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- 2,565
- Location
- Baltimore MD
I rushed home after work and began the rehouse immediately. I only stopped to remove my uniform.
Because she digs more then any of my others, I made one change that I had previously planned. I added about 25 to 30 percent of repti-sand to my usual Eco Earth substrate.
I set up a catch cup with a lid I tried to modify for my spare terrestrial enclosure by adding larger vent holes at each corner. I created a new catch cup with a soldering iron with multiple holes. I put some string through 2 of the holes in the cup and another taped to the lid. I was anticipating teleporting, the usual blur of speed as normal.
The first thing I did was to wash everything again, set it up, begin the temperature set up etc etc. While rehousing I was doing the test.
I decided to try the flooding technique because I could use a syringe to inject water while not permitting any chance of escape. I removed the screen and placed the catch cup over the opening. I had a clear plastic welding shield that I previously used to block off the screen in the same enclosure.
Of course, the tarantula exited the burrow, turned right back around and went back inside. I knew the flood technique could cause this problem. As I continued to add water, it became obvious that the tarantula wouldn't leave. While waiting, I was walking in and out of the bathroom monitoring the temperature tests doing it at the same time.
Eventually I decided to carefully dig the tarantula our, which took over a half hour using a plastic spoon and a paint brush and tongs.
Eventually a water logged tarantula popped up and was acting very fatigued and sluggish. I was able to scoop her up and got the plastic shield in place. I allowed the excess water to drain and carefully put the lid on firmly.
The tarantula was moving around slowly under its own power walking in circles. Previously I had threaded string through the vent holes so I could close the top of the new enclosure 1/16th of an inch. I loosened the lid so it wasn't off but wasn't attached. I carefully slowly pulled the strings apart and things went smoothly. I noticed that the tarantula was laying on its side and then she slowly climbed up the floor and positioned herself with the abdomen facing down vertically.
The slowness struck me as odd. She was far less animated then my Lasiodora when I rehoused her but figured that it was probably due to being soaked.
I put the cage in its final location and hooked up everything but DIDN'T turn on the heat system. It passed the test, actually slightly colder but since I was going to get the catch cup out later, I didn't turn it on. I didn't want to encourage speed and figured I'd just wait for a web, getting settled in etc.
About 30 minutes ago, I noticed she moved but looked almost upside down. I took everything back into the bathroom and removed the catch cup and lid.
At this time I noticed that she was totally unresponsive. I carefully moved her by the water dish and turned her over on the back.
She is still in the same position.
Of course, when water evaporates, it tends to cool stuff off.
My question is should I just wait for her to wake up or try adding heat to revive her? I feel very pessimistic about this.
Of course, I cleaned everything first and basically tried to replicate what I did before, except for flooding. I've used that syringe to give them water before but noticed that it annoys all my other spiders and switched to a dropper.
At what point should I conclude that a fatality had occurred?
There is one other detail. I can't see the spinnerets at the back of the abdomen. I don't want to get to close and get bitten!!
I've never seen her move that slowly before.
I want to get to the bottom of this. Ego doesn't matter.
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