Need to rehouse, terrified!

[Calico]

Since Cal became a mature male a couple of weeks ago, he has been hiding in his burrow and only been out one time that I saw. Man what a change! He's huge and a little creepy looking (especially for this arachnaphobe!)

I have been keeping his water dish full like always but noticed this morning it was empty after filling yesterday. When I moved his enclosure around to take a look, it seems there may be a crack in the bowl and it is draining into the substrate. And it looks like there may be mold growing on top. UGH!!! I have been so careful, but apparently not as good as I thought.

Anyway, since he is so big I am nervous about rehousing to clean up his enclosure. What do I do??? That would be safest for me and him.

 

[Whitelightning777]

What species is it?

Generally speaking, mild cooling can make a tarantula more tractable. Lowering the temperature to 60 degrees won't harm the tarantula but can show it down making the process easier. If the newer enclosure is slightly warm, the T will most likely go straight inside without too much of a fuss.

 

[Arachnoclown]

If I remember right you have a A. Chalcodes. He may be scary looking but hes a big awkward looking baby. Most mature males are quite docile and just interested in a female. Cut a 2 liter bottle in half. Use the end with the cap as a handle and place the bottle gently over the top of him. Slide a piece of cardboard slowly under him and you will have him safely captured.

 

[PanzoN88]

Do what @Arachnoclown said and things will go smoothly.

I do the same thing except I use a deli cup and a piece of paper.

 

[Enn49]

Another alternative is to remove the wettest, mouldy substrate with a spoon and replace it with dry without disturbing him

 

[MassExodus]

Cal..I thought Cal meant S. calciatum. Its a chalcodes? Hehe, too cute.

 

[Calico]

Cal..I thought Cal meant S. calciatum. Its a chalcodes? Hehe, too cute.

Actually it's for the place he was found, Calico, which is a desert area here in California. But, yes, he is an A.Chalcodes

 

[Calico]

Success!! I can't believe I did it. I was so nervous. Took me about 1 1/2 hrs with the freaking out but once I got up the nerve it was so easy. Like @Arachnoclown said, he was just a big baby and kinda sauntered into the deli cup. I ended up putting him back into the 5 gal tank he was originally in. (Now I have a vacant enclosure that needs filling with something new ) I was able to get a measurement and he is about 5". He is now hunched down in the corner wondering what the heck happened. I know that is stressful for them and it will take him a while to get settled. So I'll just let him be and enjoy seeing him while he's out.

 

[Enn49]

@Calico Well done . I always find that the ones I panic about most end up being the easiest to rehouse.

 

[MassExodus]

@Calico Well done . I always find that the ones I panic about most end up being the easiest to rehouse.

That's the funny thing..you get an obt, who runs out and threat poses and slaps the ground..and they're easier(and funnier) to catch in a cup and rehouse. Irony, anyone?

 

[Ed Zeppelin]

Actually it's for the place he was found, Calico, which is a desert area here in California. But, yes, he is an A.Chalcodes

I've been to Calico Ghost Town in the Mojave Desert. Is that the same Calico area you're referring to?

 

[Calico]

I've been to Calico Ghost Town in the Mojave Desert. Is that the same Calico area you're referring to?

That's the one! My husband goes camping/shooting out there and Cal hitched a ride home one trip

 

[Ed Zeppelin]

That's the one! My husband goes camping/shooting out there and Cal hitched a ride home one trip

Since you're from California, do you remember Cal Worthington and his dog Spot?

 

[Calico]

Since you're from California, do you remember Cal Worthington and his dog Spot?

LOL! Yes I do!

 

[Ed Zeppelin]

LOL! Yes I do!

I grew up in the L.A. area and saw those ads all the time. They were phunny.

 

[MassExodus]

Just as an adendum to this thread, if he is a male, you're better off releasing him or loaning him to a breeder of chalcodes...if you can find one. Males dont live long once mature and will slowly deteriorate and die, wandering their enclosure looking for a way out. You should have released him when you saw he was a mm. Unless you like this kind of thing. Congrats on facing your fears though. And good luck.

 

[Calico]

Just as an adendum to this thread, if he is a male, you're better off releasing him or loaning him to a breeder of chalcodes...if you can find one. Males dont live long once mature and will slowly deteriorate and die, wandering their enclosure looking for a way out. You should have released him when you saw he was a mm. Unless you like this kind of thing. Congrats on facing your fears though. And good luck.

And where would I release him?? In my backyard? Are you saying that anyone that has a MM should just release if they can't find a breeder? I've read several posts where people have MM that have lived for a few years. @Arachnoclown is one of those, I think. I'm hoping that is the case here. He's still eating good. So, yes, I guess "I like this kind of thing". I'll enjoy him while I can.

 

[Solsurfer]

Well that would only work with your native species . He could theoretically find a female of the same species. It wouldn't work with a foreign species of course. Sadly the only purpose an mm has and the only thing he cares about is finding a female and passing on his genes.

 

[MassExodus]

And where would I release him?? In my backyard? Are you saying that anyone that has a MM should just release if they can't find a breeder? I've read several posts where people have MM that have lived for a few years. @Arachnoclown is one of those, I think. I'm hoping that is the case here. He's still eating good. So, yes, I guess "I like this kind of thing". I'll enjoy him while I can.

Suit yourself. Just letting you know, all he wants is out. That's why people who buy spiders aren't looking for males, unless they intend to breed. Females will make a home, settle in, and enjoy getting food dropped on their head regularly. Females leave their homes as little as possible. You said you got him in your home state..what's wrong with your backyard? He won't eat much, if at all. He'll try to escape any way he can. I've watched a few die this way. Its rather sad. By the way I do release mm that I can't find a female for, in my yard. Some of them are from different countries. One is still living in my backyard, hopefully trying to breed with local females, even though he can't. But he might get some fullfillment from the effort. I get none at all from watching them wander endlessly in circles and then slow down, start falling from the sides, and die. When I said "that kind of thing" I meant the endless wandering and escape attempts, not suffering..but..it is what it is. You wont find a chalcodes breeder, in my opinion. Unless it's in your state, or one of the others with chalcodes, and its a local thats practicing breeding. Very few people want slings that take so long to grow. Especially when they can get a wild caught female for $50.00., or catch one themselves. Which brings us back to why mm chalcodes should be left alone to breed in the wild..