Burrowing Wolf Spider Not Burrowing

[STARMAN1995]

Just a question. I have a burrowing wolf spider as I wanted to add a few true spiders to my collection, however this is a reoccurring issue with the burrowing wolf spiders. My current species is Geolycosa Missouriensis (however I doubt that matters) and she is not burrowing at all.

Where I originally caught the spider, I grabbed the soil which was almost sandy and applied it in a deep inclosure so she could get about 3-4 inches of a burrow built. However she didn't burrow in the substrate that she did in the wild. So I then grabbed a thicker course dirt that held together and even made her a premade burrow but she refused to use it.

And it's been like this for almost a week. This is an issue that I've had with all burrowing wolf's of any species and I'm not sure why. Possibly the substrate? Not sure. Anyways not the biggest issue but if anyone did know a reason for why the spider refuses to burrow and won't even use a premade one, it would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ReignofInvertebrates]

I've kept quite a few of them and from my experience they make their burrows after the first few days. It often helps if you dig a "start" to the burrow for the spider. They also like some twigs or plant matter to meld into the top of it. If you have tried that, I'm not sure why it won't burrow. Are you sure you have a female and not possibly an immature male?

 

[STARMAN1995]

I've kept quite a few of them and from my experience they make their burrows after the first few days. It often helps if you dig a "start" to the burrow for the spider. They also like some twigs or plant matter to meld into the top of it. If you have tried that, I'm not sure why it won't burrow. Are you sure you have a female and not possibly an immature male?

Yeah it's almost definitely a mature or near mature female. I also did grab some twigs and leaf litter for the spider to build around the burrow as they use that to create burrows in the wild. The burrow premade is 4 inches and I've coaxed the spider into it and she'll stay in for about 5 minutes but then quickly rush up to the surface and will not reside in the burrow again. From what I'm seeing it must be my substrate. Do you have any recommendations?

 

[ReignofInvertebrates]

That’s strange. I primarily use zoomed forest bedding for my spiders, dampen one side of the enclosure and I would say around 4-5 inches of burrowing space. I’m not sure why she wouldn’t burrow. How long have you had her in there?

 

[STARMAN1995]

That’s strange. I primarily use zoomed forest bedding for my spiders, dampen one side of the enclosure and I would say around 4-5 inches of burrowing space. I’m not sure why she wouldn’t burrow. How long have you had her in there?

Today would be 5 days. My biggest suprise is that the spider wouldn't burrow in the soil that it did in the wild. I've heard for tarantulas peat moss works best, and I can agree but I've heard Wolf Spiders aren't as picky with substrate. Overall though the spiders enclosure has optimal air, and I've fed her once as well and dampened the soil on the right side (opposite to where I made the premade burrow). It could just be this spider but all of my burrowing Wolf Spiders have always had the same issue with burrowing in the past which I think is odd. Anyways I'll try and look into it more. If you do have any more suggestions I'd be open to try them.

 

[ReignofInvertebrates]

One thing I find really interesting is that where I live there are a lot of open grassy fields, but only this one particular location has them. In this particular field you can find dozens upon dozens of burrows but no where else that I’ve looked. They shouldn’t be too picky about soil humidity especially since where I find them is quite dry.

 

[STARMAN1995]

One thing I find really interesting is that where I live there are a lot of open grassy fields, but only this one particular location has them. In this particular field you can find dozens upon dozens of burrows but no where else that I’ve looked. They shouldn’t be too picky about soil humidity especially since where I find them is quite dry.

Yeah, I've heard that they aren't picky. Still confused. Actually, the spider was in the premade burrow for a little over an hour, but then she came out and attempted to climb the walls of the enclosure. It seems to be the thing the spider is trying to do. It's constantly attempting to climb the enclosure to escape but fails as wolf spiders are poor at climbing most slippery surfaces. It will go on trying to climb for hours.

 

[STARMAN1995]

One thing I find really interesting is that where I live there are a lot of open grassy fields, but only this one particular location has them. In this particular field you can find dozens upon dozens of burrows but no where else that I’ve looked. They shouldn’t be too picky about soil humidity especially since where I find them is quite dry.

Here is a picture of the spider and the enclosure.

 

[Penn]

I have had my H. carolinensis (or so I think. Doesn't have a Geolycosa shape) since July 29 and she just now started making a burrow.

I gave her a hide which is just one of those biodegradable pots for seedlings cut in half. She uses it a lot and sits on top of it when the sun is out.

Maybe provide a small hide and see what happens? She is digging right in her hide.