Need help, is a red joint a problem?

[alynch]

Hi, I’m new here and looking for some insight on my curlyhair. He molted about 2 weeks ago and has had a red joint on his carapace since, I’m wondering if it’s painful or worrisome and what I can do if it is. Thanks!

 

[alynch]

Hi, I’m new here and looking for some insight on my curlyhair. He molted about 2 weeks ago and has had a red joint on his carapace since, I’m wondering if it’s painful or worrisome and what I can do if it is. Thanks!

 

[Jess S]

As I'm using my phone, it is really hard to scroll and zoom in to pictures. Is the redness on the leg itself (the femur) or is it coming/bulging out of the joint (the trochanter)? Can you see any break in the joint? I'm afraid I can't tell from the pictures (stupid phone!).

The area that's red is where the femur meets the trochanter (the joint). The other side of the trochanter you have the coxa, which goes back into the body.

It looks like something got damaged in that area. The good news is that when spiders lose their legs (i.e. to escape a predator), it is the trochanter that disconnects from the coxa, and the new leg will then start to regrow in the coxa. It is possible that your tarantula may shed that leg. If it doesn't, there is a possibility that it could cause problems on the next moult. But if it's using the leg ok then I wouldn't worry too much. Your T knows best about whether it needs to lose that leg or not.

One thing I should mention, is you may want to have cornstarch and a clean paintbrush handy. Should your T start bleeding from that area, you can paint on the cornstarch to staunch the flow. They don't normally bleed heavily from the legs though, but it's always best to play it safe.

 

[Arachnoclown]

I don't see anything on the carapace. I see a slightly dislocated joint. Nothing I would worry about. If its bothering the spider it will remove it itself. I highly doubt that will happen though.