Actually, I'm pretty sure my tarantula is dead. It hasn't moved in about ten days, even when touched. My husband, however, isn't sure. He picked it up and said that it still feels flexible and heavy. He thinks that it would dry up or start to smell bad if it was really dead. Like I said, I'm sure that it has passed on, but I would hate to dispose of it without someone knowledgeable telling me that my husband is wrong.

Rebecca
[EMAIL="spiderfuzz@hotmail.com"]

sorry to hear that.
a couple of questions;
1) are its legs curled up under it
2)was it on its back before it was picked up
3) can you post pics of it?
Warren

If it hasn't moved in 10 days and there's no reaction when you pick it up I'd say it's dead too. Sorry.

I would have thought that, too, but - was it Annette - rescued an avic in a death curl, put its face in a water dish, and now its alive and eating- have you tried that, or any form of ICU? I would have thought she bought a dead taantula, but its alive, now!

You are right - never give up...

But 10 days, that's a bit long.
I don't know how long that miracle Avic of mine was in the death curl, could have just curled up the day before.

If there was any bad smell it would be a safe indication.
I had a s'ling once that I wasn't sure about - I left it alone for a couple of days and finally some mold started growing on it and it started to smell, so I was sure it had passed.

It's a hard call - I personally never give up unless there is proof that it has passed, like the mold or smell.....

It's legs are close to it's body, but they're not curled up tight. She's in the position that she gets in when she's eating. She doesn't smell or even look dead. After a few days I actually turned her over and poured a drop of water on her mouth. She didn't even twitch.
I don't think I can get you a picture tonight, but I'll ask my husband to help me tomorrow. Do tarantulas normally get stiff or brittle when they die? Mine still looks and feels very natural.

Thank you for all of your responses. I am pretty sure she must be dead, but I agree with Anette. I think I'll wait until I have some kind of proof.

This really has me confused. If it is dead it should be showing signs of it, stiffness, the smell, beginning to decay even. To not move for almost two weeks, be handled and have water dropped into it's mouth and still no response is hard to fathom.

How cold is it in the room that it's in? Can you find a way to warm it up safely? Like the next time you take a shower take it with you into the bathroom. Let it get warmed up by the steam. Good luck and keep us informed if you can.

Doesn't sound dead to me, but doesn't sound good either. Sounds like it might be some sort of internal parasite. Not much you can do if it is. Hopefully that is not the case. I'd definitely try the steamy shower trick and see if that elicits any response, then stick it inan ICU for a few days and see if that helps.

The spider's cage is in the computer room and we keep the house pretty warm. I'll take it in the bathroom when I shower tomorrow.
My husband and I both figured that a creature so large would start to smell if it was dead. When one of our mice die we can definately tell after even one day. I checked it again a few minutes ago and it still isn't moving, but it still feels "alive".
What do you mean by an ICU? I would love to save it but I'm running out of hope.

I for one, will keep my fingers crossed that it's just playin' possum. Keep us informed.

ICU = Intensive Care Unit

If you have "The Tarantula Keeper's Guide" it is described there in detail.

I'll give you the basics here. The ICU is essentially a clean sterile enclosure that you use to raise the temp and humidity to help a T that is sick or injured. It starts out with a clean buttertub or similar type small container. Poke some ventilation holes in it, line it with moist (not soaking) paper towels, then put the spider in it, and put it in a warm place. Many suggest on top of the refrigerator.

Check on it and replace the paper towels daily. Some times peopel make two, so they can move the spider from one to the other, then clean the old one.

I'm going from memory here, so somebody chime in if I missed something.

My tarantula is currently in the same situation - what did you find in the end?