G. pulchra in weird pose in the corner

[K3nn3dy]

I've had Fiona for several years now, and I've never seen her do this. Is this cause to be concerned? She has eaten recently, and she was stretched out normally earlier today.

That pink spot you see is "normal" for her, btw. It appeared a few molts ago (and she has molted without any problems since, with the last molt being several months ago).

The only thing that's possibly different is that a few days ago I wet the substrate in the back a little more because it has been so dry, so the humidity in her enclosure is likely a little higher than she is used to.

Is she just being weird?

 

[HooahArmy]

How long has she been in her 'downward dog' yoga pose? My chalcodes gang has a tendency to do that too, usually facing cork logs for some reason.

 

[K3nn3dy]

How long has she been in her 'downward dog' yoga pose? My chalcodes gang has a tendency to do that too, usually facing cork logs for some reason.

Thanks so much for your reply. I came home from having dinner out and saw her like that. I checked on her earlier this afternoon and she wasn't in that position (she was chilling and looking normal). So less than a day, for sure. Probably less than 8 hours.

 

[HooahArmy]

Okay, less than 8 is good. The only reason why I'm not worried yet is because some of my new world Ts do that too and get up and leave after whatever yoga practice they complete. The longest I had a T do that was about 2 days, then she left when I warmed up the room.
If your pal is still doing the downward dog after 24 hours and it's starting to creep you out, you may:
- Offer a little snack and see what happens.
- Drizzle the substrate with some water. Some of my Ts do headbows in low places, looking for water, especially after they buried their water dish, or even when water is present.
- Give a light prod to check if your pal is okay.
- Grab a magnifying glass and look through the enclosure for sores, mites, etc.

Keep us posted!

 

[K3nn3dy]

Okay, less than 8 is good. The only reason why I'm not worried yet is because some of my new world Ts do that too and get up and leave after whatever yoga practice they complete. The longest I had a T do that was about 2 days, then she left when I warmed up the room.
If your pal is still doing the downward dog after 24 hours and it's starting to creep you out, you may:
- Offer a little snack and see what happens.
- Drizzle the substrate with some water. Some of my Ts do headbows in low places, looking for water, especially after they buried their water dish, or even when water is present.
- Give a light prod to check if your pal is okay.
- Grab a magnifying glass and look through the enclosure for sores, mites, etc.

Keep us posted!

Sounds like a plan. Thanks again! I really appreciate your input.

 

[K3nn3dy]

Okay, less than 8 is good. The only reason why I'm not worried yet is because some of my new world Ts do that too and get up and leave after whatever yoga practice they complete. The longest I had a T do that was about 2 days, then she left when I warmed up the room.
If your pal is still doing the downward dog after 24 hours and it's starting to creep you out, you may:
- Offer a little snack and see what happens.
- Drizzle the substrate with some water. Some of my Ts do headbows in low places, looking for water, especially after they buried their water dish, or even when water is present.
- Give a light prod to check if your pal is okay.
- Grab a magnifying glass and look through the enclosure for sores, mites, etc.

Keep us posted!

Sounds like a plan. Thanks again! I really appreciate your input.

 

[viper69]

Yes- normal

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I've had Fiona for several years now, and I've never seen her do this. Is this cause to be concerned? She has eaten recently, and she was stretched out normally earlier today.

That pink spot you see is "normal" for her, btw. It appeared a few molts ago (and she has molted without any problems since, with the last molt being several months ago).

The only thing that's possibly different is that a few days ago I wet the substrate in the back a little more because it has been so dry, so the humidity in her enclosure is likely a little higher than she is used to.

Is she just being weird?
View attachment 490773 View attachment 490774 View attachment 490775

Any update? Looks normal to me.

 

[K3nn3dy]

She finished her yoga! Thanks for the reassurance. Y'all are the best.

 

[Dorifto]

She could be looking for some moisture, since they feel changes in the substrate moisture levels. Mine sometimed digs a small portion and sits flat on it.

Also, what do you feed her with? Make sure there isn't any feeder buried beneath.

 

[Gevo]

It looks like she was doing this in the moistened corner, if I'm seeing the darker substrate there right, so she may have been trying to suck some moisture from the soil. I've caught mine using the water dish before, but he more often tends to suck water out of bits of moss that get moistened next to his water dish when I fill it.

Speaking of water dishes, have you seen her using that one? If so, disregard this and don't worry about fixing what isn't broken, but if not, one thing you may want to try is a shallower dish. Now, these guys are known for using their water dishes seldomly, and shallow dishes are a lot easier for them to flip and bury, so it becomes a constant game of "retrieve the water dish," but the reason I use plastic pop bottle caps for this size tarantula is because they drink by standing over the dish and lowering their mouthparts down to the water, scrunching their legs over their head in that "downward dog" pose just like yours was doing there. A shallower dish allows them to do this much more easily than if they need to balance on the rim of a deeper cup and lower themselves down from there. Just something to think about!

 

[K3nn3dy]

It looks like she was doing this in the moistened corner, if I'm seeing the darker substrate there right, so she may have been trying to suck some moisture from the soil. I've caught mine using the water dish before, but he more often tends to suck water out of bits of moss that get moistened next to his water dish when I fill it.

Speaking of water dishes, have you seen her using that one? If so, disregard this and don't worry about fixing what isn't broken, but if not, one thing you may want to try is a shallower dish. Now, these guys are known for using their water dishes seldomly, and shallow dishes are a lot easier for them to flip and bury, so it becomes a constant game of "retrieve the water dish," but the reason I use plastic pop bottle caps for this size tarantula is because they drink by standing over the dish and lowering their mouthparts down to the water, scrunching their legs over their head in that "downward dog" pose just like yours was doing there. A shallower dish allows them to do this much more easily than if they need to balance on the rim of a deeper cup and lower themselves down from there. Just something to think about!

Thanks for the insight! I've seen her use that one, but it has been a while. What if I bury the cup a little so that it's easier for her to access?

 

[Dorifto]

Thanks for the insight! I've seen her use that one, but it has been a while. What if I bury the cup a little so that it's easier for her to access?

It's recomended to bury them a bit, or place them flat to the surface.

 

[Charliemum]

It's called stilting and it's to regulate body temperature, its totally normal behaviour .
If you Google Tarantula stilting you will see lots of t's doing it.

 

[K3nn3dy]

It's recomended to bury them a bit, or place them flat to the surface.

Done. Thanks!

 

[K3nn3dy]

It's called stilting and it's to regulate body temperature, its totally normal behaviour .
If you Google Tarantula stilting you will see lots of t's doing it.

Thanks! I'd seen her in 4X4 mode before, but I'd never seen this particular combination of cramming her whole front into a corner with her entire rear in the air. I'm really grateful to this community for the reassurance!

 

[TheraMygale]

If your entire enclosure is dry substrate, one corner can have water. Imagine squeezing half a lemon in a glass of water.

that added water will create a gentle moisture zone. The water bowl is great and so is a moisture sub zone. It doesnt need to be super rain monsoon wet.

if your home humidity is high, that zone can dry quick. Vice versa.

You seem to have lower levels of sub moist. Is this a photo illusion?

your ventilation holes are well placed.

do you know the mechanism of tarantula breathing? If not, its gaz exchanges. Related to book lungs and moisture found at the level tarantula moves. Thats why a moist corner, in the size of your enclosure is not a bad idea.

the water bowl is not always taken asopted by tarantulas. It can happen overtime.

the overall composure of you enclosure, including placement of hide, is well designed.