Curly hair -- sealed off in enclosure

[psaw]

Hi everyone. I've got a curly hair that's about 1.5" or so and it's recently dug a huge burrow inside her hide, and subsequently completely sealed itself off from the rest of the enclosure.

My question is -- should I attempt to feed it? It literally would have to dig itself out in an attempt to get the cricket so I'm not sure if I should just leave it alone until it comes out, or if I should put a cricket on the other side of it's bunker and see what happens. I think I've read before that they'll do that sometimes, so I'm not really worried about it, and it's super cool to watch since we can clearly see her entire space she's dug out as well as watch her as she modifies it.

Should I put a cricket in, or just wait? I could add -- she's very well fed and has only been in there a week or so. I thought maybe she was getting ready to go into a molt or something.

Thanks all!

 

[Galluch13]

I would leave it alone for now, let it do its thing My guess would be it sealed itself up because it may molt.

 

[psaw]

That's what I'm thinking, but just wanted to verify. Still a beginner for sure, but loving it so far.

 

[rob0t]

Feed it on a regular schedule. If it doesn't eat in 24hra take it out and try again next time.

 

[korg]

Definitely just wait, and perhaps periodically drop a cricket in (as robot suggested) if it remains sealed. I don't think destroying its hide in an attempt to facilitate feeding is a good idea.

 

[psaw]

I would wait for sure -- I just didn't know if it was even worth dropping one in. He'd have to dig through an inch or more of substrate at the door of his enclosure to get out.

 

[rob0t]

The taratula will dig out if it wants it. I've had plenty bury themselves in for reason other than molting and come out for food.

 

[EightLeggedFreaks]

If I suspect a Tarantula in pre molt, or I know it's in pre molt. I'll pre kill the prey just in case. You don't want to walk away for an hour and your T has started to molt and the prey is chewing at it. Because I can't find pinheads usually anything under an inch gets pre killed anyways. I've yet to have a problem with them eating.

 

[Poec54]

The taratula will dig out if it wants it. I've had plenty bury themselves in for reason other than molting and come out for food.

+1. If it's sealed itself in, it has a reason for doing it. It does not want food, and certainly is in no mood to entertain company.

 

[friendttyy]

I would leave it alone for now, let it do its thing My guess would be it sealed itself up because it may molt.

Feed it on a regular schedule. If it doesn't eat in 24hra take it out and try again next time.

These guys are right, feed it and remove after 14 hrs

 

[psaw]

So, FYI, I put a cricket in, and sure enough he dug a tiny hole through his "bunker" and got the cricket -- then resealed it. On a separate note - so I don't have to start a new thread, our Chaco buried himself in his substrate, but I could see him in a little 'hole' through the side of the deli container we have him in. (he's probably 1 or 1.5"). But this am -- I can't see him at all. He's buried somewhere underneath the substrate. Is there ever a chance that they could dig themselves in a hole, that would collapse on them and hurt them? Or is he ok? I just left it alone, but thought I'd ask if there's ever a time that I should help "dig" them out.

It's a 3" deli cup or so and there's probably 1.5" of substrate in it. I wouldn't think he could bury himself alive, but thought I'd ask.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[rob0t]

Nope no chance at all. Leave it alone.

 

[psaw]

Cool, that's what I figured. Thanks!