New Haplo kepper here!!!!

[Mychajlo]

Hi, I recently just acquired a juvenile Haplopelma Vonwirthi that I bought a few days ago, I'd say about 4 or 5 days, after she had molted she is about 3-4 inches and I gave her about 5-6 inches of substrate to burrow, the humidity is at 75-85 percent and the temperature is at 75-80 and is regulated by a space heater in the room, she has a water dish and a few plants and moss that I picked up at the pet store, she also has a hide for her to retreat in but she has not gone in she mostly hangs out in the open or on the humidity and temperature gauges on the side of the tank, what I'm wondering is if there is anything I'm doing wrong since she has not eaten, I've given here 2 large crickets and they walk by her and she doesn't even go for them, I would really appreciate some advice. thanks guys

 

[Moonohol]

1. Ditch the hygrometer, they’re pretty much useless. Just keep the substrate mostly moist (NOT soaking wet).

2. More substrate would be better. I’d shoot for 7-8” depth minimum considering the size of yours.

As for not eating, just give it time to settle in. I’d wait for it to establish a burrow before attempting to feed.

 

[Walker253]

She looks in great shape. You could give her some more soil depth. You will get up one morning soon and find she has burrowed to the bottom. They are super shy and light sensitive, just give her space.

She looks like she is reading the gauges, lol

 

[KezyGLA]

Congratulations on the new addition. It is a nice species.

Though as it is fossorial it will need double that amount of substrate in order to make its proper burrows.

As for the not eating, it may not be hungry. Try again in a week.

Ps. The gauges are useless. That isnt a heat bulb is it?

 

[Chris LXXIX]

They need time for settle. They need time for start the burrow, those spiders are the quintessence of 'pet holes', and, if they don't burrow, there's a problem.

So wait.

You were a bit of a 'substrate Scrooge' IMO for the inches of substrate offered (I say at least 7/8 min.) but ok. Don't follow 'humidity numbers %', when the substrate is slightly moist is fine.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

When did it moult? You should wait a week or so after a moult before you try to feed it. It can also take a couple of weeks for them to settle into a new enclosure. I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Just give it some time and try feeding it again

 

[Mychajlo]

1. Ditch the hygrometer, they’re pretty much useless. Just keep the substrate mostly moist (NOT soaking wet).

2. More substrate would be better. I’d shoot for 7-8” depth minimum considering the size of yours.

As for not eating, just give it time to settle in. I’d wait for it to establish a burrow before attempting to feed.

Thank you for the advice, but I forgot to mention, I've noticed she hasn't seemed interested in digging her burrow either, is there a reason for that?

 

[Mychajlo]

Congratulations on the new addition. It is a nice species.

Though as it is fossorial it will need double that amount of substrate in order to make its proper burrows.

As for the not eating, it may not be hungry. Try again in a week.

Ps. The gauges are useless. That isnt a heat bulb is it?

It is a heat lamp but it is sitting on a layer of damp paper towels, so i can control the humidity better, and this is the depth of the substrate

 

[TownesVanZandt]

It is a heat lamp but it is sitting on a layer of damp paper towels, so i can control the humidity better, and this is the depth of the substrate View attachment 260158 View attachment 260159

You need to get rid of it. Heat lamps are not at all suitable for tarantulas.

 

[Mychajlo]

You need to get rid of it. Heat lamps are not at all suitable for tarantulas.

Ok, i will, thank you

 

[Moonohol]

Thank you for the advice, but I forgot to mention, I've noticed she hasn't seemed interested in digging her burrow either, is there a reason for that?

She’s probably just still getting settled in. As others mentioned, make sure to get rid of the heat lamp and just give her some time and privacy, she’ll burrow eventually. Some Ts just take longer than others to feel “comfortable” in their enclosures.

 

[Mychajlo]

Thank you all so much for your help, if there's anything else i would love to hear what you have to say, feel free to PM me, thank you guys again