New T Behavior

[MassExodus]

She's fine. Most likely going to molt I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but I've observed many of my own tarantulas have molted either right after shipping or right after a rehouse. I don't know if stress brings it on, or it's coincidence, or what, but it has happened enough for me to notice the oddity. Or maybe when you have thirty tarantulas it's bound to happen, who knows. I DO know that what you're seeing is definitely normal behavior, so she's probably fine I know it's easy to stress on these things, especially when you're new to the hobby, but just let her be, check on her, make sure she has water, and see what develops..it's all you can do brother..once she either molts or eats, you'll feel better In answer to your question, no, burrowers do that all the time, not just when molting, but most tarantulas, terrestrial or obligate burrower or arboreal, will close up the holes sometimes before molting. Some will do it right out in the open, like my big terrestrials do. Sometimes my arboreals hide, sometimes they do it on a web mat on top of their foliage. It's very normal behavior for a tarantula to block it's burrow, that's all I can say for certain Welcome to the hobby

 

[Zeirath]

Haha thanks, I'm sure once I start knowing the signs and normal behaviors of these T's I'll stress a lot less, my little T Azkwin molted within 3 days of me receiving her but I figure she's tiny they molt fairly often, but it makes sense if they haven't molted in a while the stress of being posted or rehoused might trigger it. Will let you know if there's any changes! Would be nice to know exactly what species she is but the store never replied to my email when I asked after I bought her, so my guess is they likely don't know either...heh

 

[MassExodus]

Haha thanks, I'm sure once I start knowing the signs and normal behaviors of these T's I'll stress a lot less, my little T Azkwin molted within 3 days of me receiving her but I figure she's tiny they molt fairly often, but it makes sense if they haven't molted in a while the stress of being posted or rehoused might trigger it. Will let you know if there's any changes! Would be nice to know exactly what species she is but the store never replied to my email when I asked after I bought her, so my guess is they likely don't know either...heh

That wouldn't surprise me. I'll be looking into them soon and comparing your pics, just because you have me curious about Aussie tarantulas now. To be honest I read several medical reports about your native species venom effect on household pets like dogs, and it shocked me because they have a 100% mortality rate on reported cases of envenomation, even in large breeds of dogs. that's insane...only in Oz...lmao, you guys have some decidedly dangerous animals, across the board, not just spiders...anyway, I have three dogs, so I immediately wrote off getting an Aussie whistling spider, because of those reports. Later I went further and started looking into it more, and it turns out it may be a very bad thing for even some of my new world tarantulas to bite one of my dogs. This gave me pause, and I considered leaving the hobby and selling my tarantulas off. I couldn't do that, in the end. I'm just very careful about my dogs being present when dealing with an open tarantula enclosure. Old worlds are all transferred in the bathtub, where I have maximum control. I dream of a white room set aside for such things... I've never had an escape, except once, an A avic, and I caught her immediately. I just hope if it ever happens, the dog kills the spider or alerts me to it, which is what is most likely to happen. Jesus I go off on tangents..anyways good luck man, and don't ever stop researching your questions, it's more important than anything but hands on experience in this hobby.

 

[Zeirath]

Haha don't worry about walls of text I enjoy reading your experiences, yeah I was a bit iffy when I read about the venom being so bad for pets because I have a Ragdoll cat and he is my baby I'd be devastated if something happened to him, so atm I have all my T's in plastic containers with snaplock lids, so if he does manage to knock the containers over worst that could happen is my T gets squashed by the substrate or something, but last time I emptied the substrate out of one of my containers(Had a mite problem because the crickets I bought were contaminated) I had to use a knife to loosen it to get it out because I had packed it down too tight lol! So fingers crossed if something like that happens neither of them are harmed.

While the Aussie T's seem cool, I'm sure not being able to have exotics will make me sad in future hehe, as I've said before those blue versicolor things look awesome and I'd love one! Maybe I'll have to consider moving countries if my addiction to these fuzzy eight legged freaks gets too out of control =p

Oh the funny thing is, my T's will run away from crickets if they aren't hungry, I've had crickets chase Azkwin and Lexa(my Pholgius) out of their burrows! Not so big and badass and scary like most people think they are. Oh what food is best for T's? I've seen a lot of people say you shouldn't feed crickets to them, any reason why? Other than the risk of the crickets making noms of the spider, especially while they're molting.

 

[MassExodus]

Haha don't worry about walls of text I enjoy reading your experiences, yeah I was a bit iffy when I read about the venom being so bad for pets because I have a Ragdoll cat and he is my baby I'd be devastated if something happened to him, so atm I have all my T's in plastic containers with snaplock lids, so if he does manage to knock the containers over worst that could happen is my T gets squashed by the substrate or something, but last time I emptied the substrate out of one of my containers(Had a mite problem because the crickets I bought were contaminated) I had to use a knife to loosen it to get it out because I had packed it down too tight lol! So fingers crossed if something like that happens neither of them are harmed.

While the Aussie T's seem cool, I'm sure not being able to have exotics will make me sad in future hehe, as I've said before those blue versicolor things look awesome and I'd love one! Maybe I'll have to consider moving countries if my addiction to these fuzzy eight legged freaks gets too out of control =p

Oh the funny thing is, my T's will run away from crickets if they aren't hungry, I've had crickets chase Azkwin and Lexa(my Pholgius) out of their burrows! Not so big and badass and scary like most people think they are. Oh what food is best for T's? I've seen a lot of people say you shouldn't feed crickets to them, any reason why? Other than the risk of the crickets making noms of the spider, especially while they're molting.

I've read a lot of posts about spiders getting bacterial and fungal infections from crickets(suspected from crickets) Also nematodes..which are a death sentence to the spider and also to the rest of your tarantulas if you don't immediately isolate the infected. I'd dispose of a spider with nematodes immediately, and sanitize and isolate every spider/enclosure I own. My own distaste is from experience...they die too often when kept, and they stink and seem to be much filthier than cockroaches, too me. Florid flies are drawn to them...well, like flies..and florid flies are suspected of carrying all of the things I mentioned and infecting the crickets, which kills our spiders. Most keepers would disagree, as crickets are the main staple in the hobby..but I find roaches to be easily kept and bred, they don't die very often at all, they don't eat tarantulas that are molting, and none of the posts I've read about sick tarantulas have ever pointed a finger at them...crickets, however, are blamed on a continuous basis. Sometimes, where there's smoke, there's fire, and in this hobby, most of our hard data comes from shared experiences, by keepers...contrary to some peoples opinions of themselves, there are no "experts" in this hobby. All of this is just my own opinion, from research and experience. I cut them out of my spiders diets completely. I think I'll only benefit from this.

 

[Zeirath]

I never had mite problems with crickets when I had my lizard a few years ago, I bought a pack of crickets with my baby T from the city and they ended up mite infested, they were only little tiny white things, which turned out to be like herbivorous mites, they annoyed my spider and made her try to climb the walls of her enclosure but didn't hurt her, I changed and cleaned the cage right away and got rid of the crickets. I think my Aunt would throw a hissyfit if I kept cockroaches tbh, as it is she is only tolerating my spiders cos they are in my room and out of sight haha.

I was thinking about trying mealworms or whatever worms people are using but apparently they burrow? and can do as much damage to the T as crickets can, seems so much conflicting information out there.

 

[MassExodus]

I never had mite problems with crickets when I had my lizard a few years ago, I bought a pack of crickets with my baby T from the city and they ended up mite infested, they were only little tiny white things, which turned out to be like herbivorous mites, they annoyed my spider and made her try to climb the walls of her enclosure but didn't hurt her, I changed and cleaned the cage right away and got rid of the crickets. I think my Aunt would throw a hissyfit if I kept cockroaches tbh, as it is she is only tolerating my spiders cos they are in my room and out of sight haha.

I was thinking about trying mealworms or whatever worms people are using but apparently they burrow? and can do as much damage to the T as crickets can, seems so much conflicting information out there.

I haven't found any information saying the superworms will eat molting spiders, and I've been feeding them to mine for three years now. they burrow as soon as they hit the soil, and don't come to the surface at all after that..so maybe, MAYBE, they could be a danger to burrowers, but I really don't believe that. I'm not sure where that information is coming from but in my experience, it doesn't happen. I cut worms in half for slings, crush the hind legs for sling/juvie size, and feed the full size worms to med- large juvies/adults. I've never had a problem. The worms that burrow turn into beetles, beetles that spiders won't or can't consume, darkling beetles that I kill when they emerge from the soil. I have often thought that they would kill or maim a molting tarantula, and while it hasn't happened to me, I believe it's highly likely that it could easily happen. I still feed worms though. Spiders generally do a great job of defending themselves from inferior threats like this. Just like most spiders don't fall and mortally wound themselves in their enclosures, yet we take precautions as keepers because we worry about any dangers, so I don't blame people who take precautions.

 

[Chubbs]

I haven't found any information saying the superworms will eat molting spiders, and I've been feeding them to mine for three years now. they burrow as soon as they hit the soil, and don't come to the surface at all after that..so maybe, MAYBE, they could be a danger to burrowers, but I really don't believe that. I'm not sure where that information is coming from but in my experience, it doesn't happen. I cut worms in half for slings, crush the hind legs for sling/juvie size, and feed the full size worms to med- large juvies/adults. I've never had a problem. The worms that burrow turn into beetles, beetles that spiders won't or can't consume, darkling beetles that I kill when they emerge from the soil. I have often thought that they would kill or maim a molting tarantula, and while it hasn't happened to me, I believe it's highly likely that it could easily happen. I still feed worms though. Spiders generally do a great job of defending themselves from inferior threats like this. Just like most spiders don't fall and mortally wound themselves in their enclosures, yet we take precautions as keepers because we worry about any dangers, so I don't blame people who take precautions.

I have heard of it happening to other keepers. Surely you've seen the jaws on those things? Why take the risk?

 

[MassExodus]

I have heard of it happening to other keepers. Surely you've seen the jaws on those things? Why take the risk?

Well, to be honest I try to reign in my fears a little Chubbs. I'm paranoid enough as it is.. I've never had any issues with superworms.

 

[Zeirath]

So haven't noticed any changes in the cage today, the water bowl was a little bit lower, not sure if just evaporation or she's been out to drink. How long do I leave it before I paranoid dig up her burrow to find out if she is okay, a week? a month? when the cage starts to stink lol? =p

 

[MassExodus]

So haven't noticed any changes in the cage today, the water bowl was a little bit lower, not sure if just evaporation or she's been out to drink. How long do I leave it before I paranoid dig up her burrow to find out if she is okay, a week? a month? when the cage starts to stink lol? =p

Noooo don't dig her up you gotta let her be. She's acclimatizing to the new digs or shes molting. Gotta let her come out on her own. ....unless it starts to stink...

 

[Zeirath]

Haha okay, I'll try to resist, just cos I can't see her doesn't mean I should become paranoid! Unless it does start to stink ofc. It's good at night I turn all the lights off and sit my Phlogius' cage between my bed and the computer screen across the room and sure enough within 10-15 minutes she comes out and explores.

 

[MassExodus]

Haha okay, I'll try to resist, just cos I can't see her doesn't mean I should become paranoid! Unless it does start to stink ofc. It's good at night I turn all the lights off and sit my Phlogius' cage between my bed and the computer screen across the room and sure enough within 10-15 minutes she comes out and explores.

Haha, if I can't sleep I'll wait 30 minutes or so and get my flashlight and sneak up on my regalis. She'll go back in after a few minutes but at least I see her a little.

 

[Zeirath]

So this morning we have movement, I was so excited to see her, only to..find her faceplanted against the corner of the container again, I don't know how to make this T happy, she has exited the burrow and caved it in so clearly she didn't like that much. Only thing I can think of is maybe wait till payday in two days and try a completely different substrate.

 

[MassExodus]

That's a very dark abdomen..she looks to be in pre molt. Give her some time Z, you can't be impatient with spiders...they don't care about our worries or fears. Maybe try feeding her again tonight, if she refuses, just take the prey out and let her be a spider See what she does.

 

[Zeirath]

I suppose I really shouldn't feel like a sucky spider mom until I lose one, then I have permission to feel sucky! haha.

 

[Zeirath]

That's spider poop right? I was away overnight visiting my parents and come back and find this thing. To me it looks like poop but up until now my spiders have been pooping on the sides of the containers not in their webs. Picture is blurry, somehow misplaced my phone while I was away and my tablet takes large but crap photos.

 

[MassExodus]

Nooo...that's a superworm...lol, j/k it looks like poop but hard to tell. I can tell you when spider poop dries it's white and has a chalky consistency. Just make sure it's not mold..is your big one eating yet?

 

[Zeirath]

Nope that's why the worm is there, spider is completely ignoring it, Little Azkwin molted while I was away found her molt webbed into the side of the entrance of her burrow when I got home, and my Phlogius is still in it's burrow which is completely sealed with web and substrate. So my pet holes are good and my big T is a lot more active, less hidey in the corner but still not burrowing.

 

[MassExodus]

Nope that's why the worm is there, spider is completely ignoring it, Little Azkwin molted while I was away found her molt webbed into the side of the entrance of her burrow when I got home, and my Phlogius is still in it's burrow which is completely sealed with web and substrate. So my pet holes are good and my big T is a lot more active, less hidey in the corner but still not burrowing.

Good Sounds like they're settling in