Grammostola pulchra Questions

[Sbirtell1]

Hey there!!!

I just wanted to know if Lilith is a healthy size? By her size I was told she’s already a couple years old. She gets fed 4 crickets every 1.5-2 weeks, & I just picked up some Dubia roaches to try feeding her to have a variety. I give her fresh spring water or filtered water daily.

Also, the patch on her abdomen keeps appearing. Is it dirt from the coco fiber bedding? When she molts it goes away, but a day or 2 later it comes back! Or is it something I’m doing wrong? Thanks in advance!

 

[WolfSpider]

Perfect size to your baby. Abdomen is ideal. Try packing the substrate down a bit more to take the dirt off its bum. Pulchras like to dig--thus the debris.

 

[octanejunkie]

Looks fine to me, too
The spot could be dirt or it may have kicked hairs and it's a half patch..I'd the later, it will grow back.

 

[Sbirtell1]

Perfect size to your baby. Abdomen is ideal. Try packing the substrate down a bit more to take the dirt off its bum. Pulchras like to dig--thus the debris.

Thank you so much! If it’s just substrate and it’s not hurting her I’ll try my best to pack it down. She’s either always hiding, or doing acrobats on the screen lid! Ty sm I appreciate all your help.

 

[Phobik1]

Looks quite healthy. Your feeding routine is doing her just fine. Her size suggests she may be closer to 3 years or more. They can be some pretty slow growers as slings. I have 2. They both like to move dirt around just for the sake of it.

 

[Jeef]

I give my G. pulchra 2 crickets a week and an occasional dubia roach to mix it up a bit.

Thing is, mine is a hog and will eat as much as you give her. We joke that she plays "chubby bunny" because she will stuff as many crickets into her mouth as she can get ahold of. I didn't think she could do four. She proved me wrong. She isn't very big either.

 

[Sbirtell1]

Looks quite healthy. Your feeding routine is doing her just fine. Her size suggests she may be closer to 3 years or more. They can be some pretty slow growers as slings. I have 2. They both like to move dirt around just for the sake of it.

I’ll just say she’s 3 then if anyone asks! Her birthday will be when I got her, so I’ll say she’s 4 later this year. Lol… and I’m glad it’s just dirt and not something I’m doing wrong. Thank you again!!!

 

[Sbirtell1]

I give my G. pulchra 2 crickets a week and an occasional dubia roach to mix it up a bit.

Thing is, mine is a hog and will eat as much as you give her. We joke that she plays "chubby bunny" because she will stuff as many crickets into her mouth as she can get ahold of. I didn't think she could do four. She proved me wrong. She isn't very big either.

I heard these babies are easy to gain weight, and be over weight. I saw one T with an abdomen rupture from over feeding and I wanted to cry! It Looked horrible. So I just want to keep her lean. Im sure they can eat more but im not going to have her prove me right! Lol

 

[Sbirtell1]

Looks fine to me, too
The spot could be dirt or it may have kicked hairs and it's a half patch..I'd the later, it will grow back.

Thank you….What is kicked hairs?

 

[pongdict]

New world tarantulas have urticating hairs. They kick those urticating hairs in their abdomen as a way to defend themselves and ward of potential predators.

 

[Sbirtell1]

New world tarantulas have urticating hairs. They kick those urticating hairs in their abdomen as a way to defend themselves and ward of potential predators.

Oh ok! Ive only held her a few times, but when I do the hair looks like that! I always feed her first, wait a day and then hold her for like 3 minutes. Again, I’ve only held her a few times since I got her. She’s usually real chill and doesn’t move much. Do they do this with crickets or prey?

 

[Oursapoil]

Mine says: “Thank you all for the bullying and fat shaming “

 

[Sbirtell1]

Mine says: “Thank you all for the bullying and fat shaming “
View attachment 63363

Aweee I love the big bootayyyyyyys!!!

 

[Arachnoclown]

 

[DustyD]

There are seven types of urticating setae, and G. pulchra ( the Grammostola genus) have type IV, which are primarily effective against mammals. As well as flinging them, some tarantula species can line webbing with them as additional protective measure.

This picture only includes six of the types.

 

[Sbirtell1]

There are seven types of urticating setae, and G. pulchra ( the Grammostola genus) have type IV, which are primarily effective against mammals. As well as flinging them, some tarantula species can line webbing with them as additional protective measure.

View attachment 63369
This picture only includes six of the types.

Thank you that’s very helpful! I posted a close up pic of her butt… is it dirt then or no?

 

[octanejunkie]

Thank you that’s very helpful! I posted a close up pic of her butt… is it dirt then or no?

Can't tell, but even if it's not it will clean up with the next molt

 

[Sbirtell1]

Can't tell, but even if it's not it will clean up with the next molt

Thank you so much!

 

[DustyD]

Yeah it kind of looks more like debris, as it doesn't look smooth as I might expect, although I have never examined a T butt up close. What looks smooth could be more rugged. Sort of like when you look at substrate. It looks smooth and mostly uniform from a distance, but close up there are tiny twigs, pebbles, debris. Sorry I can't be of better help.

 

[Sbirtell1]

Yeah it kind of looks more like debris, as it doesn't look smooth as I might expect, although I have never examined a T butt up close. What looks smooth could be more rugged. Sort of like when you look at substrate. It looks smooth and mostly uniform from a distance, but close up there are tiny twigs, pebbles, debris. Sorry I can't be of better help.

View attachment 63383

No Dusty! That’s a lot of help. I appreciate it!!!