It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I come to you this afternoon. Our pet tarantula, Clementine, is dead.
Clementine
We inherited Clementine a little over two years ago (June 30, 2018) from friends that were returning to their native Brazil and could not take her with them. Clementine was a joy and a delight to know, to have, and to observe, and we learned a lot from her.
Clementine made her education debut on May 15, 2019 when she assisted
me with one of my library programs. The children absolutely loved her!
I knew something was happening with Clementine and that it was different. She had spent three full days frantically spinning this huge and really thick mat on the bottom of her cage. It was thicker and more elaborate than anything that I had ever seen her do before (like when decorating her lair or when getting ready to molt).
In Better Days
Clementine Spinning Silk and Redecorating Her Home
She wouldn't eat and, when she was done spinning, she just stopped. I assumed that she had worn herself out and was just resting. Within a day or so, I noticed that she had pulled her legs up underneath of her and wasn't moving. After reading and googling a bit I discovered that this is what is called the death stance.
The Death Stance
Clementine obviously couldn't stand on her own, so I wet a paper towel, put it in her cage, and slipped a corner of it under her mouth to supply water to her in case she needed it. As of last night there were still signs of life, but, as of this morning, there were none.
I had to work a half a day this morning, but, when I got home, we took the lid off Clementine's cage and checked. She was stiff and definitely dead. John and I buried her and he said some words over her.
I would never have believed that I would ever have a pet tarantula or could learn to love a spider, but I did. John and I both loved Clementine. She was an awesome pet and we learned a lot from her. We both cried over her demise and had a little funeral of sorts for her on the front lawn where she is buried. Now, we are completely pet-less.
There were some other things that I was going to write about, but, I will save them for another time.
"All creatures great and small...
...the Lord God made them all."
Until next time...
~Rebecca
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I'm so sorry. Clementine was a sweet girl 🕷🕸
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Angie
Thanks! She sure was and we're going to miss her! Love you, too! <3
DeleteI never knew anything about tarantulas, but Clementine seems like she was a sweet creature. It is amazing that she knew it was time for her to spin and weave a funeral shroud for herself. I'm glad that you shared this about Clementine here, I learned a lot, and can now see the beauty even in a giant spider.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susie. I'm glad to know that, even in death, Clementine is still touching and teaching others. God bless you! <3
DeletePoor wee creature, I’m sorry for your loss
ReplyDeleteThank you! <3
DeleteI am very sorry for your loss. I've never known anyone with a pet tarantula before, and I am glad to know that she was a sweet and good pet. Thank you for sharing a bit about her life with us. Sounds like she had a good life with you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam! She was a sweet and good pet. I would never have dreamed that I could become so attached to a spider, but it surely did happen. I keep looking at her empty corner and it makes me sad. I miss her.
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