Eating but Abdomen Shrinking

[Turtlynne]

Hi...My E.campestratus has probably lost at least half of it's abdominal size over the last 3-4 weeks.(REALLY dramatic size decrease!) I have seen it eat good sized red runner at least 3 times during that time period. This is a spider I purchased as a small sling approximately 1 1/2 years ago so it is not really an 'elderly' spider. It has been very active and continues to cruise alot! Any ideas what might be going on? I am becoming concerned at this point but suspect there's nothing I can do but continue good care.

 

[Dave Jay]

Could dehydration be a factor?

 

[RonC]

Make sure water is available. Give it larger feeders or feed it more frequently.

 

[Turtlynne]

Thanks so much....have been keeping water bowl carefully full 24/7...but will try bigger runners - although since T is large it gets the larger ones when I do feed - and it has been ignoring some of them( have given both males and females - I usually feed 2x/ week).......it's a puzzlement.....thanx again - keeping a close eye on it.

 

[Whitelightning777]

Try feeding it an earth worm that isn't more then twice as long as the tarantula. These are occasional treats, not a steady diet. Earthworms have a high moisture content and lots of calories.

 

[Metalman2004]

How big is it? Any chance of a picture so we can see how dire the situation is?

 

[PanzoN88]

Pictures would definitely help if at all possible, might I suggest superworms or mealworms.

 

[KezyGLA]

Has it secretly moulted?

 

[Phil]

you sure not a mature male?

 

[Turtlynne]

thanks everyone for your kind answers... yesterday I fed 'Pink' an earthworm...scarffed it right up...today I managed to get the spider out in full view for a photo and perhaps the idea that abdomen is very small is an illusion because of the absence of all the setae - i don't pester or handle my spiders so i don't know why the 'baldness' - I've never seen this spider flick hair...have posted photo...spider continues to behave in what I consider a 'normal' spiderly fashion...again - perhaps the smallness was just all in my head!

 

[Metalman2004]

Looks just fine to me! Also, the abdomen looks dark like it’s ready to molt. I’m surprised it ate.

 

[Whitelightning777]

I agree, looks like premolt. Sometimes the legs and body will appear to be slightly slimmer. I haven't seen this all that much in mine, but I've heard that this makes it easier for them to get out of the old exoskeleton.

 

[KezyGLA]

That’s a mature male. The chances of it moulting again are highly unlikely.

It’s abdomen will continue to shrink as its lifespan comes to an end.

 

[Metalman2004]

That’s a mature male. The chances of it moulting again are highly unlikely.

It’s abdomen will continue to shrink as its lifespan comes to an end.

Your eyes are better than mine then. Too blurry for me to see hooks or bulbs.

 

[Whitelightning777]

I edited the picture so hopefully done more detail is revealed. I didn't see any hooks, but some males don't have them.

I hope this helps.

 

[Enn49]

I think I spy a hook in the yellow circle

 

[Whitelightning777]

I think I spy a hook in the yellow circleView attachment 33330

Yes, now I see it. I think there's also one on the other leg but it's very faint.

Still, try feeding him an earthworm.

 

[Turtlynne]

I suspected this was a male...thanks for confirming...hoping he will be with me a little while longer!(p.s. he loved the worm)

 

[Whitelightning777]

I usually feed my larger terrestrials one earthworm per month in addition to the usual feeders. It keeps them happy.

Earthworms and Hornworms will bulk up practically any invertebrate.