Can tarantulas get lathargic in the cold?

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Lucyk

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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.
 
G

gvfarns

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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

Fran

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You should try to raise those temps a bit ;)They are gonna barely move or feed at 68F.
Take them at least over 70F.
 
Y

ysera

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its also cold here.. does 58 fahrenheit still good for them?
 
Y

ysera

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joshuai said:
not really!!! way to cold
Click to expand...
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

Fran

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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

BrynWilliams

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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.
 
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Robineng

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ysera said:
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!
Click to expand...
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.
 
Y

ysera

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Fran said:
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...
Click to expand...
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..
 
Y

ysera

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Robineng said:
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.
Click to expand...
i might try that.. thank you sir :)
 
Fran

Fran

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ysera said:
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..
Click to expand...
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 ?
 
T

TheTsupreme

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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

Teal

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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
 
E

Exo

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Fran said:
You should try to raise those temps a bit ;)They are gonna barely move or feed at 68F.
Take them at least over 70F.
Click to expand...
Hey Fran......I keep mine at 68F and they eat like pigs, maybe someone should go tell them it's to cold? ;)
 
Fran

Fran

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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)
 
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