B Auratum Acting very aggresive

[Catch Smiley]

Back in May, I bought what was labeled as a B Smithi, but I'm pretty sure it's actually a B Auratum. When I first got it, it was real calm and never showed signs of aggression other than occasionally kicking hairs. About a week or so after it molted and I moved it into a bigger container, it's been pretty aggressive. I often likes to be right next to it's water dish, so when I change it's water I brush it's back leg with a paint brush to get it to move away. Lately it's been attacking that paint brush. I was just wondering if anyone else as had similar experiences with this species, everything I read about them is that they're very calm and docile, not aggressive at all.

 

[Blut und ehre]

I have a B.auratum as well ....and it is aggressive too ....and very "high strung"!!.... Unfortunately they don't all follow the rule books...! But it still is very cool though!!haha

 

[macbaffo]

Nothing unuasual.
Don't forget that they are wild creatures and they respond to stimuli from the environment. Plus you are invading its territory so technically yours it's the first aggression.

 

[Bongo Fury]

Are you sure it's not just a feeding response? The pair I had were voracious eaters. It's also possible that your specimen is more defensive than the average Brachypelma. I would look for a way to fill the dish without disturbing the T.

 

[Poec54]

If it's hanging around the water bowl, the cage needs to be a little more humid, but not soggy. Tarantulas lose a lot of fluids and body fat when they shed, and are fanatical about replacing that, so they're not so vulnerable.

As far as temperaments, they vary in every species. Tarantulas really shouldn't be held; some tolerate it, most don't. Oversize fangs and tiny brains.

 

[MarkmD]

Nice T good pic, T's have thair own personality so no matter what species it is thay show different behavior and traits, as some of the same species of T are very laid back others are nuts lol, no T is "docile" just more content to being moved/handled etc, "aggressive" is a strong word, as in your case it didn't run after you as it was protecting itself, that shows it was being "defensive" towards you gently prodding it, then turning around to what was happening then threat posture/fangs/attack mode (not in any order).

 

[Poec54]

no T is "docile" just more content to being moved/handled etc, "aggressive" is a strong word, as in your case it didn't run after you as it was protecting itself, that shows it was being "defensive" towards you gently prodding it, then turning around to what was happening then threat posture/fangs/attack mode (not in any order).

Right, 'docile' is actually just more tolerant of humans pestering them. They'd all rather be left alone. He's describing hunger, not defensiveness. Feed that spider.

 

[Harlie]

I've experienced the same, when i got a male b.auratum, about 3" and decided to move it to a larger enclosure. He doesn't kick hairs, He acts on the slightest disturbance. the other auratum that i've had, was never like the male. It's just being territorial i think, Defending his premises from "invaders" (you)

 

[lancej]

Right, 'docile' is actually just more tolerant of humans pestering them. They'd all rather be left alone. He's describing hunger, not defensiveness. Feed that spider.

These are my thoughts also. A defensive t usually will kick hairs, show a threat, then attack. If it is attacking the brush the same way it would prey, it is telling you "Feed me dammit!"

 

[Catch Smiley]

Right, 'docile' is actually just more tolerant of humans pestering them. They'd all rather be left alone. He's describing hunger, not defensiveness. Feed that spider.

I feed it a cricket once a week. Do you think I should feed it more? It's an impressive feeder, tackles the cricket right away most of the time. Should I feed it twice a week every other week?

 

[lancej]

I feed it a cricket once a week. Do you think I should feed it more? It's an impressive feeder, tackles the cricket right away most of the time. Should I feed it twice a week every other week?

Feed it twice a week for a few weeks post molt, maybe a little longer if it keeps trying to eat everything that touches it.

 

[Poec54]

Feed it twice a week for a few weeks post molt, maybe a little longer if it keeps trying to eat everything that touches it.

I'll feed mine several times a week post-molt. They're starving. After a month or so, then you can slow down a bit, and they'll be calmer. Right now it's a matter of survival. In the wild they won't last long unless they regain their weight quickly.

 

[Catch Smiley]

thanks for all of the input, I'll start feeding it more. Matter of fact I just did, it took the cricket right away. I also have a G pulchripes that has recently moleted. I feed it once a week, it's VERY calm all of the time. Would you recommend feeding it twice a week also? It eats good, but doesn't attack the crickets right away like the B auratum does.

 

[Smokehound714]

Like any animal, disposition varies from individual to individual. Some brachys are like big teddybears, and others make Haplos and pokies look nice.

Molting is a stressful time for tarantulas. I say it'll be back to it's self when hardened enough and feeling less vulnerable.

All spiders are nervous and defensive before and after a molt.

 

[Arachtion]

Are you sure it's not just a feeding response? The pair I had were voracious eaters. It's also possible that your specimen is more defensive than the average Brachypelma. I would look for a way to fill the dish without disturbing the T.

I second this, my pair of P.antinous will turn around and crunch on anything that touches them, by if you touch them a second time they usually don't do it, which says to me that they eat first, ask questions second and let go when they realise the tweezers/paintbrush aren't edible!

 

[macbaffo]

He didn't say how big is the T so i think it's useless to say feed it X time a week. Being voracious only follow its instinct that tells him "eat now because you don't know when you will have again the chance to do so". Which works great in the wild.
Just look at the ratio between carapace and abdomen to tell if it needs to eat or not. For terrestrials 1:1-1:1,25 ok for sub and adults, 1:2-1:3 for slings. Just my 2cents.

 

[Poec54]

I also have a G pulchripes that has recently molted. Would you recommend feeding it twice a week also?

EVERY recently-molted T needs to eat and drink more often. Step up your feeding schedule for a while.

 

[SuzukiSwift]

I have a B.auratum too, they are quite skittish and kick hairs very easily, however not really agressive in the sense that they’re ticked off about something. Its a feeding response, after a moult (when they are ready to eat) Ts need a lot of extra sustenance to get back everything they used whike moulting

 

[Ziolizard]

thanks for all of the input, I'll start feeding it more. Matter of fact I just did, it took the cricket right away. I also have a G pulchripes that has recently moleted. I feed it once a week, it's VERY calm all of the time. Would you recommend feeding it twice a week also? It eats good, but doesn't attack the crickets right away like the B auratum does.

Yes, I recommend feeding it twice a week until it shows no interest in food, then go back to once a week. =) Your Ts are so cute!

 

[Storm76]

What's all this stuff lately about Brachys? They're new-world, don't have "medically significant" venom, but they still follow the same rules that all tarantulas do:

* Temperaments vary
* Behavior may vary somewhat (some dig, others don't aso...)
* They can bite - and no matter the venom, large specimen have larger fangs and the bite itself will probably hurt quite some already!

My B. auratum gave me some threatpostures even when she was sufficiently fed. Some just want to be left along completely! I never tried holding this T (there are very few exceptions in regards to handling that I make anyways) and I don't molest my T's except for maintenance either. After her last molt she isn't that much of a hairkicker anymore but one thing to give some thought to:

Some tarantulas actually view their whole cage as their "territory" and some are quite protective of it. Accept it, don't mess with it, take good care of it and enjoy the T for what it is: A little predator that looks awesome!

Not to mention that Brachys and Grammostolas are probably the easiest to keep and take care of terrestrials even for people starting out the hobbby...so no worries and just keep your fingers out of reach.