Molting problem with a Mexican Red Rump

[ChampagneGold]

I own 11 tarantulas now, including her, and she molted within a week of purchase. I put her in an enclosure day 1 and woke up this morning to find her struggling to molt. Her legs on one side just didn't look right. I waited a couple hours to see some progress, but she hadn't changed, at all. I intervened and removed the majority of the molt. Half of her legs developed properly, but both pedipalps and one entire side of legs are mangled. They look like they just didn't form properly. Any advice would be appreciated. Please note, her legs looked terrible before I intervened. What should I do!?

Thank you for your advice!

 

[ChampagneGold]

before

 

[ChampagneGold]

She was perfectly fine before molting.

 

[AndrewClayton]

Yeah it doesn't look good, did it's mouth parts moult properly, if they did there is a chance it will make it. If the legs are hindering the T it will remove them and they will grow back with moults. Always keep a full water dish. Also try and use scientific names, I thought it was a Tliltocatl Vagans with the common name you wrote but they have a black carapace so can't advise you on care as I don't know what it is.

 

[AndrewClayton]

After some digging it's a Brachypelma Albiceps you have, common name mexican golden red rump but useless remembering them. The mexican Red rump is a Tliltocatl Vagans so two completely different T's

 

[AndrewClayton]

She was perfectly fine before molting.

So these T's prefer it a bit drier in there enclosure too, that substrate looks quite damp.

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

Firstly don't give up on your spood! As already stated her legs with time will be dropped and replaced with latter molts! My M. Balfori had a terrible molt! Lost two front legs and a pedipalp completely! One leg on the other side useless and actually a hindrance. If your girl is unable to hunt..pre mame/kill prey and offer! Keep water close. Two molts later and my M. Balfori is a whole spider killing machine again! They are amazing at recovering from this type of bad molt! Best of luck to both of you.

 

[ChampagneGold]

Sorry for the confusion with the name. It's my first time posting. Her mouth parts look fine, so I figure I'll just baby her for a while. I did recently add some moisture to the soil.

 

[AndrewClayton]

Sorry for the confusion with the name. It's my first time posting. Her mouth parts look fine, so I figure I'll just baby her for a while. I did recently add some moisture to the soil.

No problem it's just best getting used to the scientific names of everything you have and it saves any confusion. I would let the substrate dry out, only need to overflow the water dish a bit with these guys. Pre kill the prey items I can't imagine it's going to be able to pounce on a live cricket or anything in that state. If it refuses the pre killed prey you can make bug soup, personally I cut the head off mealworms and just squeeze there insides out but you can mash crickets and stuff, if you feel comfortable enough pinch grab it and hand feed It that way you can tell if it is eating, no worries if you're not comfortable enough to do that get a very small dish like a very shallow lid and put the bug soup on that and slid it under its mouth parts. It's just going to take time and care. Hope all goes well keep us updated and if you run into any further issues we're here to help.

 

[ChampagneGold]

Unfortunately, she didn't make it. I gave her water with a q-tip but found her unresponsive after a few days. I think she was just too broken with half of her body not functioning. The other 10 tarantulas are thriving. She's going back to Petco in a casket. It's my first dead T, so I'm pretty sad, but I don't think I had anything to do with her demise.

 

[ChampagneGold]

Not trying to defer blame though. If y'all think I could've done something different I'd appreciate the feedback.

 

[AndrewClayton]

Unfortunately, she didn't make it. I gave her water with a q-tip but found her unresponsive after a few days. I think she was just too broken with half of her body not functioning. The other 10 tarantulas are thriving. She's going back to Petco in a casket. It's my first dead T, so I'm pretty sad, but I don't think I had anything to do with her demise.

If she moulted within days of you getting her, no it's not you're fault, chances are the damage was already done, or done by selling you a T in pre moult. I personally have never had any success at getting a T to take water from a q tip I will just drip water directly on there mouth. I think the mistake has been in the species you have. If they sold that as mexican Red rump (Tliltocatl Vagans) they do prefer a bit of moisture in there enclosure, but it is a Mexican golden red rump (Brachypelma Albiceps) they prefer it on the drier side of things. So by mislabeling a T it puts you at a disadvantage, as you will be searching up the wrong care.