Newbie Rehabbing a Wild T

[Crystal the Pet Nanny]

I found a Wild T last night in a Death Curl, but its legs were still flexible. I moved it to a less vulnerable location (I found it on my client's front walk) and put splashed a little water next to it and left it overnight, hoping it would revive, but expecting it would die. Its legs were still flexible this morning so I assume it was still alive and I decided to try to rehab it. It is now in ICU on damp paper towel with access to shallow water source in a critter keeper in my dark closet. I live in Phoenix, so it is a desert dweller, but I don't know what kind. I have a photo I took when I first found it in the death curl (I straightened out it's legs when I moved it onto the paper towel).

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Therasoid]

Its looks like Aphonopelma clarki. Judging by the legs in the photo, a mature male at that. If this is the case, its on borrowed time. [emoji20]

 

[Crystal the Pet Nanny]

I assumed it might be like that from dehydration, but didn't even consider it might be just dying of old age. How will I know if it is dead? Now that I uncurled the legs will they curl back up? It may already be dead. As far as I can tell, it didn't move all day, even to drink the water I've given it. In fact, there doesn't seem to have been any movement from the T itself ever since I found it.

 

[Crystal the Pet Nanny]

 

[Crystal the Pet Nanny]

The paper towel is very moist. I don't want to stress it out by bothering it too much, so I've been leaving it alone most of the time in my dark closet. But I would like to know if it is dead or alive. I'm already emotionally invested in this, but I don't want to keep getting more invested if it's already dead. I have such a soft heart for all living things.

 

[Therasoid]

The paper towel is very moist. I don't want to stress it out by bothering it too much, so I've been leaving it alone most of the time in my dark closet. But I would like to know if it is dead or alive. I'm already emotionally invested in this, but I don't want to keep getting more invested if it's already dead. I have such a soft heart for all living things.

You're doing all that can be done at this point in time. If you have an artist paint brush, "gently" stroke the hair on one of the front legs for a response.

 

[Crystal the Pet Nanny]

You're doing all that can be done at this point in time. If you have an artist paint brush, "gently" stroke the hair on one of the front legs for a response.

Okay. I tried that and the leg moved a little, but it didn't seem to be a response to the sensation of being stroked. It seemed more like the brush was moving the leg. I think I was being very gentle, but the legs are really light and pliable.

From the more recent photo I posted do you still think it's probably a mature male?

 

[Therasoid]

From the photo it appears to have a tibial hook. It might be dirt, idk, but if the opposing leg has the same hook on it. Yes, it would be a mature male. [emoji20]

 

[Crystal the Pet Nanny]

Okay. Thanks. I'll look for that when I get home.