Choco golden knee acting weird

[Joshua zaugg]

I have a Choco golden knee for about 2 weeks now it is in a 10 gallon tank with a half log and water dish, at first it was always hiding in the log and now it just sits in one corner or on the glass and won't go in the hiding, should I be considered or is this normal?

 

[Venom1080]

Alot of Ts kind of chill out on the open for weeks at a time. It's normal.

Can you post pics of it and it's cage?

 

[Joshua zaugg]

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[Joshua zaugg]

 

[Joshua zaugg]

I am also receiving a b. Vagan Fridayand want to make sure I'm doing everything right

 

[miss moxie]

Can we see how much substrate you have from the top of the enclosure to the substrate? That's a very important step in husbandry, providing the right amount of substrate to mitigate the damage of a potential fall. The rule of thumb is 1.5x their size. So for example, a 4" spider should have only six inches from the top of their enclosure to the substrate. The water dish is good, no sponge or rocks in it. I'm not a huge fan of the rock for decoration but I don't like putting in hard things they could fall onto you know?

 

[Joshua zaugg]

Can we see how much substrate you have from the top of the enclosure to the substrate? That's a very important step in husbandry, providing the right amount of substrate to mitigate the damage of a potential fall. The rule of thumb is 1.5x their size. So for example, a 4" spider should have only six inches from the top of their enclosure to the substrate. The water dish is good, no sponge or rocks in it. I'm not a huge fan of the rock for decoration but I don't like putting in hard things they could fall onto you know?

I have the 10 gallon aquarium about half full, and the rock I wasn't to sure about I didn't know if they like sitting on stuff or not? And I had her in a critter cage one of the plastic ones and moved her in the tank and ever since then she has just been in the corner or sitting on the glass.. and I'm not sure if I should be worried about temp. And humidity, especially since I'm getting a b.vagan soon and want everything to be right

 

[miss moxie]

I have the 10 gallon aquarium about half full, and the rock I wasn't to sure about I didn't know if they like sitting on stuff or not? And I had her in a critter cage one of the plastic ones and moved her in the tank and ever since then she has just been in the corner or sitting on the glass.. and I'm not sure if I should be worried about temp. And humidity, especially since I'm getting a b.vagan soon and want everything to be right

No, no-- don't worry about humidity. Chasing humidity numbers is pointless. G. pulchripes likes dry substrate though when you see them heavy in pre-molt or flipped over to molt you can add some water to the substrate on one corner. Extra humidity can help them with their molt.

As for temperature, anything over 70F is alright. At 70-75 they will grow a little slower, higher than 75 and they will grow faster.

She is probably just a little stressed out because of the move, and needs some time to settle in. She doesn't look to be injured or unhealthy so I wouldn't worry about that.

B. vagans can be kept rather dry but they enjoy a little humidity. Not as much as the tropical species like Pamphobeteus, Theraphosa, Xenesthis, Phormictopus, etc. For them you could overflow the water dish once or twice a week or add a little sphagnum moss to one side of the enclosure and dampen it every so often. Sphagnum moss is great at holding moisture. Unless it's a sling, 1.5" or under. Then you can keep them more on the moist side as slings are more delicate and can be susceptible to desiccation.

 

[Venom1080]

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GREAT looking T. Might have to get one myself after that.

Cage looks good generally. You will want the gap no more than 2x the spiders legspan. Screen kids aren't the best.. if it climbs it can get it's tarsal claws stuck and dangle. This can lead to lost legs. It is fairly rare of the spider is settled in nicely. Sub looks kind of damp, probably fine, but I'd let it dry out almost entirely.

 

[Eva]

I am going to be a bit insensitive here, but how you guys keep so calm is beyond me. I tend to keep quiet, just lurking in the shadows, observing the goings-on - you know ...and the amount of people pretending that google does not exist that have been popping up lately is, well... fascinating. I know that not everybody knows everything, but nowadays it is no harder than typing "g pulchripes husbandry arachnoboards" into google and the amount of information that is instantly available makes for a good, long, evening read. I am sorry, OP, but it is really that simple.

 

[miss moxie]

I am going to be a bit insensitive here, but how you guys keep so calm is beyond me. I tend to keep quiet, just lurking in the shadows, observing the goings-on - you know ...and the amount of people pretending that google does not exist that have been popping up lately is, well... fascinating. I know that not everybody knows everything, but nowadays it is no harder than typing "g pulchripes husbandry arachnoboards" into google and the amount of information that is instantly available makes for a good, long, evening read. I am sorry, OP, but it is really that simple.

I would rather have someone come here asking about their husbandry and making an effort to be sure they're doing everything right, than coming here when the tarantula is half dead or dying because their husbandry was wrong in he first place.

 

[Eva]

I would rather have someone come here asking about their husbandry and making an effort to be sure they're doing everything right, than coming here when the tarantula is half dead or dying because their husbandry was wrong in he first place.

It does you credit that you don't mind sacrificing your sanity so that tarantulas may live. I merely expressed my admiration!

 

[miss moxie]

It does you credit that you don't mind sacrificing your sanity so that tarantulas may live. I merely expressed my admiration!

My sanity is tested much more by people keeping their T all wrong then asking "why did my tarantula die? "

 

[miss moxie]

OP, here is how I keep my G. pulchripes

They really are pretty simple. I just add sphagnum and some fake plants for my own aesthetic appeal.

 

[Eva]

My sanity is tested much more by people keeping their T all wrong then asking "why did my tarantula die? "

Ok, so what humidity should I keep my G. pulchripes in again?
...just kidding

 

[miss moxie]

Ok, so what humidity should I keep my G. pulchripes in again?
...just kidding

I'm going to fight you.

 

[Eva]

I'm going to fight you.

I give up - you seem like you can be mean as hell and I would end up crying and leaving AB for a week!
Can we talk about G. pulchripes substrate level instead? And can I keep mine on woodchips btw? With a cactus???

 

[cold blood]

I have a Choco golden knee for about 2 weeks now it is in a 10 gallon tank with a half log and water dish, at first it was always hiding in the log and now it just sits in one corner or on the glass and won't go in the hiding, should I be considered or is this normal?

cage is big, like huge, and not enough sub, no biggie now though, thats been cleared up....where in WI are you? if youre in the milw area i could have given you a 1.25 vagans for $10. Hit me up if you want...good to see another Wisconsonite on the boards.

 

[Ungoliant]

and the amount of people pretending that google does not exist that have been popping up lately is, well... fascinating. I know that not everybody knows everything, but nowadays it is no harder than typing "g pulchripes husbandry arachnoboards" into google and the amount of information that is instantly available makes for a good, long, evening read.

To be fair, Google results are often hit-and-miss in terms of good information. (A brand new keeper doesn't necessarily think to limit the search to Arachnoboards.)

My sanity is tested much more by people keeping their T all wrong then asking "why did my tarantula die? "

Mine is tested when people ask for advice and then refuse to follow it.

 

[darkness975]

I have a Choco golden knee for about 2 weeks now it is in a 10 gallon tank with a half log and water dish, at first it was always hiding in the log and now it just sits in one corner or on the glass and won't go in the hiding, should I be considered or is this normal?

You will want no more than 1.5 times the DLS of the spider distance from the substrate to the lid.
Replace the metal mesh lid with pexi glass with air holes drilled into it.
Forget about humidity, just keep a full water dish.
Bury the half log at an angle so it resembles a burrow and it will burrow down into it if it wants.
Room temperature is fine as long as you don't live in the arctic and keep all the windows open.
Feed it once a week or every other week. Monitor the abdomen - if it looks too fat don't feed it for a while.
Handling is a bad idea - too many risks of it getting spooked and bolting (or biting).