Rose Haired Lost Leg

[LiguoriL]

My male rose haired tarantula was a gift given to me for my kindergarten class. He is one of our class pets. I have never owned a tarantula before. He is in a 10 gal glass tank with 5 inches high of pet store bought dirt at the bottom and a half log to hide under that he never goes in. He always sits on top of it. I have never seen him molt or eat ever. I put in 4 crickets a week and always have a small bowl of water. I assume he only eats at night because the crickets always disappear. Recently he must have fell in his cage. He is missing one back leg and the other back leg looks broken. He also can't use it. It just kind of drags along. I don't see anything oozing out from the leg, just the hairs are falling off. Also the bottom half of his abdomen is losing hair. Any advice is appreciated. Not sure where I am going wrong. Help!

 

[LiguoriL]

 

[LiguoriL]

 

[Nada]

welcome aboard.
Looks like you have a mature male. Unfortunately Males don't live long after their maturing moult.
The only thing your doing "wrong" is feeding him too much. 1 cricket a week is more than enough.
the missing leg isn't a problem, and the "broken leg" shouldn't matter, if he had another moult in him he'd remove it and start to re-generate it. Unfortunately, his days may be numbered.

 

[harleyqueen]

Oh that's really sad, hope you get another one, he looks really sweet

 

[Kurt Nelson]

I wish I could regenerate missing legs.

 

[LiguoriL]

Well I'm glad to hear I'm just over feeding him. I over feed all of my pets so I'm not surprised to hear that, but I will put in less crickets for him. I hope he has at least another year in him. He has really grown on me. Thanks for the comments!

-Lisa

 

[Atx13]

Well I'm glad to hear I'm just over feeding him. I over feed all of my pets so I'm not surprised to hear that, but I will put in less crickets for him. I hope he has at least another year in him. He has really grown on me. Thanks for the comments!

-Lisa

you should look into another one , maybe not a rose hair(some of them are psycho). but another tarantula for sure! Welcome to the boards, and thanks for sharing pics of your handsome little guy.

 

[DalilahBlue]

Pretty much any one in the Brachypelma genus would work well, and many have wonderful markings. They are mostly, with a few exceptions, desert species and darn near idiot proof in their care. They are also easy to come by, with many of the hobby's most popular species belonging to Brachypelma.

 

[Bast]

I know I read quite a bit about Avics (Avicularia) being hard to care for, as beginner T's, but so far I'm not finding that at all. Our A.avicularia is our first and only T, so I'm obviously biased, but she's a stunner and very, very laid back. I would say as long as you don't mind getting the right enclosure and can remember to overflow a water dish once a day, an Avic is a wonderful next choice. Like Daliah said, Brachy's are beautiful too...I have a couple of those on my 'want' list as well.

 

[Nada]

I know I read quite a bit about Avics (Avicularia) being hard to care for, as beginner T's, but so far I'm not finding that at all. Our A.avicularia is our first and only T, so I'm obviously biased, but she's a stunner and very, very laid back. I would say as long as you don't mind getting the right enclosure and can remember to overflow a water dish once a day, an Avic is a wonderful next choice. Like Daliah said, Brachy's are beautiful too...I have a couple of those on my 'want' list as well.

Avics as slings, can be challenging for even the most experience keeper. Juvies, and adults are cake though.

 

[Bast]

Avics as slings, can be challenging for even the most experience keeper. Juvies, and adults are cake though.

I really want to try my hand at a few Avic slings!

 

[LiguoriL]

Pretty much any one in the Brachypelma genus would work well, and many have wonderful markings. They are mostly, with a few exceptions, desert species and darn near idiot proof in their care. They are also easy to come by, with many of the hobby's most popular species belonging to Brachypelma.

That's what I need, idiot proof. haha I have always had lots of pets but never a tarantula. Currently I have a monster bullfrog, tree frogs, toads and two cats who are all living happy lives and are easy to care for. My cat loves to watch the tarantula when I bring him home. He seems to be getting around fine though with his 6 good legs and one gimpy one.

 

[DalilahBlue]

They are wonderfully fascinating creatures. I see them do something new every week, and I am always learning from them.

 

[Bast]

That's what I need, idiot proof. haha I have always had lots of pets but never a tarantula. Currently I have a monster bullfrog, tree frogs, toads and two cats who are all living happy lives and are easy to care for. My cat loves to watch the tarantula when I bring him home. He seems to be getting around fine though with his 6 good legs and one gimpy one.

Glad to hear he's still doing ok despite the leg issues! His coloration is pretty!

 

[LiguoriL]

Yea he seems to be fine. I feel bad though because the one leg that is still attached but doesn't work keeps rubbing against his abdomen. I think that is why he lost all his hair in that spot. Is there anyway to get rid of that leg? I feel like he would be happier with 6 working legs.

 

[Nada]

Yea he seems to be fine. I feel bad though because the one leg that is still attached but doesn't work keeps rubbing against his abdomen. I think that is why he lost all his hair in that spot. Is there anyway to get rid of that leg? I feel like he would be happier with 6 working legs.

\No, if he wants it done, he'll do it himself.

 

[LiguoriL]

Yea, you're right. It probably bothers me more than him. haha