Subtrate Dilemma for G. Pulchripes

[jujubees]

So I have a G. Pulchripes that seems to dislike every substrate I've tried. Before she outgrew her original cage I was using coco coir and it seemed to love it, but after I rehoused her she didnt take to it. Over the past two and a half months I've tried coconut coir, vermiculite, coco coir/vermiculite, coco husk, and horitcultural soil. She doesn't seem to like any of it. Always pacing the sides of the cage and the top as well. She doesn't even use the hide I've provided. I know Ts need a couple weeks to fully adjust to a new cage and I allowed the time for that but she never settles in. I was not fond of changing it so many times but I like happy Ts and not stressed ones. I don't plan on changing it again until I hear from you guys. The substrates I've used were all squeezed of excess water so none were too damp and humididty has always been in the 50-60 range. Any suggestions would be awesome

 

[Denny Dee]

Have you sexed your T? May be a mature male out looking for love? If so, not much you can do other then find him a friend. I did however have a similar experience with my female T blondi. Moved her to a bigger enclosure. She wandered aimlessly for days. I actually thought I may lose her from the stress. She finally moved in to the new enclosure and did not come out for weeks. After she refused food, I figured she was on her death knell or was going in to a molt. I am happy to say that she molted. She is now doing great but I needed to bump up the humidity as I use automatic misters, manually mist and add water to the soil weekly. She needed more humidity. Since the molt and the humidity increase, she is now happy and coming out of her enclosure nightly again. . So, I would try adjusting the humidity upwards slightly until you rule that out.

 

[HungryGhost]

I would stick with the coco coir. Sometimes when you put them on fresh substrate they can take several weeks to settle down again. I buy coco loose in a bag so it's dry when I put it in. Once she starts webbing it up a bit she should settle down. I had the same issue with my Chaco and I know how nerve wracking it is to the owner but she will adjust. Good luck.

 

[jujubees]

Have you sexed your T? May be a mature male out looking for love? If so, not much you can do other then find him a friend. I did however have a similar experience with my female T blondi. Moved her to a bigger enclosure. She wandered aimlessly for days. I actually thought I may lose her from the stress. She finally moved in to the new enclosure and did not come out for weeks. After she refused food, I figured she was on her death knell or was going in to a molt. I am happy to say that she molted. She is now doing great but I needed to bump up the humidity as I use automatic misters, manually mist and add water to the soil weekly. She needed more humidity. Since the molt and the humidity increase, she is now happy and coming out of her enclosure nightly again. . So, I would try adjusting the humidity upwards slightly until you rule that out.

She has been sexed and is female. Shes also not full grown, only about 3 in. Thanks for the tips guys. I'll def keep those in mind

 

[Sabeth]

Make sure the sub isn't wet. At 3 inches, the T doesn't need damp sub. Once they're past 2 inches they're ready to go dry.

 

[Denny Dee]

Good luck jujubes. Let us know how it all turns out.

 

[Tgirl1010]

I would stick with cocofiber and give her time. My G pulchripes will stay on the wall of her enclosure for a week or maybe two after rehousing, and the substrate is bone dry (dried in the oven). Some of them take longer to settle in than others.

 

[jujubees]

Make sure the sub isn't wet. At 3 inches, the T doesn't need damp sub. Once they're past 2 inches they're ready to go dry.

Alrighty. Ill work on getting that sub dry. Thanks again folks Ill keep yall posted on her status

 

[tarantulaworld]

I would try to mix coconut fiber with something else but that should be fine. Maybe your T is more stressed out with its new environment then the actual substrate. Do make sure your substrate is damp to dry.

 

[Denny Dee]

I would try to mix coconut fiber with something else but that should be fine. Maybe your T is more stressed out with its new environment then the actual substrate. Do make sure your substrate is damp to dry.

I would recommend vermiculite (smaller grain). Works great for my T's.

 

[jujubees]

Alrighty, I've mixed dry coco coir with a little bit of damp vermiculite this time with abt 3 in of sub yesterday. I think we should be in business folks she already seems to have taken to the new setting. She's actually using her hide now. Thanks for the input guys!

 

[Tongue Flicker]

I have my G.pulchripes in a finely crushed marble substrate with a huge water dish. I'm in a warm, humid country so regulating conditions is an easy breezy. Never had issues with mine and i love playing with invert substrates without compromising its humidity/temp requirements