Im worried about my tarantula…

[Arachnoclown]

There is a pot behind her. Is that going to mess with her if she is molting? She’s chosen a rather tight corner to do this.

Spiders have been molting in tight places for millions of years. Shes fine.

 

[setsunadiava]

I have sufficiently freaked myself out. I have work in six hours. Imma head out - and hope for the best

 

[setsunadiava]

Spiders have been molting in tight places for millions of years. Shes fine.

I cannot begin to explain how much your voice of reason has helped me today. Truly. Thank you.

 

[Not Savsonite]

What kind of substrate are you using?

 

[Arachnoclown]

What kind of substrate are you using?

Looks to be a vermiculite blend.

 

[setsunadiava]

What kind of substrate are you using?

I honestly have no idea. It’s what the breeder sells and uses at his shop so I trust it.

 

[Egon]

My curly hair gets into weird, tight positions like that for days at a time. She’s fine.

 

[octanejunkie]

There are rarely any tarantula emergencies short of an escape.

Put the enclosure in a darker, low traffic part of the house with ambient temperatures you would be comfortable wearing a t-shirt in. Let the spider acclimate to its new home with you.

Don't freak out. Or do; it's your choice.

 

[setsunadiava]

There are rarely any tarantula emergencies short of an escape.

Put the enclosure in a darker, low traffic part of the house with ambient temperatures you would be comfortable wearing a t-shirt in. Let the spider acclimate to its new home with you.

Don't freak out. Or do; it's your choice.

I can do the darker and low traffic part, I live alone and I do have a doorway, but I do live in a Japanese apartment, wooden structures so I can hear and feel both my upstairs and next door neighbors. Could that be what’s getting to her? She was quite okay when she was in her tiny ass enclosure in my bedroom where I move about a lot and it’s very bright all the time. She’s been in small enclosures all her life till I decided to move her into a bigger space… do they have enough cognitive to get uncomfortable with such changes?

 

[setsunadiava]

My curly hair gets into weird, tight positions like that for days at a time. She’s fine.

For days at a time? Okay, I’ll keep that in mind! Thank you!

 

[DustyD]

As long as your T's needs are met she should be fine. I have only been caring for tarantulas for a year and I too worry a lot at new experiences and situations. But you will become more confident.

Rehousing brings an unfamiliar environment to the T, but once they feel safe, they will usually settle down and fix all of your hard work to their liking.

 

[setsunadiava]

As long as your T's needs are met she should be fine. I have only been caring for tarantulas for a year and I too worry a lot at new experiences and situations. But you will become more confident.

Rehousing brings an unfamiliar environment to the T, but once they feel safe, they will usually settle down and fix all of your hard work to their liking.

She’s welcome to do anything and everything to her enclosure as long as she’s happy… as long as she doesn’t take to actively chucking poo at me when I try to feed her. I hope I’m correct in assuming they can’t physically do that

 

[ta122]

She’s welcome to do anything and everything to her enclosure as long as she’s happy… as long as she doesn’t take to actively chucking poo at me when I try to feed her. I hope I’m correct in assuming they can’t physically do that

I know that some species of Avicularia spray poo in defense. There may be others that do, as well. Your tarantula is in that small space because she is hiding... at least she thinks so. They wind up in all kinds of awkward positions while doing so. If you find her lying on her back, she's not dead - she's molting, and you should avoid disturbing her during and after this time while her exoskeleton is hardening. I thought I should save you some later worry.

 

[setsunadiava]

I know that some species of Avicularia spray poo in defense. There may be others that do, as well. Your tarantula is in that small space because she is hiding... at least she thinks so. They wind up in all kinds of awkward positions while doing so. If you find her lying on her back, she's not dead - she's molting, and you should avoid disturbing her during and after this time while her exoskeleton is hardening. I thought I should save you some later worry.

Thank you for saving me the preemptive panic

 

[setsunadiava]

Update: Pukkuli looks like she’s doing much better. I did what you beautiful people suggested and she seems better? Thank you for all the advice and support.

 

[octanejunkie]

Good stuff. Make sure it has a water dish at all times and let it get settled

 

[setsunadiava]

Good stuff. Make sure it has a water dish at all times and let it get settled

I think my little genius managed to trap herself behind the pot now. I dropped in a cricket to see if she wanted it, she wanted it but couldn’t figure out a way to get around the pot to get to it. I dropped it to her and she immediately pounced and did this little spinny dance and is now eating upside down. And I’m confused but very happy too.

 

[setsunadiava]

I think my little genius managed to trap herself behind the pot now. I dropped in a cricket to see if she wanted it, she wanted it but couldn’t figure out a way to get around the pot to get to it. I dropped it to her and she immediately pounced and did this little spinny dance and is now eating upside down. And I’m confused but very happy too.

 

[setsunadiava]

Now I will continue to tip toe around her and leave her be for a while. She’s fed and has plenty of water. As long as she actually hasn’t gotten herself trapped. Even though there is a giant gap between the pot and fake flowers

 

[octanejunkie]

You're funny. It's not trapped, it has 8 very capable legs, it's the best rock crawler nature made that can climb glass. You needn't worry and remember, millions of years of evolution.