My Mutual had to find a home for two tarantulas, female Chilean rose and male Brazilian salmon pink birdeater. I've offered to take them in due to the neglect they were getting else where. I've asked about how long they've been in the environment and how old they are, which I have no answer to. The Chilean rose looks fully grown and the LP looks tiny and slim. I'm really worried about both. The vivariums I was given are barely filled an inch of soil/ bark, they both have been barely fed or even given water. They both currently have shallow water bowls and only the LP has a hide. Im planning on purchasing better vivariums and a hide for the Chilean rose, additionally a better and much deeper soil. I've never owned a tarantula before, any tips would be helpful. I will also buy food, planning on buying locust and mealworms.
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New owner, I need some tips
- Thread starter Yevrah
- Start date
- Messages
- 6,381
- Location
- The Oregon rain forest
From the pictures you sent me you need to get them on better substrate. 4" of coco fiber or fertilizer free topsoil will be great. The tree bark usually contains toxins that repel invertebrates. Plus they need to dig or burrow...that stuff would be awful to walk around on. Keep that water available and feed weekly until they are comfortable again. Then you can feed them every other week.
Ok, you’ve got two terrestrial tarantulas, so when you go to set up the enclosures floor space is more important than height. So neither species has a reputation as a burrower, but deep substrate is definitely recommended and a hide is a must. They might dig, they might not. That’s up to them. The sub can be kept dry, just provide a water bowl, a bottle cap or condiment cup will suffice. Neither is also known to be a heavy Webber so don’t sweat anchor points too much but decor can’t hurt either. Don’t worry how old they are, you’ll never find an answer.
Fortunately, these are two species that aren’t bad for beginners, and actually rather forgiving of husbandry mistakes. Pictures would help, but this is the best blind advice I can give.
Fortunately, these are two species that aren’t bad for beginners, and actually rather forgiving of husbandry mistakes. Pictures would help, but this is the best blind advice I can give.
Thank you so much for replying. The boxes also look really dirty and I'm not sure how long they've been in there. If I were to replace the substraight, and set up their vivarium,
how would I remove them?
- Messages
- 6,381
- Location
- The Oregon rain forest
Place a deli cup over them then slide the lid with air holes underneath them. They can be in that delicup for hours until you finish.
Before approaching this task, should I make sure to were gloves , masks and something to cover my eyes to ensure I don't get any of their hairs on my skin
- Messages
- 6,381
- Location
- The Oregon rain forest
- Messages
- 6,381
- Location
- The Oregon rain forest
Sure if you have sensitive skin. I just wear disposable gloves. You definitely wanna keep your face out of the enclosure. If you water everything thing down that helps also.
I just really can't risk if they get distressed and kick off hairs. I definitely wouldn't put my face near them. Would I use a spray bottle to water everything down when I clear the old substrate ready for new substrate
