BugPrince
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2015
- Messages
- 17
I'm a little curious about some behavior a couple of my spiders have been exhibiting. Months ago I was taking care of a Brachypelma smithi for a friend, and it's since been gifted to me, so I've had him for maybe four months. The previous owner CLAIMED he was at least 11 years old (I understand he's probably not actually male if he hasn't hooked out at 11, but I've stuck to "he" because I haven't properly sexed him and I don't think the spider really cares.) I've affectionately begun calling him the "floppy grandpa" because of some behavior he exhibited that I attributed to him being very old. See, he doesn't quite move right; not immediately responsive to touch anywhere on his body, seems to have a little difficulty carrying himself around--if he's on a slightly inclined surface and is going downward, he will sometimes just slide down and and land on his little face. His legs just seem a little wobbly and like he isn't quite able to catch himself properly if he falls in any direction, he will land on slightly curled legs instead of extending them to catch himself.
Now, like I said, he's exhibited this behavior since he was given to me and I thought "well, most things don't quite work right when they get very old. Maybe he is just "floppy" because he is very old!!" He still eats, and I find him in different areas of his cage so he moves around okay. No sign of any impending death curl in the months I've had him. I decided it was nothing to worry about.
Recently, though--in the last two months or so--my Aphonopelma schmidti started exhibiting very similar behavior. I bought her as an adult so I have no idea how old she is, but I doubt I somehow ended up with another spider as allegedly old as the Brachypelma smithi, and this behavior started rather suddenly. Once again, she eats when she wants, she drinks water, I find her in different areas... She seems to be altogether HEALTHY, (she even moulted a few days ago!) but her movements have just become... Floppy? Trouble catching herself, her reaction to touch is never immediate, has problems with uneven surfaces.
Does anyone know if this behavior is something to worry about? I haven't noticed anything obviously strange--no creatures or worms, no trouble eating, no other signs of a more common problem. Is there some sort of "Tarantula Neurological Disease" I don't know about, or will they just be "floppy but otherwise healthy" forever?
Now, like I said, he's exhibited this behavior since he was given to me and I thought "well, most things don't quite work right when they get very old. Maybe he is just "floppy" because he is very old!!" He still eats, and I find him in different areas of his cage so he moves around okay. No sign of any impending death curl in the months I've had him. I decided it was nothing to worry about.
Recently, though--in the last two months or so--my Aphonopelma schmidti started exhibiting very similar behavior. I bought her as an adult so I have no idea how old she is, but I doubt I somehow ended up with another spider as allegedly old as the Brachypelma smithi, and this behavior started rather suddenly. Once again, she eats when she wants, she drinks water, I find her in different areas... She seems to be altogether HEALTHY, (she even moulted a few days ago!) but her movements have just become... Floppy? Trouble catching herself, her reaction to touch is never immediate, has problems with uneven surfaces.
Does anyone know if this behavior is something to worry about? I haven't noticed anything obviously strange--no creatures or worms, no trouble eating, no other signs of a more common problem. Is there some sort of "Tarantula Neurological Disease" I don't know about, or will they just be "floppy but otherwise healthy" forever?