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- Nov 7, 2019
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- 442
Hairy Osbourne, the juvenile LP, who we will refer to as male for now, has been with us for 51 days. He came to us in a big plastic deli cup where he lived for the next week. We felt he needed better digs so we rehoused him into a dollar store tupperware container while we searched for what would be his adult enclosure. The dollar store home was sufficient, but not very clear or nice to look at. The new substrate I put in there was wetter than I thought it was, and I thought it would dry out but it never really did, so I was constantly disturbing him to scoop out moldy spots that popped up. Nonetheless, he molted in there for the first time in our care which was a roller coaster of a day for me, but all turned out well and he ate 8 days after and every 3 days since. I knew I needed to fix his subtrate situation because he had been wandering around too much and hanging out on top of his hide looking like a toupee rented from a discount costume shop, but I needed a better enclosure before that could be done with minimal annoyance to Hairy. We ordered what ended up being a pile of cheap made in China garbage. When it got here we immediately sent it back and opted for a large critter keeper from the pet store, still not my first choice but it works. He showed his appreciation that night by thoroughly burying himself under the log hide leaving only a tiny window for me to check on him. But before that happened, and here's the part that makes me look bad and feel even worse, I have a plastic craft store ornament, the kind you fill with whatever, that I put in the corner of his new home with the hope that he would crawl inside of it so I could cap it and hang him in the tree for a few quick pics. Well, instead he promptly climbed on top of the ball, and upon descending, the empty ball rolled and he face planted into the subtrate. From there he went and stuck his head in his hide and stayed there. I know he doesn't have feelings but I was definitely embarrassed for him. Plus feeling pretty stupid that I didn't realize he is heavier than an empty ball. I took it out immediately, and he's fine. If I can find a way to secure the ornament better I may give it another try, but ultimately his well being is much more important than a good photo. That was days ago, he's eaten and shown himself so I know he's good, thankfully. He even gave me best present a tarantula can give it's keeper, poop in the water dish! I can't even tell you guys how excited that made me, lol.
He seems happy now so I'm happy. I'm expecting him to stop accepting food again and give us another molt soon. He's 3 inches now, so he'll definitely be able to be sexed as soon as I have a molt or a good ventral pic to post for examination. Heres a couple recent pics, taken with my 5 year old phone. I know his home is very plain, a fake plant or some pothos is needed (for me, Hairy probably doesn't care).
Like the title says, critique, comments, and questions are encouraged and welcome.
He seems happy now so I'm happy. I'm expecting him to stop accepting food again and give us another molt soon. He's 3 inches now, so he'll definitely be able to be sexed as soon as I have a molt or a good ventral pic to post for examination. Heres a couple recent pics, taken with my 5 year old phone. I know his home is very plain, a fake plant or some pothos is needed (for me, Hairy probably doesn't care).
Like the title says, critique, comments, and questions are encouraged and welcome.
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