Brachypelma hamorii Enclosure Help

[spidertime]

I recently discovered my Brachypelma hamorii acting very lethargic and slightly more curled than usual. I moved the enclosure downstairs since discovering the change in my spiders behavior. My house stays a little bit cold, and I applied a small heating pad to the side of the enclosure. The spider is female and around 3 years old and I adopted it from the previous owner a couple of months ago. This is my first spider and would appreciate any and all help to get my spider feeling more comfortable.

 

[Matt Man]

first., that's a B. boehmei, not hamorii. It may be going pre molt which would explain the sluggish behavior. Make sure the pad is on the side and high so if needed it can burrow away from it.
Can you post pictures of the full set up

 

[spidertime]

Thank you for the species correction! The heating pad is on the side, but the enclosure temperature has not risen above 70F. Since I’ve had it since adopting, it has only dug slightly at the substrate and not burrowed. The substrate I have is the Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber. I’m a little worried that the spot I have it in is too busy if it is indeed in pre molt. Its colors have significantly darkened over the past couple of weeks.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Thank you for the species correction! The heating pad is on the side, but the enclosure temperature has not risen above 70F. Since I’ve had it since adopting, it has only dug slightly at the substrate and not burrowed. The substrate I have is the Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber. I’m a little worried that the spot I have it in is too busy if it is indeed in pre molt. Its colors have significantly darkened over the past couple of weeks.

Make sure that hide is non-coniferous. The sap from conifer trees pose a threat to tarantulas even baked-in products like those hides if it is coniferous.

 

[spidertime]

Make sure that hide is non-coniferous. The sap from conifer trees pose a threat to tarantulas even baked-in products like those hides if it is coniferous.

Would something artificial be better for the enclosure?

 

[cold blood]

The species, most Brachypelma, don't tend to burrow much in captivity.....it's not something you should expect

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Would something artificial be better for the enclosure?

Corkbark is mainly used but a clay pot sliced in half works too. PVC is also good but needs to be in a half shape like your hide. There's many options. Many adult NW terrestrials will not use a hide but if startled and threaten they might bolt onto you or just a runabout if no hide is offered.

 

[viper69]

Would something artificial be better for the enclosure?

Cork bark works fine.

From the little data provided it sounds like your T is too cold. They all slow down below 70, with exception to species found in cold climates.

 

[Brewser]

She is Absolutely Beautiful Brachy,
Well Fed and Lounging about in Luxurious Surroundings.
Congratulations,

 

[Gevo]

It's not uncommon for them to be more sluggish and to curl up a bit more when they're coming up on a molt (which could still mean that they're several months away from actually molting!). In the photo, I don't see the concerning kind of "curled up," which is where the legs are curling under them, indicating that they're having difficulty working up the pressure needed to move properly. In the photo, the legs are curled up a bit over the tarantula, which isn't concerning. (Sometimes people refer to that as a "stress pose," and while they do sometimes tighten up with their legs over their heads when stressed out, it's not the same kind of stress you'd think of with another animal, and the position yours is in isn't that tightly balled-up position.)

Is this one still eating, or has it started fasting?

 

[Lynn57]

I find watching the Tarantula Collective on You tube to be a excellent source of info.

 

[Matt Man]

Would something artificial be better for the enclosure?

you just don't want aromatic woods, the tannins aren't good for Ts, so yours could be fine, Otherwise a cork bark ledge

 

[spidertime]

It's not uncommon for them to be more sluggish and to curl up a bit more when they're coming up on a molt (which could still mean that they're several months away from actually molting!). In the photo, I don't see the concerning kind of "curled up," which is where the legs are curling under them, indicating that they're having difficulty working up the pressure needed to move properly. In the photo, the legs are curled up a bit over the tarantula, which isn't concerning. (Sometimes people refer to that as a "stress pose," and while they do sometimes tighten up with their legs over their heads when stressed out, it's not the same kind of stress you'd think of with another animal, and the position yours is in isn't that tightly balled-up position.)

Is this one still eating, or has it started fasting?

I am unsure if it is fasting yet, as I haven’t fed it again since about a week and a half ago (it ate 6 large crickets).

 

[spidertime]

you just don't want aromatic woods, the tannins aren't good for Ts, so yours could be fine, Otherwise a cork bark ledge

I shall look into getting a cork bark hide for the gal then!

 

[spidertime]

Cork bark works fine.

From the little data provided it sounds like your T is too cold. They all slow down below 70, with exception to species found in cold climates.

Should I look into getting a slightly larger heating pad then? It has definitely been preferring the heating pad side since I applied it, and I definitely want the overall temperature to hover above 70F so it can be more comfortable

 

[Matt Man]

I shall look into getting a cork bark hide for the gal then!

make sure it can't collapse and dig a starter burrow under it. I typically have other bark or rocks serving as the supports. It can be a pretty shallow lean-to

 

[viper69]

Should I look into getting a slightly larger heating pad then? It has definitely been preferring the heating pad side since I applied it, and I definitely want the overall temperature to hover above 70F so it can be more comfortable

Space heaters are better, and safer.. W/low temps their metabolism drops.

 

[TheraMygale]

I think people answered your questions, so i will add a completely off topic bit of information:

if you were ever tempted to handle it because you thought it was a B hamorii, the fact that its not, and what it actualy is, should be important to note. These are some great hair kickers. Spicy! Much more spunky they B hamorii.

of course, handling any tarantula is always a dangerous thing for the tarantula.

i just needed to share that. When you do maintenance, it will be helpful to consider this.