Does anyone know what this is?

[Haro86]

My T of almost 2 years has always looked healthy but this has developed over the past couple of days. I’ve seen it scratching the abdomen with the rear legs and the rash seems to be getting bigger. Does anyone know what it is and how can I take care of it?

 

[Johnnyblacksails]

Is the whitish stuff around the bare spot web? If not looks like maybe some kind of fungus maybe. But I haven’t seen it before so could be nothing. Could you post pics of your enclosure and tell us about your general care? That could help narrow down issues. Hopefully someone with more experience with T health issues chimes in.

 

[Johnnyblacksails]

My T of almost 2 years has always looked healthy but this has developed over the past couple of days. I’ve seen it scratching the abdomen with the rear legs and the rash seems to be getting bigger. Does anyone know what it is and how can I take care of it?

It looks like the same stuff from around the bare spot is on the cork bark right next to it. Is that stuff all over the enclosure?

 

[MBullock]

Is it an actual rash or simply bare patch? bare patches are normal, often indicator of stress. they have a loose patch of defensive hairs they rub off in the hope that whatever predator bothering them take a big ole sniff and inhales them and spends the next 30 minutes rubbing its nose in the dirt

 

[Johnnyblacksails]

Is it an actual rash or simply bare patch? bare patches are normal, often indicator of stress. they have a loose patch of defensive hairs they rub off in the hope that whatever predator bothering them take a big ole sniff and inhales them and spends the next 30 minutes rubbing its nose in the dirt

That’s what I was thinking but the stuff around the bald spot gave me some pause. Otherwise it could be hairing a web mat or something to prepare for a molt.

 

[Casey K.]

It is urticating hair. No need to be alarmed. Usually tarantulas rub them off during premolt for a softer place to lay while molting or they do it when they are disturbed by something as a defense mechanism. The bald spot is there because of this.

 

[Haro86]

Is the whitish stuff around the bare spot web? If not looks like maybe some kind of fungus maybe. But I haven’t seen it before so could be nothing. Could you post pics of your enclosure and tell us about your general care? That could help narrow down issues. Hopefully someone with more experience with T health issues chimes in.

 

[Haro86]

Feed it crickets once a week. Change water every 2 days, clean out enclosure every month or so and avoid handling it to not cause it stress.

 

[Tarantulafeets]

The enclosure looks like it is a bit small, as well as it being really tall... you should fill up the enclosure up to halfway or more with substrate.

 

[Nurse Ratchet]

Is the hide pine? I know tarantulas do not do well with pine and cedar. Could the combo of the small amount of floor space, shallow substrate, and large pine contribute to stress hence the hair kicking? Idk. Just a hypothesis.

 

[Oursapoil]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Poppy2020]

That enclosure is not the right kind for the tarantula you have. It’s for a aboreal( tree dweller) not a terrestrial, which is what your T is. Your spider needs a lot more floor space! And more substrate! I imagine s/he may be rather stressed and that’s why it’s kicking lots of hairs?

 

[Haro86]

It is urticating hair. No need to be alarmed. Usually tarantulas rub them off during premolt for a softer place to lay while molting or they do it when they are disturbed by something as a defense mechanism. The bald spot is there because of this.

We’ll see because it’s already gone through 4 molts and that’s never happened before.

 

[Haro86]

Is the hide pine? I know tarantulas do not do well with pine and cedar. Could the combo of the small amount of floor space, shallow substrate, and large pine contribute to stress hence the hair kicking? Idk. Just a hypothesis.

Definitely not pine, I make sure that what I put in there is suitable for T. I’ve always used the same type and never had a problem. It’s been almost 2 years I’ve had it and all the sudden this is going on

 

[Oursapoil]

Definitely not pine, I make sure that what I put in there is suitable for T. I’ve always used the same type and never had a problem. It’s been almost 2 years I’ve had it and all the sudden this is going on

Hi Haro86,
I think your T is well overdue for an enclosure upgrade. As rightfully stated by other forum members, this is not the right size or shape for the T you currently have. More substrate is definitely needed. Although my experience with Ts is far greater than my knowledge of trees, the hide in the enclosure most definitely looks like it is pine (please let us know what tree it came from as you researched it before using it). At the exception of cork bark, it is safer to stay away from wood all together, especially as it is not really needed for terrestrial Ts.
I would not worry about the bold patch, your T is just kicking her abdomen setae (it could be for several reasons but I do not see any rash or parasites there). Once again, welcome to the forum.

 

[ILoveMyT]

Could be from the web or something else fluffy that got in there. If you want you can lightly brush it off with a paint brush but look like it was coating its home in some hair which is normal to put off predators

 

[New2T’s]

My T of almost 2 years has always looked healthy but this has developed over the past couple of days. I’ve seen it scratching the abdomen with the rear legs and the rash seems to be getting bigger. Does anyone know what it is and how can I take care of it?

Your T is absolutely fine. It’s either stressed, premolt, or just kicking hairs around the enclosure. Sometimes their skin is dry and flaky.