Sick t.apophysis. Any advice?

[x_raphael_xx]

Just come home to find Ungoliant curled in the corner out in the open. She’s been sat there a couple of days.

Normally any movement and she shoots into her burrow but I managed to move the enclosure and open the lid to spray some water underneath her without her moving.

Room is usually around 20deg, but been very cold today and it’s currently 18.5deg.
Could she just be cold??
Apart from the lethargy and curled legs she looks in great condition.

 

[SullivanC]

Is she eating and drinking well? her abdomen looks pretty well though

 

[x_raphael_xx]

Is she eating and drinking well? her abdomen looks pretty well though

Yeah she normally eats very well, I've never seen her drink, but always keep the water dish topped up and the substrate on the damper side (I've heard goliaths prefer damp instead of dry) while not being over saturated.
I've just tried dropping a wax worm infront of her, it wiggled right under her fangs and she barely twitched. I even managed to pick up back up from between her legs (with tongs of course) without a reaction.
I'd assume she was in premolt if it wasn't for the curling up of her legs.

 

[SullivanC]

Yeah she normally eats very well, I've never seen her drink, but always keep the water dish topped up and the substrate on the damper side (I've heard goliaths prefer damp instead of dry) while not being over saturated.
I've just tried dropping a wax worm infront of her, it wiggled right under her fangs and she barely twitched. I even managed to pick up back up from between her legs (with tongs of course) without a reaction.
I'd assume she was in premolt if it wasn't for the curling up of her legs.

Yeah just like you sad she is either sick or very stressed.. spiders also never move when they are very stressed but I just hope she is not sick because most of the time they are sick they never make it just keep the substrate's bottom layer moist like theraphosa species require, keep 2 water dishes full at all times and just hope for the best

 

[x_raphael_xx]

I’ve placed a water dish directly under her fangs (her only reaction was to uncurl her legs)
She hasn’t started drinking, so I assume shes sick rather than dehydrated, which sucks as it means there is nothing more I can do but wait to see if she improves or passes.

 

[DustyD]

Please keep us informed. We are pulling for her!

 

[mrsoul1974]

Yes, best of luck. Hope she pulls through!

 

[Arachnoclown]

Theraphosa need high humidity with high ventilation along wirh warm temperatures. This is why the husbandry for these are difficult for most people. Add more ventilation and up the temps to at least (min) 75 degrees. I keep my ladies in the warmest part of my room with a fan that occasionally blows the air around their enclosures. Stagnant conditions will kill these spiders. Hopefully it's not too late.

 

[x_raphael_xx]

Theraphosa need high humidity with high ventilation along wirh warm temperatures. This is why the husbandry for these are difficult for most people. Add more ventilation and up the temps to at least (min) 75 degrees. I keep my ladies in the warmest part of my room with a fan that occasionally blows the air around their enclosures. Stagnant conditions will kill these spiders. Hopefully it's not too late.

The room is usually a steady 20-21deg with all the other animals. It’s only dipped the last couple of days, we even had a thin layer of snow settle last night.
I’ve got the heater on now as well.

Shes been happy up until now it came on as sudden as the cold snap, so hoping she’ll pull through.

Some of her legs are curled, some not quite straight but in a comfortable position.

 

[Arachnoclown]

The room is usually a steady 20-21deg with all the other animals. It’s only dipped the last couple of days, we even had a thin layer of snow settle last night.
I’ve got the heater on now as well.

Shes been happy up until now it came on as sudden as the cold snap, so hoping she’ll pull through.

Some of her legs are curled, some not quite straight but in a comfortable position.
View attachment 69628

Too cold my friend 75-80 degrees for proper development. This spider doesn't qualify with the average husbandry of most other tarantulas. It's special.

 

[x_raphael_xx]

Too cold my friend 75-80 degrees for proper development. This spider doesn't qualify with the average husbandry of most other tarantulas. It's special.

Noted, thank you.
I just hope its not too late for this one.

 

[x_raphael_xx]

Shes actually slowly made her way away from the heat mat to the entrance to her burrow. The most shes moved in a couple of days but her legs are still a little curled.

Do I move the heatmat to that side, so it’s warmer in her burrow? Or leave it where it is in case it was too warm for her and that’s why shes moved away??

Also…I assume you realise I’m reading temps in C not F! The room is up to 21.2 now, about 70.2 F.

 

[x_raphael_xx]

 

[DustyD]

Shes actually slowly made her way away from the heat mat to the entrance to her burrow. The most shes moved in a couple of days but her legs are still a little curled.

Do I move the heatmat to that side, so it’s warmer in her burrow? Or leave it where it is in case it was too warm for her and that’s why shes moved away??

Also…I assume you realise I’m reading temps in C not F! The room is up to 21.2 now, about 70.2 F.

But Arachnoclown is saying the temperature should be at least 24 Celsius up to 27 Celsius. That may be too warm for the humans but there are some ways you could localize the temps. How is the ventilation? Sounds like Arachnoclown supplements regular air flow.

 

[x_raphael_xx]

But Arachnoclown is saying the temperature should be at least 24 Celsius up to 27 Celsius. That may be too warm for the humans but there are some ways you could localize the temps. How is the ventilation? Sounds like Arachnoclown supplements regular air flow.

Yeah, just wanted to make sure he knew it's not 21F in here
I've swapped the lid for the other one with more holes. T-cribs give you 2 lids to choose from. I did have the one on with just holes around the edge as I thought this would keep humitidy up. I've swapped it for the all-holes now.

 

[x_raphael_xx]

 

[DustyD]

I have no experience with this species, I am just an anxious T parent sticking my nose and heart in where they probably don’t belong. So time will tell and maybe Arachnoclown can offer an opinion of the changes. I would think they are a positive step forward.

 

[x_raphael_xx]

I have no experience with this species, I am just an anxious T parent sticking my nose and heart in where they probably don’t belong. So time will tell and maybe Arachnoclown can offer an opinion of the changes. I would think they are a positive step forward.

I’m happy to take any advice!

 

[Arachnoclown]

Shes actually slowly made her way away from the heat mat to the entrance to her burrow. The most shes moved in a couple of days but her legs are still a little curled.

Do I move the heatmat to that side, so it’s warmer in her burrow? Or leave it where it is in case it was too warm for her and that’s why shes moved away??

Also…I assume you realise I’m reading temps in C not F! The room is up to 21.2 now, about 70.2 F.

Yes... you should be 24-26 degrees Celsius. I Wouldn't move the mat....shes going to go to her burrow to cool down. Remember she only has instincts not thought. Her instinct will tell her to go to her burrow to cool down. If that's not good enough she will dig down deeper.

 

[DustyD]

I have asked my tarantulas to cross some of their legs in support of you and your T.