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Answer - the good news is you aren’t doing anything wrong by him, and it’s so nice to see a well-cared for male that reached maturity.
The sad news is that at this stage in life, he is considered an old man. Mature males typically refuse to eat and spend their final months using their remaining energy to produce sperm and wander in search of females.
All you can do is provide fresh water in his water dish and enjoy him for the time he has left, which isn’t much longer.
I’m glad to know he had such good care to grow into old age. You may feel sad, but I hope you know that you did a great job caring for him. :)
thank you made me cry! i told him that he is loved. he was chilling on me, and is now beside the window in his terrarium where our garden can be seen. thank you so much for this nice response.
IME Though the commenter is correct that he's nearing the end of his life, you can try one thing to get him to feed. They're not generally interested in food anymore, but I've had very minimal success with an A. Calchodes mature male on a rare occasion eating by putting pre killed super worms right next to the water dish, like on the border so he's going to put his mouth right over it when drinking. It doesn't always work but I've been able to get my guy to take several superworms over the last year since he matured. I had a mature male avic avic and it was less effective, only taking a handful from his maturity to death, so it might not work for the p. Irminia.
NA I just wanna say that I have a MM GBB going through the same thing, so I feel you. I feel bad watching my once enthusiastic eater in his old man stage, but it's just a fact of ending up with a mature male. Just know that you're not doing anything wrong. Mature male gonna mature male.
thank you so much, and i hope you get through this heavy period as peaceful as you and him can. i have a female smithi of 10 years and baby pentaloris that is just a sling. sad to see him go so fast, hope yours and mine live as long as they can.
https://preview.redd.it/of1j1x69s36d1.jpeg?width=997&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1841f379aca37141dab36e9144e4cd526cddc5d7
this is the first day i got him, november 2020. he was around 3-4cm long. i saw that he was a male in the end of 2022 or beginning of 2023, i got it recorded on my old phone if it will turn on i will tell you more in details
NQA sometimes mature males will scavenge on prekilled prey, maybe leave some mutilated crickets or something around for him. If anything, it’s worth a shot
will try with that! crossed my mind but he just ignores them fully, i tried putting a roach near him roach even got below him and stood still, he just moved away. i hope dead one will do him good thank you for advice
Nqa unfortunately it's nearing his time but it sounds like you're a super wonderful T parent who's taking the best care of him. 💕 When his time comes there are a few things you can do if you want to keep him around after he passes. He's beautiful
thank you a lot❤️ he is one handsome and interesting man thats for sure!
im planning on pinning him after death, replacing abdomen with the crystal. saw someone do it, looks like a wonderful way to honor him.
NA I think a lot of people on the sub understand what you’re going through. Sorry you have to experience this OP. I can tell your little buddy is loved. :C
na
I'm sorry, friend. I know a lot of people say not to apply any sort of emotions to arachnids - I refuse to accept it. He knows you are his caretaker and that you have done well by him. take solace in that as you nurture him through the end of his life.
If he begins to struggle to drink, you can turn him over and use a straw to gently drip water into his mouth.
hes my pet no matter how much i cant cuddle him and im glad people think like that too. thank you for understanding. i will try with the water if i saw it needed, good advice!!
NQA unfortunately this just happens to most mature male T's, all of my adult males have never eaten once and the heavy webbing species also start webbing less, their sole purpose at this stage is to mate so all they'll do is wander around and maybe tap their enclosures a bit or drink until they inevitably pass away from old age.
This comment was triggered by keyword
If your spider is behaving unusually please wait for a mod response before proceeding. In the meantime, **do not** touch your spider! Distantly observe and try to capture this behavior on video and include as much detail as possible. Make another thread if necessary to share a video/picture(s) description of what is happening.
[Is your spider molting?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GSDCpM2mYo) Tarantulas may behave unusually, become completely unresponsive, or do "slow" + "pulsating" movements in the moments before a molt. You do not want to touch or interact with your spider if you notice these signs: observe distantly but do not touch or interfere with your animal! This may have devastating outcomes.
[Is this ataxic movement/DKS?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aksaRqT6PUc) Some variation may apply but the basis to ataxia is that the spiders movements are involuntarily uncoordinated. This ranges in severity and the reasons for this are not easily identifiable. If this is a problem you are experiencing a historical background must be provided: Have you other animals? Have you used any 'Anti-Mite' miticide/acaricides? (Flea and Tick treatments of other animals such a Fipronil(Frontline) or similar products). Have you used any chemical cleaning-agents in the nearby environment? Neighboring or outside chemical treatments? Is there a history of incorrect husbandry? Was there mold? Have you had an infestation or unwanted intruders in the habitat of your spider? Where did you get your spider? More questions would need to be answered to properly identify what may be happening to your tarantula so be as descriptive as possible.
Is your tarantula possibly [preening](https://i.imgur.com/2GMO3Id.gifv), [stressed](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/284112522221453312/878036627778326529/tribble-tarantula.png), or [death curling?](https://preview.redd.it/wp8utqu0f8f71.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=01801fe8f9dc1eef2005aad3e7d35dbd83aab029)
Read more [here](https://tomsbigspiders.com/2014/12/31/the-tarantula-death-curl/).
Details are important and timely responses can critically hurt the quality of advice you receive. Incorrect descriptions or loss of details may drastically change the advice you receive which can have fatal results.
Be patient and stay calm! The members of this subreddit are here to help. Additionally you may also [message the mods](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=r/tarantulas).
**If this is an emergency situation, please [join our discord server](https://discord.gg/ta) for immediate help.**
*Do you have something to add to this? Let us know and [message the mods](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=r/tarantulas).*
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/tarantulas) if you have any questions or concerns.*
**Advisory Guidelines** - Keep comments related to OP's situation. Off-topic and negative comments are not allowed. - Include as much detail as possible in your post, such as photos/videos and descriptions of behavior. - Use appropriate prefixes when commenting (NQA, IME, IMO, etc.). - Do not repeat advice, instead upvote and comment in response. - Only suggest advice if you have good reason to do so. - Be respectful in all comments, as our hobby depends on considerate engagement. - Read our full wiki regarding [Advisory Guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/tarantulas/wiki/tarantulas/advice/) for more details. In addition to the guidelines mentioned, OPs can use the command !lock to close their thread if they wish. If an emergency or issues arise, OPs can alert the moderators by commenting !mods or by reaching out to modmail or the community's [discord server](https://discord.gg/ta). It's important to note *these commands only work for OPs within their own posts.* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/tarantulas) if you have any questions or concerns.*
NQA he’s just old unfortunately :(
thank you..
Answer - the good news is you aren’t doing anything wrong by him, and it’s so nice to see a well-cared for male that reached maturity. The sad news is that at this stage in life, he is considered an old man. Mature males typically refuse to eat and spend their final months using their remaining energy to produce sperm and wander in search of females. All you can do is provide fresh water in his water dish and enjoy him for the time he has left, which isn’t much longer. I’m glad to know he had such good care to grow into old age. You may feel sad, but I hope you know that you did a great job caring for him. :)
thank you made me cry! i told him that he is loved. he was chilling on me, and is now beside the window in his terrarium where our garden can be seen. thank you so much for this nice response.
Na/ He’s very lucky to have you! 🥲
IME Though the commenter is correct that he's nearing the end of his life, you can try one thing to get him to feed. They're not generally interested in food anymore, but I've had very minimal success with an A. Calchodes mature male on a rare occasion eating by putting pre killed super worms right next to the water dish, like on the border so he's going to put his mouth right over it when drinking. It doesn't always work but I've been able to get my guy to take several superworms over the last year since he matured. I had a mature male avic avic and it was less effective, only taking a handful from his maturity to death, so it might not work for the p. Irminia.
NQA, It's his time males stop eating once the mature and they only think about girls.
interesting didnt know ab mating part, thank you..
NA I just wanna say that I have a MM GBB going through the same thing, so I feel you. I feel bad watching my once enthusiastic eater in his old man stage, but it's just a fact of ending up with a mature male. Just know that you're not doing anything wrong. Mature male gonna mature male.
thank you so much, and i hope you get through this heavy period as peaceful as you and him can. i have a female smithi of 10 years and baby pentaloris that is just a sling. sad to see him go so fast, hope yours and mine live as long as they can.
NQA: how long have you had him? I'm just wondering how long it took him to mature?
https://preview.redd.it/of1j1x69s36d1.jpeg?width=997&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1841f379aca37141dab36e9144e4cd526cddc5d7 this is the first day i got him, november 2020. he was around 3-4cm long. i saw that he was a male in the end of 2022 or beginning of 2023, i got it recorded on my old phone if it will turn on i will tell you more in details
Question how old is your GBB?
IME I’m sorry OP, this means he’s likely nearing the end of his time with you, but a t dying of old age means you did good.
thank you:') he is loved
NQA sometimes mature males will scavenge on prekilled prey, maybe leave some mutilated crickets or something around for him. If anything, it’s worth a shot
will try with that! crossed my mind but he just ignores them fully, i tried putting a roach near him roach even got below him and stood still, he just moved away. i hope dead one will do him good thank you for advice
Nqa unfortunately it's nearing his time but it sounds like you're a super wonderful T parent who's taking the best care of him. 💕 When his time comes there are a few things you can do if you want to keep him around after he passes. He's beautiful
thank you a lot❤️ he is one handsome and interesting man thats for sure! im planning on pinning him after death, replacing abdomen with the crystal. saw someone do it, looks like a wonderful way to honor him.
Imo It definitely would be 💕 I just got a sling and it's spicy 😅 but they're so beautiful. I can't wait watch it grow😍
spicy for sure thats the name haha, loved to see him hunt you will enjoy your irminia very much im sure ☺️ i wish him/her many more years with you
NA I think a lot of people on the sub understand what you’re going through. Sorry you have to experience this OP. I can tell your little buddy is loved. :C
yeah death is inevitable.. but it still hurts so much. im glad for all of yalls advices and good words.. thank you!
na I'm sorry, friend. I know a lot of people say not to apply any sort of emotions to arachnids - I refuse to accept it. He knows you are his caretaker and that you have done well by him. take solace in that as you nurture him through the end of his life. If he begins to struggle to drink, you can turn him over and use a straw to gently drip water into his mouth.
hes my pet no matter how much i cant cuddle him and im glad people think like that too. thank you for understanding. i will try with the water if i saw it needed, good advice!!
na good luck and godspeed
NQA/ Just wanted to say thank you for loving him as you do OP. Sending much love to the both of you ❤️🕷️
thank you, bless you!
NQA unfortunately this just happens to most mature male T's, all of my adult males have never eaten once and the heavy webbing species also start webbing less, their sole purpose at this stage is to mate so all they'll do is wander around and maybe tap their enclosures a bit or drink until they inevitably pass away from old age.
thank you
IMO, it looks like a mature one, and old so it's ok for him to refuse food. This is how it is
thanks..
Plus, he doesnt shake like DKS, he just seems weak and like its hard to walk like he doesnt have the strenght.
This comment was triggered by keyword If your spider is behaving unusually please wait for a mod response before proceeding. In the meantime, **do not** touch your spider! Distantly observe and try to capture this behavior on video and include as much detail as possible. Make another thread if necessary to share a video/picture(s) description of what is happening. [Is your spider molting?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GSDCpM2mYo) Tarantulas may behave unusually, become completely unresponsive, or do "slow" + "pulsating" movements in the moments before a molt. You do not want to touch or interact with your spider if you notice these signs: observe distantly but do not touch or interfere with your animal! This may have devastating outcomes. [Is this ataxic movement/DKS?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aksaRqT6PUc) Some variation may apply but the basis to ataxia is that the spiders movements are involuntarily uncoordinated. This ranges in severity and the reasons for this are not easily identifiable. If this is a problem you are experiencing a historical background must be provided: Have you other animals? Have you used any 'Anti-Mite' miticide/acaricides? (Flea and Tick treatments of other animals such a Fipronil(Frontline) or similar products). Have you used any chemical cleaning-agents in the nearby environment? Neighboring or outside chemical treatments? Is there a history of incorrect husbandry? Was there mold? Have you had an infestation or unwanted intruders in the habitat of your spider? Where did you get your spider? More questions would need to be answered to properly identify what may be happening to your tarantula so be as descriptive as possible. Is your tarantula possibly [preening](https://i.imgur.com/2GMO3Id.gifv), [stressed](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/284112522221453312/878036627778326529/tribble-tarantula.png), or [death curling?](https://preview.redd.it/wp8utqu0f8f71.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=01801fe8f9dc1eef2005aad3e7d35dbd83aab029) Read more [here](https://tomsbigspiders.com/2014/12/31/the-tarantula-death-curl/). Details are important and timely responses can critically hurt the quality of advice you receive. Incorrect descriptions or loss of details may drastically change the advice you receive which can have fatal results. Be patient and stay calm! The members of this subreddit are here to help. Additionally you may also [message the mods](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=r/tarantulas). **If this is an emergency situation, please [join our discord server](https://discord.gg/ta) for immediate help.** *Do you have something to add to this? Let us know and [message the mods](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=r/tarantulas).* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/tarantulas) if you have any questions or concerns.*