Death curl??

[aimeelevitre]

I woke up this morning to my tarantula is this strange position. Her eating slowed down, movements were slow and coloring darkened. So I thought it was premoult. However, upon doing some research, I’m worried that she is death curling and not actually mounting. Can someone please help? She is upright, two of her legs are curled under while the others are in odd positions.

 

[aimeelevitre]

This is what her position looks like.

 

[fuzzylover]

The times I have seen my tarantulas in this position they have been cleaning themselves. If they keep doing this check to see if their fangs are moving around one of their legs.

 

[aimeelevitre]

She wasn’t moving at all, even after 30 minutes she was in the same position. That’s why I’m worried, so I made this account and post. I’m at work so I won’t know if she’s still in the same position or not until I get home. /:

 

[aimeelevitre]

I’ve seen her clean her mouth and fangs before, and that was not it. She usually stands up tall when cleaning herself.

 

[Teresaisrad]

Is it possible that the spood is a male? Seems leggy to me.

 

[aimeelevitre]

Could be? It was my dad’s spider, he always called it a female. I know very little about tarantulas other than what I’ve read recently about moulting.

 

[Teresaisrad]

Could be? It was my dad’s spider, he always called it a female. I know very little about tarantulas other than what I’ve read recently about moulting.

I would look to see if you see any tibial hooks, they will look like tiny hooks under the front two legs .

 

[Teresaisrad]

Males unfortunatley dont live as long and aften curl under like this not long after maturity. It could explain some of what is happening

 

[aimeelevitre]

Thanks for the info! I’ll update when I get home from work! I unfortunately don’t know how old the spider is so I’m unsure if its reached the end of its life or not.

 

[aimeelevitre]

I think it died.. it’s still sitting in the same position as the photos I shared earlier.. is there proper or improper ways to dispose of it? Should I wait longer to be sure?

 

[aimeelevitre]

Also. Is there a way to tell how a spider is or was?

 

[aimeelevitre]

Any recommendations on where to get a new spider? I was just starting to grow fond of it, even though spiders still creep me out. Lol

 

[aimeelevitre]

Also. Is there a way to tell how a spider is or was?

How old a spider is/was

 

[aimeelevitre]

I also just noticed that the cage smells kind of like feet. Is that normal? What could it be?

 

[GarField000]

Just poke it with a brush to see if it reacts.
It's not a normal deathcurl but it could have died anyways.

The smell could be some old food as well.

 

[Teresaisrad]

Yes, what GarField said, Try stroking it with a brush if you're too scared to handle him.
As for the body (if they passed) You can bury if you'd like but I like to Taxidermy mine to hang on my oddity wall, or in a cloche and they can be with me forever.

Another side note, I would say to try again as soon as your feel ready. If keeping sparks joy for you I would encourage getting a couple of slings (especially with Black Friday deals right now)
Keep raising some T's and engage in this group. We are always happy to support others.