Old Male Missing Pedipalp

[Hagraven]

Just this morning I noticed springtails crawling ON my old male Chilobrachys Huahini, "Dinin."

Took me a minute but to my grief I observed the springtails must be seeking moisture, ect from a wound- one of Dinin's pedipalps lay at his feet! I have no idea how this has happened. He is very, very old, but I have not known limbs to be lost as such, in old age, because of old age?

Is this normal for old spiders? Old males?

And any chance of helping him heal the wound? Is it necessary? As you can imagine, he is very skittish and likely would not be comfortable with my applying cornstarch, ect.

As always, just want these guys to be comfortable. As far as husbandry, I keep his sub moist, always offer water. He has a hide. He ate a small dubia recently. Lots of springtails in his enclosure. He was not happy with me taking pictures, but hopefully they will shed some light on this. I really appreciate your time and experience and help!

 

[Hagraven]

*Update,
Before leaving for work, with my partner's encouragement, I was able to apply a small amount of cornstarch to the wound, just in case. Thanks again for your help

 

[Hagraven]

*Update,
After watching handfuls of springtails crawling over his wound and under his carapace, I decided to move Dinin to a much smaller, less busy, enclosure for a day or two. I had read a smaller enclosure might help one's animal not additionally hurt themselves with unnecessary movement, considering the injury. Yet I also read how moving your animal, "overcaring" for your animal, might be just as hurtful. I just don't know how he might have lost his pedipalp- perhaps if I found him (and the palp) beside a vent, maybe it got stuck, but I am not seeing anything quite like that- far more unknown.
For now I will let Dinin be, and hope for the best. If any have similar experiences, let me know! Thank you, all the best

*the white on Dinin is cornstarch

 

[Lawrence b]

Hope he pulls through for you , I have not experience in whats happened . But would be interested to know the outcome .

 

[Hagraven]

Hope he pulls through for you , I have not experience in whats happened . But would be interested to know the outcome .

Thank you friend. I will keep an eye on him and write again. All the best

 

[PanzoN88]

I can’t really comment on your situation, but I have had a male Harpactira dictator with one pedipalp. He didn’t seem to have any issues. I even paired him as well.

 

[Hagraven]

I can’t really comment on your situation, but I have had a male Harpactira dictator with one pedipalp. He didn’t seem to have any issues. I even paired him as well.

Non-human animals are amazing. The strength they reguarly display is inspiring. My old man so far appears healthy, and I've no doubt he will carry on. Hope all this is nothing more than a very scary accident!

 

[Hagraven]

Update,

After keeping Dinin in a smaller enclosure, and with no springtails, for 2 or 3 days, I moved him back home today. Within the hour he abandoned his "legs-up" posture of worry, and to my delight seemed much more comfortable, cleaning himself and walking about. To my frustration however, springtails were drawn to his wound. After cornstarch and 2 or 3 days, the wound remains appealing to them. Dinin is not reacting as if he is worried about it, but I sure am. Much as it would upset him, I am considering moving him again to be rid of the springtails.

Anyone have any information on springtails opening or agrivating partially closed wounds? You'll see a few moving over him in the attached video.

Appreciate you guys

 

[Lawrence b]

I think if does not looked stressed back in is old enclosure . then maybe the springtails are not bothering him . The last thing you want is to stress the old guy out , but that's only my opinion .

 

[Hagraven]

I think if does not looked stressed back in is old enclosure . then maybe the springtails are not bothering him . The last thing you want is to stress the old guy out , but that's only my opinion .

I appreciate it. After some thought I'm planing to let him be for a few days and see how he is at that time

 

[Hagraven]

Conclusion,
I remain unsure how Dinin lost his pedipalp, though as far as I can tell the wound has healed. He ate as of last night and appears to be doing well.

 

[Lawrence b]

That's a good result for keeper and tarantula .

 

[Hagraven]

Yes!

 

[lotusbugg]

Came on here for some insight because my old Brazilian redhead lost a padipelp. He’s doing okay and was able to eat a cricket and im not able to see a wound because he’s very skittish. He seems to be willing enough to be active and walk around but he’s OLD and I don’t know if this will hinder him. Hope yours is doing well

 

[m0lsx]

Came on here for some insight because my old Brazilian redhead lost a padipelp.

Sadly it is not uncommon, as the way the pedipalp expands into the boxing gloves at final molt, makes them prone to not molting correctly, or presumably even having old skin tightening & thus restricting circulation.

 

[lotusbugg]

Sadly it is not uncommon, as the way the pedipalp expands into the boxing gloves at final molt, makes them prone to not molting correctly, or presumably even having old skin tightening & thus restricting circulation.

I recently got him back in November and was told he has about 6ish months to live and wanted to give him a comfortable ended. He hasn’t molted since I got him, which I expected. So my question is will he die with just one pedipalp? Does he even have the abilities to molt again and still have a few months to live?

Right now all of my other tarantulas and small month old babies so I’ve never experienced this before

 

[m0lsx]

I recently got him back in November and was told he has about 6ish months to live and wanted to give him a comfortable ended. He hasn’t molted since I got him, which I expected. So my question is will he die with just one pedipalp? Does he even have the abilities to molt again and still have a few months to live?

Right now all of my other tarantulas and small month old babies so I’ve never experienced this before

Will he die with just one pedipalp? Probably yes. But that will not effect his quality of life. Especially if you are not intending to breed with him.

Yes, he has the ability to molt again & survive it. But in general a male who molts following a maturing molt. Does not have a good one. That is, it stands a fairly good chance of resulting in death. But some mature males can have successful molts.

 

[AndrewClayton]

Especially if you are not intending to breed with him.

I would hope they aren't, this made me laugh lol

 

[lotusbugg]

Will he die with just one pedipalp? Probably yes. But that will not effect his quality of life. Especially if you are not intending to breed with him.

Yes, he has the ability to molt again & survive it. But in general a male who molts following a maturing molt. Does not have a good one. That is, it stands a fairly good chance of resulting in death. But some mature males can have successful molts.t

Will he die with just one pedipalp? Probably yes. But that will not effect his quality of life. Especially if you are not intending to breed with him.

Yes, he has the ability to molt again & survive it. But in general a male who molts following a maturing molt. Does not have a good one. That is, it stands a fairly good chance of resulting in death. But some mature males can have successful molts.

I would hope they aren't, this made me laugh lol

Lol I am not, the store I got him from were the last ones to try and mate him, then he hooked and they just gave him to me because they didn’t know his lifespan. He’s been very active and is a great eater since I’ve taken him in. He’s actually my first T.

 

[AndrewClayton]

Lol I am not, the store I got him from were the last ones to try and mate him, then he hooked and they just gave him to me because they didn’t know his lifespan. He’s been very active and is a great eater since I’ve taken him in. He’s actually my first T.

Lol you didn't get it. They way that statement reads in English is you a Human are going to be mating with the Tarantula.
Also thats why they couldn't mate him if the gave him to you after he matured.