Brachypelma is dead?

[tomervayn]

Hi my sling brachypelma has closed his enclosure around July last year and 3 months ago he opened his hidden area without coming out, I dropped a worm in the area and 1 second later it was gone I guess he took it inside since I took my eyes of for a moment only and the worm was dead so few days later he closed his place again and since then I have not seen him at all, I try to drop worms in the area of his water and leave it for few hours but nothing…
Is there a chance that he’s dead or should I let him be till he gets out?
I’m scared that he tried from cold or something but I don’t want to scare him and pick up his house suddenly
Thanks for the help

He’s about 1 - 2 years old, pretty small and the first time I’m in the molting business

 

[Amy F]

Hi my sling brachypelma has closed his enclosure around July last year and 3 months ago he opened his hidden area without coming out, I dropped a worm in the area and 1 second later it was gone I guess he took it inside since I took my eyes of for a moment only and the worm was dead so few days later he closed his place again and since then I have not seen him at all, I try to drop worms in the area of his water and leave it for few hours but nothing…
Is there a chance that he’s dead or should I let him be till he gets out?
I’m scared that he tried from cold or something but I don’t want to scare him and pick up his house suddenly
Thanks for the help

He’s about 1 - 2 years old, pretty small and the first time I’m in the molting business

Don’t worry too much, one worm will be enough to sustain it for quite some time, being opportunistic feeders they can go for very long periods without eating. Try taking a photo of the enclosure and compare it each day to look for disturbances in the webbing etc. it may well be preparing for a moult or just hiding away because it has no need to come out and explore. The bigger and older they get the more confident they become and so will be out a lot more. I hope this helps

 

[AndrewClayton]

Hi my sling brachypelma has closed his enclosure around July last year and 3 months ago he opened his hidden area without coming out, I dropped a worm in the area and 1 second later it was gone I guess he took it inside since I took my eyes of for a moment only and the worm was dead so few days later he closed his place again and since then I have not seen him at all, I try to drop worms in the area of his water and leave it for few hours but nothing…
Is there a chance that he’s dead or should I let him be till he gets out?
I’m scared that he tried from cold or something but I don’t want to scare him and pick up his house suddenly
Thanks for the help

He’s about 1 - 2 years old, pretty small and the first time I’m in the molting business

Can you post pics? What size was the sling the last you seen it and what are the temperatures it's being kept at, this is normal behaviour for bigger spiders not so much for a sling unless it's being kept at very low temps. The sling stage should be over if it's nearly 2 years old

 

[Evilme]

Hiya! Oh the Brachys! This species…..slow growers, sometimes burrowers, and some finicky eaters. I have my hamorii that still seems to not want to eat as regularly as some of my other tarantulas. My first T was a hammori and she would burrow and disappear, eat once in a blue moon and they are still fine. My sub adult (Salem), I think the last time that she ate was sometime early December/late November she is and I swear she gives me a run for my money. I want her to molt (still hasn’t since I got her) to see if one of her limbs comes back. I have a few brachys slings and the burrow and I never really see. As long as the food disappears (even when it doesn’t- don’t worry too much). One of the biggest thing I can suggest is watch a lot of videos! It’s common what you are experiencing. It’s another reason why I made sure all my enclosures are clear, are not insanely big that you can lose track of your T and easier to monitor. I have attached a few pics. Cordelia the sling, was my FIRST, I originally had her in too big of an enclosure and rehoused her. Sometimes that is what I do if I’m concerned. How big was she when the last time you saw her and do you have pics of her enclosure? I have attached some of my Brachys to show you what I’m doing and it helps with my concerns.

 

[tomervayn]

This is a picture of the enclosure but I have noticed that there is a small whole near the water cup and the worm I dropped is inside I can see it barely but there is more web around the worm every single time I check so I’m guessing he’s alright down there and enjoying his time just sad I haven’t seen him half a year already

 

[tomervayn]

And this was his size before he digged down and disappear to me

 

[tomervayn]

Some more photos of her, I hope the enclosure not too big since she did climb around and fall on her back so I hope she is not injured or something

 

[AndrewClayton]

And this was his size before he digged down and disappear to me

You're setup is way off, there should be no more than 2x DLS for head space it could easily be living in one of those tubs that @Evilme posted. That enclosure is more for an arboreal T, a fall from the top of that especially onto that rock and you're T is dead. I was all for just leaving it be, but I'm gawna say you should probably be digging the T out now if you still haven't seen it. Also it wouldn't just web up a worm are you sure it's web and not mould growing?

 

[tomervayn]

You're setup is way off, there should be no more than 2x DLS for head space it could easily be living in one of those tubs that @Evilme posted. That enclosure is more for an arboreal T, a fall from the top of that especially onto that rock and you're T is dead. I was all for just leaving it be, but I'm gawna say you should probably be digging the T out now if you still haven't seen it. Also it wouldn't just web up a worm are you sure it's web and not mould growing?

It’s is my first t and the person who sold me her gave me this enclosure and told me it will be good,
I did hear the T fall of the side on the rock and it was okay, I’m afraid to dig it out? Should I just try to pick up the rock and see if it’s underneath?

 

[AndrewClayton]

It’s is my first t and the person who sold me her gave me this enclosure and told me it will be good,
I did hear the T fall of the side on the rock and it was okay, I’m afraid to dig it out? Should I just try to pick up the rock and see if it’s underneath?

If you actually heard it fall dig it out now, check for any injuries if it is leaking hemolymph use corn starch to help it heal. Try and get some photos please this will help alot. None of this is you're fault so don't let it put you off if the T doesn't survive, it's a beginner mistake we all have to learn, you done the right thing coming on here. Yeah pick the rock out and try to find the spider.

 

[tomervayn]

If you actually heard it fall dig it out now, check for any injuries if it is leaking hemolymph use corn starch to help it heal. Try and get some photos please this will help alot. None of this is you're fault so don't let it put you off if the T doesn't survive, it's a beginner mistake we all have to learn, you done the right thing coming on here. Yeah pick the rock out and try to find the the spider.

Hey I just picked up the rock to make sure that she’s okay and if you can see the video then please let me know if I should leave her there because I do not want to touch her and stress her out, she looks compostable inside

 

[tomervayn]

And she looks very big compare to what I have seen her before

 

[AndrewClayton]

And she looks very big compare to what I have seen her before

Completely remove the brick that is too dangerous it doesn't need it either, I'm having a heart attack seeing you hold it over the T lol. There is no moult to be seen so it hasn't grown any, sometimes they can look bigger to you if they have eaten and you haven't seen there abdomen will grow as it's the only soft section they have. You can make that setup work. Do you have more substrate? Take the T out it will be fine keep it in a secure container (some sort of cup or something) fill the tank to more than half way with substrate and just make a starter burrow for it in one of the corners by poking it with you're fingers or something you could add the brick back at this point if you wanted as there will be minimal fall risk and more stability with the extra substrate.

 

[tomervayn]

Completely remove the brick that is too dangerous it doesn't need it either, I'm having a heart attack seeing you hold it over the T lol. There is no moult to be seen so it hasn't grown any, sometimes they can look bigger to you if they have eaten and you haven't seen there abdomen will grow as it's the only soft section they have. You can make that setup work. Do you have more substrate? Take the T out it will be fine keep it in a secure container (some sort of cup or something) fill the tank to more than half way with substrate and just make a starter burrow for it in one of the corners by poking it with you're fingers or something you could add the brick back at this point if you wanted as there will be minimal fall risk and more stability with the extra substrate.

I will do that and send new photo, on Wendsday I will buy the stubtret and new small house thing and make a redisgn of that enclosure

 

[AndrewClayton]

I will do that and send new photo, on Wendsday I will buy the stubtret and new small house thing and make a redisgn of that enclosure

Looks like it's a mesh top on that too? There no use the T can get it's feet caught in the mesh and adult T's have chewed through some. You can replace it though with a sheet of acrylic cut to size with air holes drilled in it, this isn't as urgent as getting more substrate in there though to prevent fall risk.

 

[AndrewClayton]

Looks like it's a mesh top on that too? There no use the T can get it's feet caught in the mesh and adult T's have chewed through some. You can replace it though with a sheet of acrylic cut to size with air holes drilled in it, this isn't as urgent as getting more substrate in there though to prevent fall risk.

There are people who make custom tops depending on the size you have, have a search on here I'm sure someone will have them for sale.

 

[tomervayn]

Ye

Looks like it's a mesh top on that too? There no use the T can get it's feet caught in the mesh and adult T's have chewed through some. You can replace it though with a sheet of acrylic cut to size with air holes drilled in it, this isn't as urgent as getting more substrate in there though to prevent fall risk.

Yeah it came with the Terrium it self,
It looks like this ,
But how can I change the top if it’s designed to be like that? And it’s feels a bit of metal mesh and very hard

 

[AndrewClayton]

Ye

Yeah it came with the Terrium it self,
It looks like this ,
But how can I change the top if it’s designed to be like that? And it’s feels a bit of metal mesh and very hard

Nah any T will chew through that stuff there are multiple reports of it on here. Just take the part out that has the mesh and measure it and get a piece of acrylic or perspex something you can drill holes in for ventilation and just replace it. There are people who make custom acrylic tops for these a search on here or arachnoboards there will be someone selling them

 

[tomervayn]

I wi

Nah any T will chew through that stuff there are multiple reports of it on here. Just take the part out that has the mesh and measure it and get a piece of acrylic or perspex something you can drill holes in for ventilation and just replace it. There are people who make custom acrylic tops for these a search on here or arachnoboards there will be someone selling them

i will do that!! Thank you very much for your suggestion and care of my T! Appreciate it very much

 

[AndrewClayton]

I wi

i will do that!! Thank you very much for your suggestion and care of my T! Appreciate it very much

No worries we're all here to help