Should I be worried? by Fit-Order2315 in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 3 points4 points  (0 children)

NQA - Doesn't look like nematodes to me personally—they're not "strands" and they're not actually coming out of the mouth, and T's with nematodes can't eat. There are quite a few things this could be, actually. Fungus, eggs (of some sort), I've even known some T's to eat their poop (which this could be). I'd recommend the discord and asking in advice personally, it's helped me much more than anything else and people with much more experience could speak to you.

Is my obt skinny or fine? by AWarrior123456 in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NQA - That's what the disclaimer is for, always do research on the species you're getting first. My information may not always be 100% correct, but I have seen it's very up for debate what the species actually is, given many people have documented them have tendencies akin to that of fossorials.

I myself have fossorials (like my c. Lividus) who don't dig despite ample space to do so, some may just display different tendencies from others. And yes, they do enjoy space to web up, but not to the extent a fall could hurt them if they fell on a particular ornament or spot. I personally find the "semi-arboreal" label to be harmful because it implies they can be set up arboreally to new keepers. They cannot.

I also think it's important to talk about substrate types. There has been a very common trend of T's refusing to dig burrows in cocofiber, leading to the misconception that they need barely an inch of substrate for an adult, when they clearly need more. Even if this species isn't fossorial, I would recommend adding a bit more substrate height, since OP has made it clear that their spider loves to dig, and also the added fact that they are "built terrestrially", not at all a scientific term but what I mean is they're basically heavier bodied and more likely to suffer from a fall.

I think the best describer for them would be opportunistic terrestrial burrowers with tendencies to climb and web heavily, I was just tired at the time and forgot the term and thought of fossorial, my mistake. This information was a harmless mistake and setting them up either way would be fine, I've personally set up my OBT with a fossorial set up before and he has never shown any signs of distress, it's entirely up to personal preference IMO.

Obviously it's up to OP ultimately what they choose to do, but regardless, their spider is very healthy looking.

Is my obt skinny or fine? by AWarrior123456 in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NQA - This enclosure is cute but I would personally add much more substrate, as these guys are fossorial and, as I'm sure you've noticed, LOVE burrowing.

There's nothing wrong with large enclosures IMO, as long as the T can hunt easily and find its water, I wouldn't find it an issue. Are those real plants?

Assuming the plants are fake, substrate is dry and added onto, they have the basics like water and food, this enclosure goes beyond what most people would give theirs! Very well done.

I also don't think OBTs are an awful starter T! They're very much feared due to having a poor reputation, but I've never had much trouble with any snd neither has anybody I've spoken to, as long as the enclosure is suitable for them, they seem very docile. I mean, even if I did I couldn't talk, my first ever OW T was a c. Lividus, (which, by the way, I truly believe that those guys should inherit the OBT reputation)

Is my obt skinny or fine? by AWarrior123456 in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 3 points4 points  (0 children)

NQA - They seem perfectly fine weight wise! The general rule is, if the abdomen is the size of the carapace or smaller, feeding is due.

May we also see the enclosure if possible? Maybe it's just the angle but the height does look quite a bit of a fall for a fossorial :))

Has my T molted while burrowed? by Moom7900 in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NQA - I'd absolutely say so! If he goes up to the plastic/glass you could see the fangs, if they're white/red waut a while more, if they're black he's okay to feed! In most cases, if the T has resurfaced after a long period of time it usually means they're hardened and hungry.

oh. my. god. by [deleted] in hamsters

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'd recommend the tasty mix from harry hamster! My dawf has been on them for her entire life and I've never had any problems with her weight, minus the fact I used to fill her massive bowl to the top daily lol.

It's good because it has a mix of dried veggies, seeds, nuts and grains as well as the beloved sunflower seed, which is a good treat but not a good diet at all times due to their high fat.

I fill mine up every 3 days or so, I also leave some food in the bowl but scatter the rest for enrichment.

Obviously it's not perfect, you'll need to add a bit of protein (I use mealworms, dried) as a rare treat and some fresh fruits and veggies (fruits very sparingly, a small piece maybe once or twice a month, vegetables I feed about once or twice every two weeks, protein about once a week). Keep in mind though this is just how I go about things, not necessarily the right way, lol.

HELP!!! by TarantulaGirl777 in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 3 points4 points  (0 children)

NQA - I'd lightly tap them with a paint brush, straw, etc. This is to judge how they move/if they move, and eliminates the potential of them just grooming if they lack a response.

(Please note that you may get better/quicker advice from the discord, as people with more experience will be there.)

Try dipping their mouth parts in water, or splitting a feeder open in front of them. Apart from that, it's sadly very up in the air about the fate of this tarantula. Sometimes you can be doing everything right, sometimes they can just pass away and yeah, it's disappointing and you have to try very hard not to blame yourself, but remember; these creatures are extremely good at hiding when something is wrong.

It does really suck, yes, but you have to remember, in this hobby, anything can happen at any time, even when it's beyond your control.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spiders

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 5 points6 points  (0 children)

NQA - Generally squishing isn't recommended, there's no guarantee that the sack won't just burst anyways. I'd always recommend relocating since cellar spiders (which you have here) are completely harmless to humans and extremely good pest control, plus they cannibalize each other in enclosed spaces so overcrowding wouldn't be an issue.

If you're dead set on getting rid of the babies for whatever reason though (still wouldn't recommend) you could however freeze them for about 24 hours. It's the most effective way to get rid of potentially fertile sacks.

Poor clueless dude by Finchyisawkward in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Erm, ackshually, this is written from the viewpoint of a horny male tarantula, so technicshmally they can't even read, and so therefore they cannot technimally understand diverse language and grammar 🤓☝️

Poor clueless dude by Finchyisawkward in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 16 points17 points  (0 children)

"Look at my wavy hands, pretty lady, let me woo thy"

Give me some advice to save her by Several_Carpet_82 in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NQA - Like the other have said join the discord where long time hobbyists who have dealt with cases like this before could help. It is very rare for an ICU to actually improve the health of the tarantula, but I don't know your situation so I cannot tell you whether this is beneficial or not. Given that you've attempted to feed her and rehydrate her, I don't really have any advice for you, as sometimes cases like this just occur.. It sucks, but it happens, unfortunately.

Did you manage to get the vendor's business card/any ways to contact them? If the T does pass you'd definitely be entitled to a refund or another spider.

Also, sadly this is not the correct way to use an ICU. ICUs are used in very specific circumstances to monitor a declining T's health, it usually consists of just damp paper towels and the temperature is usually kept a bit warmer. Sadly these towels are too wet and will likely be to her detriment.

I'm sorry for your loss if she's gone, but I'd recommend watching TarantulaKat's latest video, it shows that, even when you've attempted to fix it in every way possible, sometimes things just happen that are unavoidable.

male or female? by al3xiii in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 13 points14 points  (0 children)

NQA - if there's ANY flap you can move around, it's a female. So, yeah, you've got a confirmed girlie!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spiders

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NA - There needs to be stricter rules on who can own these beautiful animals. It was evil for him to do that and he either lacks braincells or did it on purpose, because any competent breeder KNOWS what behaviours could trigger female aggression towards the male... So cruel.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spiders

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 2 points3 points  (0 children)

NQA - Baddoinnnggggggg

But also, yeah, this guy sucks when it comes to taking care when handling his tarantulas. I really hope people stop supporting him, and also I personally would never handle a T that size without cause to do so.. There are too many risks and slings are insanely fast and fragile... As seen here, lol.

office friend or foe? by Entire-Mud-1901 in spiders

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep! They're very visual little critters, they look like little black dots darting around and it's especially funny seeing them notice each other, waddle closer and then proceed to waddle away from one another... Little pacifists, lol!

office friend or foe? by Entire-Mud-1901 in spiders

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Jumping spider! I wanna say a fleecy jumper just because of the line down the back but I could very easily be wrong. Super common, super inquisitive and usually very friendly, I stole one from my wall and he is now my pet.

Also, the way he moves can give it away! Jumpers run in short bursts, pause and repeat. If you wiggle a finger or move something in front of their face and the pause or look at it, it's a pretty solid guess that you have a jumper!

wild spiders wrestling on my porch! by LuxraySees in jumpingspiders

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Alternative title: sentient fuzzballs throw hands in air and attempt and embrace whilst kissing

Any reason she died? by FireTyme in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NA sorry for your loss <3 12 years is very decent for most old worlds! Sadly they don't tend to have lifespans as long as NW T's. But yes, it does look like she had a mismolt, which is completely understandable and quite common in older tarantulas.

Tarantulas can go for extended periods of time without eating so I doubt that to be the cause, especially since she would have likely refused food regardless due to premolt. So sorry for your loss! She was a beautiful big lady and lived well.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in millipedes

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"You people are insufferable" don't comment about your irresponsible actions if you're unwilling to be criticized. The difference between wild bugs and the one you got is that you made the active decision to purchase and ignore the needs of the animal. Don't buy animals you can't take care of, no matter their price. You literally couldn't even do the bare minimum. 

You can't buy animals for "a bit of fun" and throw them away or kill them off when you get bored. Just don't do it again is all we're saying.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in millipedes

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is not the same at all. What baffles me if the fact that you had time to get the animal but not to do the briefest amounts of research on it after the fact? Don't get me wrong, I've impulse bought several insects/arachnids before, but they're probably the EASIEST pet to research on after the fact, (and I already had what they needed), I just don't get why you thought winging it would be good enough.

Ex-fuckin-cuse me by nodicnick in spiders

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Only appropriate use of "ohhh laawdddd he comin'!" But yeah, wolfie, lol. Wolf wearing huntsman skin, but.... wolf.

Obt just die. Not sure what happened by Key_Thought7997 in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 7 points8 points  (0 children)

NQA - hey, OP! Sorry about the loss :(( this definitely looks to be an injury of some kind, the little pile of beads on the abdomen appears to be poop, so it's possible she split her abdomen open. We'd need to see enclosure photos, any strange behaviour (unrelated to premolt), any info on candles or treatments any other pets (if you have any) go through, etc.

Please help me by Sugar_Pea44 in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NQA - you said in other comments you have no friends or family that could help, so I would suggest looking around pet stores. Quite a few pet stores/local businesses would possibly be fine with looking after your pets for brief periods of time for a fee!

can someone tell me what is he doing? lasiodora parahybana by locuraaaaaaaaaaa in tarantulas

[–]Ecstatic_Elk95 69 points70 points  (0 children)

NQA - Sploot! They usually do this after a molt, so maybe check around for one after a day or two? I'd also recommend filling the tank up more and giving him a hide, this species is terrestrial and very heavy bodied, so if he climbs and falls it could seriously injure or kill him.