Chilean Rose not eating

[boina]

i do worry the temperature is too cold for them and theres a lot of controversy regarding heat pads. Its difficult to know if your doing the right thing.

Yeah, I know it's difficult.

Regarding temps I'd say especially the G. rosea is very tolerant of colder temps. I keep mine generally in the low 70s, but in winter (like now) it can get down to 65F during the night sometimes (not very often, but it does happen). My spiders are all doing ok, even more fragile species , and yours are all very hardy.

If you really feel you need a heat pad stick it to the sides of the enclosures or, even better, to a wall and put the enclosures close to it without touching. That way it will raise ambient temps a bit without the danger of cooking your spiders. Under the enclosure it is pretty useless since the substrate isolates pretty well and when the spider buries down it is in serious danger of overheating.

 

[SuetheBlue]

Yeah, I know it's difficult.

Regarding temps I'd say especially the G. rosea is very tolerant of colder temps. I keep mine generally in the low 70s, but in winter (like now) it can get down to 65F during the night sometimes (not very often, but it does happen). My spiders are all doing ok, even more fragile species , and yours are all very hardy.

If you really feel you need a heat pad stick it to the sides of the enclosures or, even better, to a wall and put the enclosures close to it without touching. That way it will raise ambient temps a bit without the danger of cooking your spiders. Under the enclosure it is pretty useless since the substrate isolates pretty well and when the spider buries down it is in serious danger of overheating.

i will do and thanks for your help.

 

[SuetheBlue]

What's the enclosure look like? Is it kept dry? They're an arid species and don't seem to tolerate moisture very well. Is the substrate packed down enough? It looks kind of loose, which might be uncomfortable for it to walk on to chase prey. What's the temperature like?

The tarantula itself looks fine. But do you handle it frequently? I ask because it looks like it's on a bed in the second picture. Frequent handling might stress it out enough that it would be less inclined to eat.

I have just taken this pic of her enclosure, have packed down the substrate, do you think it looks ok? Also have just taken a pic of her, do you think her abdomen looks small or am I worrying unnecssary?

 

[SuetheBlue]

Too moist in there for desert sp.

Stress may be the issue.

The substrate should be bone dry.

Is it an old photo?

Here is a pic of her enclosure just taken, does it look ok and does she seem healthy looking to you?

 

[PidderPeets]

I have just taken this pic of her enclosure, have packed down the substrate, do you think it looks ok? Also have just taken a pic of her, do you think her abdomen looks small or am I worrying unnecssary?

As long as there isn't too much of a gap between the top of the enclosure and the substrate, it looks fine. The general rule of thumb is you only want a gap that equals about 1.5x the length of the spider. For example, if it's a 10cm spider, you'd give it a gap of about 15cm. That way if it decides to climb up the wall of the enclosure, it will be less likely to get hurt if it falls. I can't really tell how much space there is, so I thought I'd mention it just to be safe. Other than that, maybe just bury the water bowl a little bit so it's more level with the substrate. Everything else seems alright.

For having not eaten since she molted, her abdomen actually looks pretty decent sized. Perhaps she had more stored than what she needed to molt, so some extra was leftover to have her more prepared for next molt. I know slings are capable of that, so I would think it's at least in the realm of possibility for an subadult/adult.
I personally wouldn't be too worried about her abdomen size.

 

[SuetheBlue]

As long as there isn't too much of a gap between the top of the enclosure and the substrate, it looks fine. The general rule of thumb is you only want a gap that equals about 1.5x the length of the spider. For example, if it's a 10cm spider, you'd give it a gap of about 15cm. That way if it decides to climb up the wall of the enclosure, it will be less likely to get hurt if it falls. I can't really tell how much space there is, so I thought I'd mention it just to be safe. Other than that, maybe just bury the water bowl a little bit so it's more level with the substrate. Everything else seems alright.

For having not eaten since she molted, her abdomen actually looks pretty decent sized. Perhaps she had more stored than what she needed to molt, so some extra was leftover to have her more prepared for next molt. I know slings are capable of that, so I would think it's at least in the realm of possibility for an subadult/adult.
I personally wouldn't be too worried about her abdomen size.

Thank you so much for your advice. I have measured the gap between substrate and top and it is 11cm. Am more relieved now that you think her abdomen looks a decent size, I wasnt really sure so guess was just comparing it to our other 3 whose are all quite plump. Am probably worrying too much but just want to know am doing the best I can for her. Hopefully she will tuck in to a nice meal soon.
Thanks again.

 

[PidderPeets]

Thank you so much for your advice. I have measured the gap between substrate and top and it is 11cm. Am more relieved now that you think her abdomen looks a decent size, I wasnt really sure so guess was just comparing it to our other 3 whose are all quite plump. Am probably worrying too much but just want to know am doing the best I can for her. Hopefully she will tuck in to a nice meal soon.
Thanks again.

The other species that you said you have tend to be better eaters in general. The rose hair has such a low metabolic rate that even 1 or 2 crickets a month would be enough for them. It would also reduce the likelihood of her fasting for any extended period of time. And since her abdomen looks fine, I wouldn't be too worried if she takes her time before eating. As long as her abdomen doesn't start getting obviously smaller. Maybe just try offering a cricket once a week until she takes it

 

[Tenevanica]

Oh boy, a classic beginner question. Don't get me wrong OP, I'm glad you came here and asked questions. I hope you enjoy this wonderful hobby for years to come, you seem to be quite involved after a few months already. (At least, I assume that's your experience given what you've posted and the Ts you have.) I'm sure your G. rosea and other Ts are absolute beauties! I just find it sort of amusing when beginner hobbyists ask the same few questions over and over. If people would just read the FAQs you'd find out its pretty common knowledge that Grammostola sp. go on long fasts. Hope your Rosie does well!

 

[SuetheBlue]

The other species that you said you have tend to be better eaters in general. The rose hair has such a low metabolic rate that even 1 or 2 crickets a month would be enough for them. It would also reduce the likelihood of her fasting for any extended period of time. And since her abdomen looks fine, I wouldn't be too worried if she takes her time before eating. As long as her abdomen doesn't start getting obviously smaller. Maybe just try offering a cricket once a week until she takes it

Thanks, i'll try it, youve been so helpful.

 

[PidderPeets]

Thanks, i'll try it, youve been so helpful.

No problem. Hope all goes well with her and all your other Ts. If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask on here. There's almost always someone around to help

 

[SuetheBlue]

No problem. Hope all goes well with her and all your other Ts. If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask on here. There's almost always someone around to help

Update. Great news today. Woke this morning to find her tucking into a cricket, first time she has eaten since we got her 5 months ago. So relieved...do you think I should give her another tomorrow or wait a week or so?

 

[Storm1028]

Update. Great news today. Woke this morning to find her tucking into a cricket, first time she has eaten since we got her 5 months ago. So relieved...do you think I should give her another tomorrow or wait a week or so?

You can wait a week. Don't wanna put her into a fasting period again.

 

[SuetheBlue]

You can wait a week. Don't wanna put her into a fasting period again.

thanks, can you tell if Alex (pic attached) is male or female?

 

[Storm1028]

The most accurate way of sexing is through the exuvia (molt) of the Theraphosid, in this case, Alex. As far as I can tell, he/she is not a mature male because I can't see the palpal bulbs (also, the pedipalp is hidden because the T is eating). At the same time, I can't see any tibial hooks present on Leg I (someone will have to confirm if MM G.pulchripes have tibial hooks). So, in conclusion, you will have to provide us the molt of this tarantula to confirm the sex. Also, how big is she/he?

 

[PidderPeets]

Update. Great news today. Woke this morning to find her tucking into a cricket, first time she has eaten since we got her 5 months ago. So relieved...do you think I should give her another tomorrow or wait a week or so?

Definitely hold off on feeding for another week or so

thanks, can you tell if Alex (pic attached) is male or female?

As @Storm1028 said, the only 100% accurate way to tell is will a molt. However, if you were to post a picture of Alex's underside, particularly focused in between the first set of booklungs (on it's abdomen and closest to it's carapace or "head"), we could probably at least give you an educated guess

 

[Storm1028]

Definitely hold off on feeding for another week or so



As @Storm1028 said, the only 100% accurate way to tell is will a molt. However, if you were to post a picture of Alex's underside, particularly focused in between the first set of booklungs (on it's abdomen and closest to it's carapace or "head"), we could probably at least give you an educated guess

Quick question that's unrelated to this topic, how do you mention someone?

 

[SuetheBlue]

Definitely hold off on feeding for another week or so



As @Storm1028 said, the only 100% accurate way to tell is will a molt. However, if you were to post a picture of Alex's underside, particularly focused in between the first set of booklungs (on it's abdomen and closest to it's carapace or "head"), we could probably at least give you an educated guess

Alex retired to his hide 4 days ago and has webbed across the entrance so a molt could be imminent.

 

[dangerforceidle]

Quick question that's unrelated to this topic, how do you mention someone?

Type @ and then start typing the username. If you pause, it will pop-up a little box with a name suggestion, which you click on to "embed" the mention. @Storm1028

 

[Storm1028]

@dangerforceidle thank you!

 

[Paul1126]

Here is a pic of her enclosure just taken, does it look ok and does she seem healthy looking to you?

Looks fine, as people say keep it dry.
Personally I would change the hide or at least bury it a bit so it's nice and snug.
Even if it barely uses to hide or not at all it's nice to give it a good option.