VERY NEW T. Vagan mom

[Nurse Ratchet]

Hi all. Super new T mom. Just picked up my 1st T. on Thursday. She/he is a juvenile T. Vagan just slightly over 2 inches. The thought of a teeny sling was intimidating, maybe one day. Anyway, Princess Phobie, yes, that's her name, devoured 3 medium crickets that night. I worked 3 night shifts and happily stared at her (hoping she's a female) before and after work. She has been somewhere different every time and active. We're both nocturnal. This morning I got home and she's MIA in a closed, locked enclosure. I can see she has dug a divot in a corner, but no opening. Would she totally bury herself? She wasn't plump or shiney or dark. She had a very small bald spot when picked her up from the breeder and did kick some hairs for a few seconds when transferring her, but did not appear to be in pre-molt. Don't worry, I'm not going to bother her even though I can see NO sign of her.
Questions:
Should I be concerned?
As she did not appear in pre-molt, should I attempt to feed by placing cricket in enclosure for an hour or so and remove if she does not appear?
Months of research and I feel like I know nothing!

 

[NorseDad]

Congratulations on the T. vagans. I LOVE this species. Mine is so feisty for a "beginner species". Always hungry, always active.

You baby may not be in pre molt. They do like to burrow. Mine has become a bit more confident as she's gone from .5" to 2.5" though. She may be burrowing for comfort while she establishes herself in her new home. It is also possible that she has gone into premolt after having that nice large meal you gave her.

What I might do is crush the cricket head and place it in. If she does not scavenge it in 24 hours, pull it out and wait a week. If she's burrowed and/or buries herself, trust that she knows what she's doing.

Enjoy your new baby!

 

[Nurse Ratchet]

Congratulations on the T. vagans. I LOVE this species. Mine is so feisty for a "beginner species". Always hungry, always active.

You baby may not be in pre molt. They do like to burrow. Mine has become a bit more confident as she's gone from .5" to 2.5" though. She may be burrowing for comfort while she establishes herself in her new home. It is also possible that she has gone into premolt after having that nice large meal you gave her.

What I might do is crush the cricket head and place it in. If she does not scavenge it in 24 hours, pull it out and wait a week. If she's burrowed and/or buries herself, trust that she knows what she's doing.

Enjoy your new baby!

Thank you do much for the advice. I will try that out tonight.

 

[octanejunkie]

Any update here? Has your vagans resurfaced?

 

[Nurse Ratchet]

Any update here? Has your vagans resurfaced?

Hi! So she resurfaced 11 hours later. I gave her a small/med cricket which she enthusiastically devoured. Next evening I woke to find her barricaded in her bedroom (aka cork round) with self constructed dirt door blocking the entrance. I'm guessing pre-molt, or maybe she's not a fan of winter, or she's just an introvert expressing her displeasure at me staring at her morning and night. That was 11/10. Door is still locked. So be it. I'm trying to stay chill and just keep changing the water. My mantra: "Stay calm. The tarantula knows best."
Thanks for asking

 

[Nurse Ratchet]