Hey everyone,
I've noticed that one of my L.parahybana slings has been acting a little different from the others. Its tucked itself into a little ball, and seems very weak. It has enough moisture, a roach was still in its tank (alive) so I can't think its starving (the roach was as big as its rump). I know today was a little cooler than normal here by me, but it's been this was since saturday. Got it's enclosure on a heating pad now (not directly, which brings me to ask should it be?)

Any suggestions, signs to look for, advice?

Doesn't sound good. Has it only started doing this recently? When last did it eat? when last did it moult? & does it move around if you prod it softly?

Also keep in mind that the heating pad will cause the moisture to evaporate very quickly, so check up on it regularly. Especially if it's a small enclosure, which I assume it is since it's a sling.

Hopefully it's preparing to molt. I have noticed that the spiders slow down and appear to be vibrating when moving when moving close to a molt.

I hope it pulls through and that it is nothing to be worried about.

I first noticed it friday after work, and the last time i fed it was friday before work. I feed them 2/3 times a week with small pallid roaches. I got them from Stalker mid march, and none of them has moulted since I've had them. A little weird to me, as I've got a B.vagans which i've had since 20 feb 2011, and it's moulted twice to date.

SynergyZA wrote: Also keep in mind that the heating pad will cause the moisture to evaporate very quickly, so check up on it regularly. Especially if it's a small enclosure, which I assume it is since it's a sling.

Hopefully it's preparing to molt. I have noticed that the spiders slow down and appear to be vibrating when moving when moving close to a molt.

I hope it pulls through and that it is nothing to be worried about.

I hope so to. Guess I never seen my B.vagans premoult cause it hides in it's burrow. *holds thumbs*

I'd say wait it out for just a while longer ... has the colour darkened? if its big enough and already kicking off hair is there a bold patch on the abdomen? if their is what colour is the patch? If there answers are yes and dark then it's getting ready to moult

If things look very bad try using a ICU.
I'm going now so can't explain it... so here is a link instead www.tarantulas.com/first_aid.html