Lasiodora Parahybana not eaten for 10 months

[Phil Lilley]

Re: Lasiodora Parahybana not eaten for 10 months

Hi Simon. A year for an LP IS a long time, mine would eat every day if I let her!

Anyways, the length of time isn't a major worry, as has been said, they will go for a longer time without it.

My is about 5 inches LS at the moment, and I feed her medium to large crickets/locusts, which she snaps up. Since they are so cheap, you can't hurt to try them.

[Peter Lacey]

These are usually ravenous eaters so its unusual for it to go without food for so long. However, I suspect its now coming up for a moult so I'd personally soak the substrate (not so there's puddles but substrate remains damp) and continue with this for a week or so, see if she moults.

If the abdomen is well rounded and not wrinkled then she should be fine.

[Simon Bateson]

Hi Phil,

My LP is closer to 8 inches but she has never been a huge eater, taking a few black crickets every few weeks.

She also has a great temperament and never flicks or is aggressive so I guess she doesn't follow the standard LP bio

I'll try soaking the substrate as Peter Lacey suggests to see if that helps bring on a moult

Thanks everyone for your input

[Kevin Lapp]

That A. hentzi has just molted this week. I will see if it is hungry next week. Usually I find they are most willing to eat just after a molt. Hope yours molts soon.

[Simon Bateson]

Hi Guys,
Just thought I'd give you an update on the my fasting LP as we've just passed the 14 month mark.

Still not eaten, offered her some crickets and roaches but not interested. She still seems to be in good health and I'm noticing maybe the start of a dark bald patch on her abdomen so maybe the molt is coming - I'll let you know

[Simon Bateson]

Okay,

Saw her spinning a molting mat late last night and found her on her back this morning. No real sign of anything happening up to now (1:30pm) . At what point may I need to help her?

I read that a molt can take two days but is there a point where I need to intervene to help her (is that even possible?) if she seems to be stuck?

[Peter Lacey]

the liklihood of you trying to help is probably going to do the exact opposite.
Get the substrate moist (off-dry but not boggy) and make sure she has a water bowl. Leave her undisturbed, away from too high a heat, and leave her to it. They've been doing this for millions of years. We havent

[Simon Bateson]

Thanks for the advice Peter

Got back from work and all done

I know have a beautiful new black LP.

Comparing with the last molt she has grown quite a bit

Thanks to everyone for hand-holding me through the last 15 months of not eating