G Pulchripes hasn't eaten since I've gotten it

[Chacoboy]

So, small update:
I've changed the enclosure to one much bigger, because I noticed it's still always on the edges trying to climb out. However, it's doing the same in this new enclosure. It has enough places to hide, and the substrate is bone dry. I've been reading that a lot of slings will burrow when the enclosure is pretty big. It hasn't yet molted, but it has eaten a few dead pinheads. I dunno what to do about the issue of it trying to climb out though.

 

[Nunua]

So, small update:
I've changed the enclosure to one much bigger, because I noticed it's still always on the edges trying to climb out. However, it's doing the same in this new enclosure. It has enough places to hide, and the substrate is bone dry. I've been reading that a lot of slings will burrow when the enclosure is pretty big. It hasn't yet molted, but it has eaten a few dead pinheads. I dunno what to do about the issue of it trying to climb out though.

How big the new enclosure is? There was no need to change to the bigger one, what I saw from the photos of previous enclosure

However, no need to worry about it climbing on the walls - just enough of substrate to prevent falling high. Several of my slings do the same, and my juvenile genic was the same as well before settling in.

All it needs for now is peace and quiet Tarantulas teach us patience. They can have long fasting periods, long premolt periods, long periods staying burrowed and long periods of just sitting and doing nothing.

 

[Chacoboy]

Update:
Finally, 4 months later, it seems it's finally about to molt. It's only eaten about 4 times, but has been in this same spot, same position for about two whole days now. I have to admit, I did nudge it a tiny bit at first, before I figured it may be in premolt, and I'm worried I may have hurt it I'm just curious to know, how long have your Ts lasted without moving before finally molting? I understand the process itself takes about a few hours usually, and I definitely know not to even think about touching it during that under any circumstances.

 

[Nunua]

You have gotten good advice and I'm happy to see that you have followed them.

Pretty much every active member have seen me saying this, but it's the easiest way to make new people with their slings to feel a bit easier for them not eating or molting

So here's my Brachypelma auratum sling. It had a molt cycle of 72 days during which it refused from food for 57 days. It's doing all fine and being an active little kid.

What comes to your tarantula not moving, just let it be and make sure it has fresh water all the time - Also, a gentle nudge shouldn't have hurt it so no worry about that. Two of my slings (Brachypelma albopilosum and Brachypelma albiceps) are true petrocks when in premolt. Yet it's good to remember that you have chosen to own Grammostola spp. they are known to be pet rocks who often do nothing but sit still, except when they're hungry

 

[Rs50matt]

Just to add to what @Nunua said. Grammostola are known as pet rocks but once they get abit of size I noticed G Pulchripes to be quite curious and active. Every time I opened the enclosure to feed or change the water this lil dude used to come say hi

 

[Chacoboy]

Haha thanks for the advice guys, it definitely made me feel better about nudging it early on. I guess it's good that it became a rock right beside the water source I have for it, just in case it gets thirsty. Mine actually always used to wander around until just two days ago, so I'm hoping it continues to do so when it grows a little older
I'm very excited to see it finally molt, and 72 is a crazy amount of time!

 

[Rahhh1983]

I put a little hide in it, underneath some of the substrate, and some moss. It still always stays out in the open :/ It also didn't eat the mealworm, but I'm leaving a dead pinhead cricket tonight. Do you think I should be worried at all, or is this also just normal premolt behavior?

Dont worry. I'm sure we all had these concerns at first. Heck sometimes I still get concerned regarding their eating habits.

Still learning about Chacos (had my sling about 9 months), but mine ate immediately after arrival, stayed above ground for a couple of months, went below ground for a few months, then surfaced and hung out on the top of the new enclosure when re-housed. Now has been underground for about two months, and doesn't appear to be coming up overnight for food that is left. So, they seem to go through their cycles, though it is natural to worry about slings more (dehydration risk, etc.). I would like to hear from others as to whether they experience any seasonality to these cycles. This is my sling's first winter with me, its room more than 10 degrees cooler than in the summer, and in the wild arachnids (as with their insect prey) naturally slow their metabolism down as temperatures drop.

Pretty much explains my slings behavior. Stayed above ground and fed regularly. Went below ground for 3 months now. I took a peek to make sure the lil guy was ok because its been quite some time. Now deep down, I knew he was ok, just laying low, doing whatever they do in their burrows. I had to check though! Sure enough, he or she is doing wonderful. All i do is keep the water full and leave a red runner in overnight to see if it eats.

 

[Greg]

Hello everyone.
New owner here. I have just received my Chaco Golden Knee last week Friday. I believe since I've gotten it, it's been in premolt, but I'm not too sure. It hasn't eaten once since I've gotten it, and spends some time trying to climb out of the enclosure and sometimes just hanging around by the edges. It doesn't do that as often as when I first got it, but I still catch it doing so every now and then. It moves away any time I try to feed it, whenever the food touches it(I've tried pinheads and small mealworms), and sometimes curls into itself a little bit as if hiding. It rarely moves as far as I see.

The temperature is fine, and I do mist one side a bit(should I leave a little water dish? I thought it was too small for one so I chose not to). It isn't near any natural light, and although I don't have pictures of it (I forgot to take before I left the house today) , there are a few holes in the sides of the setup as well as plenty on the top.

I just want to know, do you guys think my T is in premolt? I know they don't eat and I've read plenty about the signs, and I do see the behavioral signs, but not so much the physical ones, like the abdomen. I know it should plump when it's about to premolt, but it's looked like that since I've gotten it, which is why I'm wondering if that IS plumped, or just regular.

If there are any more pictures you guys may need just let me know and I'll gladly take some more.
Thank you guys in advance for your responses.

My G. pulcripes sling stays motionless, kind of bunched up, almost all the time. Had no interest in its hide, and buried it right away. It also likes to press itself on the side of the cup. I sometimes give it a little nudge with a soft brush, and it slowly stretches out and moves a bit. Very different from my other slings that are very quick-reacting with every motion. It also just seems to eat only overnight, which is normal. so I've seldom seen it eat. I don't worry about it's lack of presenting behavior. Yours is probably ok too.

 

[RonC]

Mine was about 1.25 inches when I got it. Pic in my profile is mine when I got it. Stayed in it's hide/burrow till it reached about 2 inches. Constantly roaming the enclosure and climbing the sides now. Doesn't run to it's hide now when I feed it either.

 

[Chacoboy]

Oh no, new update:
His/her abdomen looks deflated! Is it dehydration?? How do I make it drink if it won't move from premolt?? I don't want my little buddy to die

 

[Rs50matt]

Only thing I could suggest if it hasn't moved is to dampen the sub underneath it.

 

[Chacoboy]

Only thing I could suggest if it hasn't moved is to dampen the sub underneath it.

I did that the other day, and it's dried up since then. I just did it again after finding it, but looked into it a bit more, and found that dehydration often comes with their limbs being uncoordinated? That a "deflated looking" abdomen could be a sign of molting still (since it hasn't moved in about a week, but only today was the abdomen looking like this)
Are there other ways to see if it's molt vs dehydration?

 

[Rs50matt]

I couldn't say for sure tbh. Hopefully someone with more experience will see this soon to give u a more definite answer

 

[ilovebrachys]

The only thing I can suggest is moving the water dish just under the edge of his fangs so he can drink straight from the dish?

 

[Chacoboy]

The only thing I can suggest is moving the water dish just under the edge of his fangs so he can drink straight from the dish?

I'll try that, hopefully I won't disturb it too much

 

[ilovebrachys]

I'll try that, hopefully I won't disturb it too much

do let us know what happens? best of luck

 

[MassExodus]

If the abdomen is wrinkled, its dying. It may be too late. The pics of it in this thread have never looked good. Sorry

 

[Chacoboy]

If the abdomen is wrinkled, its dying. It may be too late. The pics of it in this thread have never looked good. Sorry

Well, it hasn't been curling up at all, just not moving. You think it's not possible it can just be premolt?

 

[Tnoob]

Try changing the food type, or make it into bits. I had a bit of an issue with my H Mac until I learned what burrow entrance to leave the prey at. If that really makes a difference. It also didn't want Dubia either. It likes meal worms so I warm them a little and squish their heads before sending them to the here after.

 

[Tnoob]

I've also noticed slings being food shy. Like they won't eat if I'm watching.