Defensive Chilean Rose

sammyc

Arachnopeon
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Jul 13, 2017
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Hi all.
New to T keeping and I have read a little on this behaviour. I have a sub adult male CR. Fascinating creature. My son actually got me into the hobby. He lovingly but unknowingly raised a Mexican pink for 2 years from a sling and when he moved to a colder climate, we think she passed from a little to cold than he could provide. He was devistated. Anyways, I managed to get this chap with a exo terra enclosure for the equivalent of your 20usd which is a good deal. I went and got a 9w heat pad and all the essential substrate material and goodies. He was only fed once every 2 weeks. Everything I have read says 2-3 times a week. Well I got a good stock of crickets and this guy guzzled 5 in 3 days straight. Today was the first of 4 days in a row where he didn't attack the cricket with lust and speed. So I took them out. My question is similar to a post I have read here. Are these Ts generally docile and calm with the odd exception. This boy most certainly does not like anything in his space. He will attack the paint brush without kicking a single hair or even a display. If I nudge the cricket towards him, he will launch at the brush and attack. Fortunately most of the times I've needed to use a brush to move the cricket, it hasn't come to close and he has pounced on the cricket in a nano second. That is the highlight of my day after work. He is by no means slow. Then I let him be to enjoy the meal. I say he attacks the brush cos I used it to remove some left over bits and even on 1 occasion, he came bolting out his inverted coconut and bit my brush. So much for a slow and docile CR tarantula. Not this guy and I don't mind. He is certainly not boring. Another question is, would you guys consider this behaviour as hungry or just an acception or perhaps both? I am certainly not interested in putting my hand into the enclosure to handle this chap. For 2 reasons, he seems a bit like old old world and I firmly believe in these animals enjoyed for display. There however may come a day when the enclosure needs an overhaul or it may also be cool to very briefly handle the animal for educating and showing people and kids that they are not "vicious man eating beasts". At this stage I would be way to nervous to try and risk hurting the boy if he had to bite. This CR male seems to be the opposite of what 99% of the sites say. Perhaps I'm lucky to have a fast and very active CR.
 

sammyc

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Jul 13, 2017
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Forgot to mention that since he has eaten really well over the past 3 days,his rump has filled out and he seems very happy and content and just as fast and furious which is not a bad thing.
 

nicodimus22

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Grammostolas in general are known to be moody. They'll be fine one minute, and defensive the next.

G. rosea and G. porteri have a special term that is used for the more defensive specimens (Psycho Rosie.) Some specimens are just not docile in the least. Individual temperaments vary.

You do not need any kind of heating pad or heat lamp for tarantulas. If you're comfortable, they're comfortable.

It also sounds like you are massively overfeeding him. These are desert species that can go a very long time because of their extremely slow metabolism. Feeding it one cricket every two weeks is a good guideline. If you feed it more often, what will happen is that it will stop eating for months (or even a year or two in some cases) because it is full and not hungry.
 
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sammyc

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Jul 13, 2017
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Thanks for your reply. This is a psycho Rosie for sure. We are in Durban South Africa and its winter. Dips down to 12degC here in the evening's so I thought I would get a heat pad to try keep the enclosure around 22-30degC until summer when it's 25-32degC regularly in Durban. My son lost his Mexican pink cos he is in Nottingham road which is below freezing now outside. I think the temp inside his room was much warmer but still way under 12degC which was fatal. We won't make that mistake again and a sore loss.
 

EulersK

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Lesson time :D

Firstly, common names are a confusing mess. For instance, "mexican red knee" could refer to half a dozen different species. Try and get into the habit of using their proper name. You have either a G. porteri or a G. rosea, as they share the same common name.

Now on to feeding. What you read about one meal every two weeks is correct. Many people (like myself) feed even less than that. These are amazing creatures in the sense that their metabolism is on par with a zombie. A fat G. rosea can and will go over a year without food. In fact, that's a very common complaint in this hobby from new keepers. They overfeed their spider thinking that it's starving, then the spider goes into a fast lasting a year or more. It doesn't hurt the spider at all, it just makes keeping them less enjoyable. My girl just finished her fast of 14 months, taking her first meal a few weeks ago. So yes, I'd suggest going down to one large cricket every two weeks. Your goal should be that the abdomen is slightly larger than the carapace ("head").

Your setup sounds bad, and it's a good thing that you posted here. Ditch the heat mat, they roast tarantulas. This species in particular is fairly sturdy, so you don't need to worry too much about heat. If the ambient temperature in the room is above 18C, then don't worry about it. If you must provide heat, don't use a lamp or heat mat. Use indirect heat in the form of a space heater, but do not point it at the enclosure. Basically, you'll need to heat the whole room. Here is a video on how to set up a proper enclosure for this spider. Pay special attention to the bit about floor space and fall height (falls are bad). The short of it is this: no more than 2x legspan in height, nothing more than a hide and water dish are needed, no heat mats, no humidity, no screen tops.

Concerning the apparent mood swings your tarantula is having, remember that these are wild animals. In fact, your spider is almost certainly wild caught - this species takes no less than five years to reach maturity, and usually longer. Being wild animals, they are unpredictable. I could go on about how my most docile specimens have tried to bite me, but you get the idea. Never get complacent, and have a catch cup next to the enclosure at all times. The worst time to look for a catch cup is while your spider is scurrying across the floor!

Finally, is the tarantula in your avatar the spider in question? If so, it looks like it may be a mature male. Hard to tell. Could you post a picture of the pedipalps (the two tiny "feet" right next to the fangs)? If it's a mature male, then everything above applies, only don't expect to have the spider for very long. Mature males have a shelf life of two years max, with around one year being the average. They will roam incessantly looking for a mate, and will deny food to the point of starvation. Ensure that you have a full, clean water dish at all times. They seem to drink more than their female counterparts.
 
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Venom1080

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Don't let the mat touch the cage if you have to use it. Keep it like 6" off. And on the side. Be careful to make sure there's water when using one too.
 

sammyc

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Jul 13, 2017
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I guess he is a g.rosea. I drops down to way under 12degc here that's why I got the pad. Thanks for the tip on feeding. It said 9w (20-30degc). The substrate is an inch thick. I will try upload some photos. I don't think he is fully mature. Still on the small side compared to what I have seen.
 

EulersK

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I guess he is a g.rosea. I drops down to way under 12degc here that's why I got the pad. Thanks for the tip on feeding. It said 9w (20-30degc). The substrate is an inch thick. I will try upload some photos. I don't think he is fully mature. Still on the small side compared to what I have seen.
It drops to 12C in your house? Or just outside? What's going on outside is inconsequential, what matters is the ambient temperature in that room. The issue with heat mats is that when they are insulated (such as being put on the bottom of a tank under substrate), their temperatures get out of control. Unless that heat mat has a thermostat on it, it can easily soar to over 40C when insulated. Further, it is a tarantula's instinct to burrow down when they're hot. You probably see the issue there. That's why @Venom1080 suggested putting it on the side if you must.

I only say that it looks like a MM because of the carapace, legs, and fangs. This species gets very narrow fangs, long legs, and tiny carapaces when they are mature. Which it appears to have done in that picture.
 

sammyc

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I've got the heat pad under the enclosure and there is a fair amount of substrate in between. There is a small dish of water in the corner and its always full. The pad is on in the evening only when it drops to 12degc and is off during the day from sunrise. I will try and upload some photos. I have no issue with enjoying a male for a couple of years. Just as enjoyable as a female for 20yrs or more.
 

EulersK

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I've got the heat pad under the enclosure and there is a fair amount of substrate in between.
Please see my initial comment to that :rofl:
The issue with heat mats is that when they are insulated (such as being put on the bottom of a tank under substrate), their temperatures get out of control. Unless that heat mat has a thermostat on it, it can easily soar to over 40C when insulated. Further, it is a tarantula's instinct to burrow down when they're hot. You probably see the issue there.
 

sammyc

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Jul 13, 2017
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Thanks for the replies. It's cold here and just as cold in the room where my boy lives. I did mention that my son's T froze to death. The temperature here now in his room is 12degC. According to my limited knowledge and that's why I joined here, to learn, share and enjoy, the current ambient temperature is almost 10degc under what this species lives in the desert. The 2in (50mm) of substrate and glass under then the mat is not going to roast him, I'm sure. I'm sure that 10-12degc every night under his natural environment will cause stress. Sorry, not to familiar with the US temp. I think it's degF. You guys made me stress so I went and checked the substrate and its cool to the touch. not even warm. with respect I don't think a 9w pad will cook my T at 40degc. I will buy a electronic laser temp instrument tomorrow and do some readings and post back.
 

Ellenantula

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Like others have said, they can be moody -- that 'psycho rosie' is no misnomer.
Mine has been very chill and easy-going -- but I am aware that could change with no warning at anytime (hence 'psycho'). :eek:

As a newbie, I fed mine a lot when I first got her and then she fasted for 14 months! So... definitely back off the food if her rump looks healthy! I only offer prey every 6 - 8 weeks or so due to the burden of removing refused live prey. (Some feed pre-killed prey but that's another discussion).

If you ever need to do maintenance, for a new world tarantula like yours, I'd just set an inverted deli cup over her (if possible) inside tank for brief containment if needed. Just me.

Good luck with your tarantula!
 

sammyc

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Thanks ellenatula. First kind reply of this thread. I have kept snakes and lived them. My brown house snake was my baby for 6yrs and gave us several batches of eggs. She even went to a specialised vet to
 

nicodimus22

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You guys made me stress so I went and checked the substrate and its cool to the touch. not even warm.
So, what does that tell you? It's not doing any good. Unplug it and get a small space heater. That's the only safe way to warm tarantulas in cold places...(indirect) heating of the air, not the substrate.
 

sammyc

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sorry, sent by mistake. My snake went to a specialist for surgery for bieng eggbound. My point is I love my animals and be it a dog, spider or snake, they will get the best possible care humanly possible and hopefully with the help of experienced keepers. That's why I joined here. I certainly don't want a frozen or cooked tarantula and will not be playing with the animal like a toy like I have seen. I hope to make friends here and learn and share.
 

Venom1080

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Thanks ellenatula. First kind reply of this thread. I have kept snakes and lived them. My brown house snake was my baby for 6yrs and gave us several batches of eggs. She even went to a specialised vet to
Oh, I was rude?
Honestly, risk your pets life if you want, but don't say no one warned you. You should not own the animal if you can't take care of it.
 

nicodimus22

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Thanks ellenatula. First kind reply of this thread.
What? Not only was I the first person to reply, I gave you exactly the right information and didn't say anything mean at all. Not one thing. Go back and read it again.

Since you think I was rude to you, allow me to be now, so you know what it looks like.

You obviously failed to research tarantulas before getting your son the B. klaasi, which ultimately resulted in its death. That fucking pisses me off. People like that shouldn't own any living thing.

Experienced keepers here are telling you to lose the heating pad, and you're insisting that it's working despite telling us that the substrate feels cool. You've already killed one animal with your neglect. If I were you, I would either listen up or get the hell out of here.
 

Ellenantula

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I didn't think anyone was rude -- we just love tarantulas here and want what's best for them.
I just didn't address heat pads.

[I know a few European T keepers that have used heat pads successfully with Ts but I also know of many losses from using them incorrectly. You really have to know what you're doing and the risks outweigh the benefits for most T keepers.
I personally feel space heaters are safer for Ts and I use heating pads only for my snake. And even with my ball python, I am constantly monitoring and re-checking temps since he has a thermostat-controlled heating pad and it's always in the back of my mind 'what if something goes awry?]
 

EulersK

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Thanks ellenatula. First kind reply of this thread. I have kept snakes and lived them.
I wrote a short essay on how to keep your spider, and I'm rude? I even specifically watched this thread so that I'd be alerted if you replied with more questions. Wow, okay, I'll see myself out then. Best of luck to you and your spider.
 

jaycied

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Everyone here gave excellent advice. No one was trying to be rude, it was constructive criticism as we all care about the well being of tarantulas and want the best for new keepers.

There are tons of experienced and knowledgeable keepers on the boards that have doing it for years. If someone tells you, if multiple people are telling you the same thing especially, you should listen. Good luck.
 
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