wrong with her but i hope she is going to be ok, she's my favourite
    THE SOUTH EAST ARACHNID SHOW, SUNDAY 29TH JANUARY, ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, JUNCTION 10 M20

    My Collection: - Support captive breeding
    Tags: gringo, wrong
  • #2
    Hi Mate

    If we go through step by step...

    Has she stopped eating recently and possibly therefore coming up for a moult ??

    Or, is there water readily available? is she showing signs of dehydration (i.e. shrunken abdomen)?

    What's the temperature of her enclosure?

    Colin
    Don't forget to learn what you can, when you can, where you can.



    Please Support CB Grammostola :- Act Now To Secure The Future

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    • #3
      the tank temp is kept at around 23 - 25 degrees centigrade. due to new substrate going in not long ago and being a tad too moist, there is no water dish but was definitely humid enough and i have read that if they need a drink they will suck it from the substrate. she is full of colour and shows no sign of moulting, plus the last time she moulted was on christmas day, so not due one. through the advice of andrew smith i have not offered her food for about 2 weeks now as he commented that i may be over feeding her and she is a nice size, physically to look at she looks really healthy but just isnt acting it
      THE SOUTH EAST ARACHNID SHOW, SUNDAY 29TH JANUARY, ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, JUNCTION 10 M20

      My Collection: - Support captive breeding

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      • #4
        Are you able to get a look at her underside to check her mouth and booklungs for anything out of the ordinary?

        The huffing really intrigues me, I wonder what would make a spider do that.

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        • #5
          nothing appears to be out of the ordinary, it intrigued me too, i didnt think it was scientifically possible for a tarantula to do that, i know some specias can hiss but never huffing lol
          THE SOUTH EAST ARACHNID SHOW, SUNDAY 29TH JANUARY, ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, JUNCTION 10 M20

          My Collection: - Support captive breeding

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          • #6
            Well the dehydration theory is void then if she looks healthy.

            If you've been offering her a little extra to eat over a period of time then she'd also have enough reserve to last for quite a while, not feeding her for a couple of weeks shouldn't make a difference.

            Does she seem "stiff" when she walks or does it just look like hard work for her?

            I only say because i had a rosea that looked like she had arthritis a couple of weeks after i changed her substrate. i usually use a form of reclaimed peat but changed to a compost style due to the other being out of stock.
            after the change in the rosea (and after checking all the usuals) i looked at the bag and there was a small percentage of fertiliser added, (not usually a problem in small amounts) I changed the substrate to coir and within a week she was back to normal. Could be coincidence but i'm not so sure.
            Don't forget to learn what you can, when you can, where you can.



            Please Support CB Grammostola :- Act Now To Secure The Future

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            • #7
              hard to describe the walking, and i am using coir for her substrate, the same as she had before the change
              THE SOUTH EAST ARACHNID SHOW, SUNDAY 29TH JANUARY, ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, JUNCTION 10 M20

              My Collection: - Support captive breeding

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              • #8
                Definitely have a look now at the underside like Kate has said.

                I find the easiest way is to get her into a cricket tub bottom then use a second tub bottom in the first to lightly press down on her to brace her whilst you turn her over.
                If you can get her right with her legs slightly splayed you will get a good view of her ventral side and check for things such as mites, mould, fungal growths etc etc.
                Don't forget to learn what you can, when you can, where you can.



                Please Support CB Grammostola :- Act Now To Secure The Future

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                • #9
                  i had a brief look at her underside yesterday and was all clear, she is not with me at the moment as i am at work but when i get back i will definitely have another look incase something has developed since i last checked
                  THE SOUTH EAST ARACHNID SHOW, SUNDAY 29TH JANUARY, ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, JUNCTION 10 M20

                  My Collection: - Support captive breeding

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                  • #10
                    is the soil still damp? Try keeping it dry for a bit if it still is.

                    One can never be too sure but I reckon when a T is completely hydrated, too much humidity can stress them out.
                    <<< Waxworm specialist >>>

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