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My LP is not eating

Ed Zeppelin

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Hi everyone,
I have had my LP for just over 3 years and have never had a problem with her eating after a molt. It's been almost 4 weeks now but she refuses food. I've tried to coax her (Remember the airplane spoon?) but to no avail. Any ideas? Thanx.


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Ed Zeppelin

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How's her fangs post molt?
I'm assuming they're okay. I suppose I could stick my finger in there to find out but that would be like poking the bear (not a option). She's about 6" now and I'm sure that would sting pretty good. She moves around her enclosure as usual, just not eating. I'm stumped.


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octanejunkie

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I'm impressed with the C64 tag line

What color are the fangs, light or dark, and are you sure your LP is a she? The behavior you describe, and size of your LP sound like a possible mature male...
 

Ed Zeppelin

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In the past her fangs have always been dark so I have no reason to think otherwise now. When she/he eats a cricket I can see the fang color. Right now, I can't. Maybe I'm missing something here. Also, do females not move around or grow to be 6" at this stage? I know someone whose LP is now almost 8".


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octanejunkie

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In the past her fangs have always been dark so I have no reason to think otherwise now. When she/he eats a cricket I can see the fang color. Right now, I can't. Maybe I'm missing something here. Also, do females not move around or grow to be 6" at this stage? I know someone whose LP is now almost 8".


Sent from my Commodore 64 running Windoze 95
After a molt, the fangs are soft and light in color, like bone colored. They will not eat until their fangs "harden" which is when they become and stay dark. The older the T the longer it takes for the fangs to harden, sometimes as long as 2 weeks.

Females do move around and and female LPs can grow to 9" but males are usually smaller.
 

Ed Zeppelin

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Check the previous molt for the sucking stomach, or it can just not be hungry.
Although I have heard of folks keeping {collecting?) past molts, I don't. In the past she/he normally eats like a horse so I dunno what's different this time. I hope she/he is just not hungry.


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Ed Zeppelin

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After a molt, the fangs are soft and light in color, like bone colored. They will not eat until their fangs "harden" which is when they become and stay dark. The older the T the longer it takes for the fangs to harden, sometimes as long as 2 weeks.

Females do move around and and female LPs can grow to 9" but males are usually smaller.
Hopefully it's just a matter of taking longer than normal for the fangs to harden. It's just that in the past it's no more than 7-8 days b4 she will eat.


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Ed Zeppelin

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I'm impressed with the C64 tag line

What color are the fangs, light or dark, and are you sure your LP is a she? The behavior you describe, and size of your LP sound like a possible mature male..
You mentioned that my LP may be a mature male. I only said she moves around the enclosure as usual and is about 6". You can tell from that?


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octanejunkie

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You mentioned that my LP may be a mature male. I only said she moves around the enclosure as usual and is about 6". You can tell from that?


Sent from my Commodore 64 running Windoze 95
I'm impressed with the C64 tag line

What color are the fangs, light or dark, and are you sure your LP is a she? The behavior you describe, and size of your LP sound like a possible mature male...
It's not what I said, it's how I said it.
I phrased it as a potential question based on the circumstances you described, which begets uncertainty. I can see that now.

Allow me to asked you, how do you know your LP is female?
We call boats 'she' but those are inanimate objects...
 

Ed Zeppelin

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It's not what I said, it's how I said it.
I phrased it as a potential question based on the circumstances you described, which begets uncertainty. I can see that now.

Allow me to asked you, how do you know your LP is female?
We call boats 'she' but those are inanimate objects...
"She" was given to me from a friend who said she was sexed as a female. I may be making too much of her not eating right now, but I'm just concerned bcuz this hasn't happened after previous molts; she's always eaten after about a week. I guess I'm just waiting for someone who knows to tell me not to worry about it.

One more thing: About a week or so ago I cleaned out her enclosure and made a slight decorating modification to it, unlike in the past. Could she be that fussy where it upset the apple cart in regards to her appetite? If so, I can undo it. Thanx for your help.



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goldenpumpkin

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Thanx. I realize T's can go w/o food for extended periods, this situation is a first for me and has me concerned. I'll keep ya posted.


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I feel your pain, to an extent. I'm newer to this though (I've only had mine for <2 weeks) so I'm sure it hits very differently when you haven't had this problem with your T for >3 years! The question I still have in regards to fasting is: how long is TOO long? Also, I too received a "cOnFiRmEd FeMalE" tarantula that had VERY noticeable bulbs and hooks lol, so it never hurts to double or triple check!
 

Ed Zeppelin

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This is a hobby of patience. There are rarely tarantula emergencies.

When in doubt, wait it out.

Keep us posted!
After about four weeks, my Esmeralda is finally eating. I tossed in a big fat juicy cricket that she gobbled up faster than you can say Rumpelstiltskin. Had me concerned there for a while.

which
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prince charmless

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It's not what I said, it's how I said it.
I phrased it as a potential question based on the circumstances you described, which begets uncertainty. I can see that now.

Allow me to asked you, how do you know your LP is female?
We call boats 'she' but those are inanimate objects...
I've called my boat less flattering things than "she"
 

menavodi

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After about four weeks, my Esmeralda is finally eating. I tossed in a big fat juicy cricket that she gobbled up faster than you can say Rumpelstiltskin. Had me concerned there for a while.

which
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I am glad she is eating now… and I could not say that fast anyway. LOL ;)
 

JACEY

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Trying superworms. My two Curlys refused them at next offer. My Avic refused them also. They can be choicy. Imagine lol brought Dubias home, it was on. Lol ❤ yeah when they eat well.
 

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