Can tarantulas get lathargic in the cold?

Lucyk

Arachnopeon
Joined
Aug 24, 2009
Messages
40
hi all, was just wondering whether T's can get lathargic and go off there food in the cold because my gramastola rosea has gone off her food and gone really lathargic and i don't think shes due a molt. I thought buying a heat matt to put half under my tanks to keep the tep a bit warmer as its barley 20C in my room and i also have a bracyphelma smith and a avicula avicula (excuse my spelling).

any replys, thanks.

Lucy.
 

gvfarns

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Jan 31, 2008
Messages
1,579
Tarantulas definitely go off food often when it's cold, particularly those species that live in more seasonal locations, of which G rosea is one. They also get more lethargic in the cold, yes.

Having said that, 20 degrees is 68 Fahrenheit, which isn't a problematically low temperature. It's on the cool side, but totally normal and comfortable for tarantulas.
 

Fran

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
1,531
You should try to raise those temps a bit ;)They are gonna barely move or feed at 68F.
Take them at least over 70F.
 

ysera

Arachnopeon
Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
16
its also cold here.. does 58 fahrenheit still good for them?
 

ysera

Arachnopeon
Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
16
not really!!! way to cold
in our place no one is selling heatmats, and theres no "warm" place in our house, but i got heat tape on the side of the enclosure, and my T is just stack on that side and shes in premolt.. what should i do to have enough heat!
 

Fran

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
1,531
Doesnt really help? You want to heat your T right? Then..theres not much more you can do. I mean you can set a fire near the tank, but besides that...
 

BrynWilliams

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
1,287
I've seen a fair few of these threads and long debates about what is the 'right' temperature to keep Ts at and the best advice i've read is this:

If you're comfortable at room temperature, they are as well. If you're cold, they're pretty cold.

So in general, provided your house isn't enormously cold all the time, they should be ok, if maybe a little slower in movement and growing. Long periods of cold will affect their digestion rate and that's really the main issue of temperature.
 

Robineng

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
19
in our place no one is selling heatmats, and theres no "warm" place in our house, but i got heat tape on the side of the enclosure, and my T is just stack on that side and shes in premolt.. what should i do to have enough heat!
Could buy one of those electrical heaters, should be easy to get and relatively cheap and help heat the room... Otherwise, just placing a lamp a bit closer to the terrariums should help greatly with heat.
 

ysera

Arachnopeon
Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
16
Doesnt really help? You want to heat your T right? Then..theres not much more you can do. I mean you can set a fire near the tank, but besides that...
well, you guys are only debating on that post >.> !!!
nice guide though but my sources are limited.. and theres no heat mats/space heater available in our place so the only option i got is a heat tape and a party bulb which i can get..
 

ysera

Arachnopeon
Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
16
Could buy one of those electrical heaters, should be easy to get and relatively cheap and help heat the room... Otherwise, just placing a lamp a bit closer to the terrariums should help greatly with heat.
i might try that.. thank you sir :)
 

Fran

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
1,531
well, you guys are only debating on that post >.> !!!
nice guide though but my sources are limited.. and theres no heat mats/space heater available in our place so the only option i got is a heat tape and a party bulb which i can get..
Please dont take offense but...Where do you live in the South Pole? ;)
Cant you get a cheap small space heater in a store or maybe a heat bulb ?
 

TheTsupreme

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Nov 24, 2009
Messages
158
I had an cold room to cuz the property ownershad trouble with the pump to our radiators, so i took an ordinary lamp but when its on more than 15 min it gets hot so i had that over my sling enclosures u could try that or just buy a radiator that runs on electricity for the T's and your own sake :)
 

Teal

Arachnoemperor
Old Timer
Joined
Jan 11, 2009
Messages
4,092
TOTALLY - okay not that much, but pretty much - off topic...

But HOW do yall stand having it so cold in your houses?! Do you waddle around in parkas all the time?

Though, maybe it's just me... It's 75F in the living room where I am sitting and I have goosebumps and am debating on a sweatshirt LOL
 

Exo

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Jun 19, 2009
Messages
1,219
You should try to raise those temps a bit ;)They are gonna barely move or feed at 68F.
Take them at least over 70F.
Hey Fran......I keep mine at 68F and they eat like pigs, maybe someone should go tell them it's to cold? ;)
 

Fran

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
1,531
Now seriously...To keep them at 68F all the time...Its a bit cold.
Some specie just feed more often than others, but its a bit on the cold side.(depending on the specie, but for most American T's)
 
Top