mommabearbrown3
New Member
- Messages
- 12
- Location
- Aloha, Oregon
Hello all, I'm new to this site, my name is Jess. I've had a few tarantula's in my life but I'm not part of any community online bc I don't have social media. ANYWAYS!!! Back story, I have an 18 year old rose hair, she was free on craigslist years ago, got her when she was about 11 years, that's what they said. She's molted twice since I've had her. First time was a breeze for her. Perfect molt, no issues. Fast forward to last week.
About 6 days ago I noticed she was a little wobbly, not eating, not drinking, figured it's molt time. I was correct. I kept checking on her and she was just chilling, go check again and she's molting. However, she molted upright. No biggy from my research, again, however. Her position was so wonky. Two of her legs on her left side was straight up and down up against her tank, and at this point I was very scared to flip her bc she was already starting to pop off her shell. (that's what I call it, I'm sure there is the right way to call it.)
She did alright coming out of the right side, but two legs were stuck stuck on her left side, to two legs straight up against the glass. I left her be thinking okay, she got this. She's a tough old gal. I started to panic internally but started doing research so I decided to intervene to help her out as carefully as possible. I really wish I did sooner, but I have never had a T molt upright, let alone in a wonky position.
My husband stood by as I gently got her to move from the glass so she can free her two legs. She did. Another problem I noticed that half her molt was still very much stuck to her. I left her be due to the fact that she just had a tough molt, already intervened with her leg and I didn't want to cause anymore stress than she has already gone through.
Fast forward to the next day, the molt started coming off on it's own but I was afraid if it stayed on that it would eventually catch as it was dragging and feared a cut or ruptured abdomen. I intervened, she was pretty chill. I raised the humidity a bit to help loosen it up. It worked.
OKAY!!! Sorry for the novel, just had to cover most of the important bases. She's now still struggling but is pretty determined. She is having a hard time walking. She moves sideways like a crab now bc she figured that's the easiest way to move about. But, still struggling. She trips over her now deformed leg, I'll post the pics I got. She's refusing water. Won't even touch it, and when she does touch it she scurries the quickest she can away from it, sideways and usually trips and flips.
My grumpy old gal isn't the same after this molt. She's terrified of everything compared to before you even give her water she's on you like stink on poo, fangs out, super territorial. Normal behavior for her. Now though she's completely different. It sounds stupid but it's honestly breaking my heart seeing her try so hard but struggle so badly. I don't know what to do.
She loves to climb so I lowered her sticks so it'd be easier for her, it has been. But I've also noticed that she's not laying down any web. She likes a nice thick carpet to chill on or a log, never been a hideout type of gal. Her little spinner also looks out of place. lays flat always and it crosses the other. Another discovery, one of her book lungs still has some old molt attached and I'm afraid that it's blocked. I don't know what to do. Has anyone's T ever had such a difficult molt? Again, I really do apologize about the novel, I just need some advice on what I need to do. I feel terrible for her. Kicking myself in the butt for not flipping her, was too scared bc she was already in the process. Any help would greatly be appreciated. More than you know. I love my old gal, she's family. I'll post pics of the process and after. Thank you for your time.
About 6 days ago I noticed she was a little wobbly, not eating, not drinking, figured it's molt time. I was correct. I kept checking on her and she was just chilling, go check again and she's molting. However, she molted upright. No biggy from my research, again, however. Her position was so wonky. Two of her legs on her left side was straight up and down up against her tank, and at this point I was very scared to flip her bc she was already starting to pop off her shell. (that's what I call it, I'm sure there is the right way to call it.)
She did alright coming out of the right side, but two legs were stuck stuck on her left side, to two legs straight up against the glass. I left her be thinking okay, she got this. She's a tough old gal. I started to panic internally but started doing research so I decided to intervene to help her out as carefully as possible. I really wish I did sooner, but I have never had a T molt upright, let alone in a wonky position.
My husband stood by as I gently got her to move from the glass so she can free her two legs. She did. Another problem I noticed that half her molt was still very much stuck to her. I left her be due to the fact that she just had a tough molt, already intervened with her leg and I didn't want to cause anymore stress than she has already gone through.
Fast forward to the next day, the molt started coming off on it's own but I was afraid if it stayed on that it would eventually catch as it was dragging and feared a cut or ruptured abdomen. I intervened, she was pretty chill. I raised the humidity a bit to help loosen it up. It worked.
OKAY!!! Sorry for the novel, just had to cover most of the important bases. She's now still struggling but is pretty determined. She is having a hard time walking. She moves sideways like a crab now bc she figured that's the easiest way to move about. But, still struggling. She trips over her now deformed leg, I'll post the pics I got. She's refusing water. Won't even touch it, and when she does touch it she scurries the quickest she can away from it, sideways and usually trips and flips.
My grumpy old gal isn't the same after this molt. She's terrified of everything compared to before you even give her water she's on you like stink on poo, fangs out, super territorial. Normal behavior for her. Now though she's completely different. It sounds stupid but it's honestly breaking my heart seeing her try so hard but struggle so badly. I don't know what to do.
She loves to climb so I lowered her sticks so it'd be easier for her, it has been. But I've also noticed that she's not laying down any web. She likes a nice thick carpet to chill on or a log, never been a hideout type of gal. Her little spinner also looks out of place. lays flat always and it crosses the other. Another discovery, one of her book lungs still has some old molt attached and I'm afraid that it's blocked. I don't know what to do. Has anyone's T ever had such a difficult molt? Again, I really do apologize about the novel, I just need some advice on what I need to do. I feel terrible for her. Kicking myself in the butt for not flipping her, was too scared bc she was already in the process. Any help would greatly be appreciated. More than you know. I love my old gal, she's family. I'll post pics of the process and after. Thank you for your time.
