A. Chalcodes Seems Very Unhappy

[IsabeauBleue]

I've had a nice A. Chalcodes (Arizona Blonde) for about two weeks. This is the second tarantula I've owned (the first died along with the mass extinction of pets caused by a furnace break three years ago. Long story there). I had been wanting to get another L. parahybana but couldn't find the size I wanted anywhere local. So, I ended up bringing home a pretty little Blonde.

The setup is very basic: just a large kritter keeper with three to four inches of coconut fiber, depending on which part of the keeper you're looking at. Buried under the deeper end is a plastic cup to serve as a cave (that is also completely ignored at this point). Humidity is higher than it should be. Average temperature ranges from 65-80 degrees F, depending on the day.

I'm getting the feeling that my tarantula is not a happy camper as "he" stays perched in a corner of the cage just a hair above the substrate. Actually, I think crouching would be a better description. "He" isn't spread out in a relaxed looking manner but has "his" legs curled close to "his" body. I was under the impression that these guys are not tree-dwellers, especially seeing as there is an extensive mat of webbing covering the floor of most of the cage.

Do you suppose the spider is sick or is unhappy with the moisture in the substrate? It is rather damp as I had to decompress a block of Eco Earth and I know they like it a bit dryer. Or perhaps it would be better if I moved "his" cage into the closet so it isn't so bright? I rent a room with two windows; one facing south and the other west, so there is lots of light throughout the day. My L. parahbana wasn't nearly so picky.

 

[Bugmom]

They like it dry. Dry dry dry. Did I mention dry?

Two weeks is nothing in terms of time it takes for some T's to get use to their new home. The light could be a factor, but probably not. I'm betting it's the humidity. He'll venture down when it's dryer. He may be moving around at night too when you're asleep.

 

[Poec54]

Arizona's in the desert. Look up their annual rainfall. Doesn't it seem like animals and plants from there wouldn't be thrilled about being soggy? Your poor spider's becoming arboreal to try to get dry. Parahybana are from wet tropical forests and are used to those conditions, for them it's fine. The key to healthy captive spiders is trying to recreate some of their natural habitat.

 

[IsabeauBleue]

Of course this morning the silly thing was in the cup. The top layer is drying out, but I wonder if I should bother getting an air pump (fish tank style) and some air tubing to insert under to try to dry it out. As I said, I didn't have much choice on the dampness as I had to decompress the Eco Earth to use it as I was out. I didn't want "him" on paper towels as that would mean disturbing "him" more often. Luckily, I won't have to change the bedding often and it will give me a chance to get the rest of the Eco Earth to dry out.

So we are betting not sick and just happy because of the sudden 'rainy' season?

 

[hearsemadam]

my female chalcodes liked it just like this...



she didnt even like a water dish in her enclosure and would dump it. she preferred a simulated rainfall from a spray bottle once every one or two weeks.

 

[IsabeauBleue]

I'm not sure I'll be able to fit a decomposing steer into "his" kritter keeper...



I'll make sure to keep "his" cage bone dry in the future. Thanks everyone!

 

[nicodimus22]

I'm not sure I'll be able to fit a decomposing steer into "his" kritter keeper.

If you do, we want pics.

 

[Poec54]

I'm not sure I'll be able to fit a decomposing steer into "his" kritter keeper!

At least a skull or hoof or something. It's all part of the authenticity.