Grammastola Pulchra - buried

[Lilin Hemlock]

Hello everyone, I have a G. Pulchra. He/She has been buried since around July 5th. I know they tend to bury themselves for long periods of time, but I am getting concerned. I continue to fill the water dish, and throw a cricket in every now and then, but "she" never eats. At what point would you take it upon yourself to disturb the burrow and check in? Thanks

 

[Mustafa67]

Hello everyone, I have a G. Pulchra. He/She has been buried since around July 5th. I know they tend to bury themselves for long periods of time, but I am getting concerned. I continue to fill the water dish, and throw a cricket in every now and then, but "she" never eats. At what point would you take it upon yourself to disturb the burrow and check in? Thanks

NORMAL DON’T DISTURB IT!

 

[viper69]

Hello everyone, I have a G. Pulchra. He/She has been buried since around July 5th. I know they tend to bury themselves for long periods of time, but I am getting concerned. I continue to fill the water dish, and throw a cricket in every now and then, but "she" never eats. At what point would you take it upon yourself to disturb the burrow and check in? Thanks

What size? And how big was its abdomen?

 

[Lilin Hemlock]

I got "her" as a sling last November. She's molted twice in my care. The last molt was April 14th. Was eating regularly before closing herself in.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I got "her" as a sling last November. She's molted twice in my care. The last molt was April 14th. Was eating regularly before closing herself in.

That doesn’t say her legpsan ? Pics plz..

 

[kingshockey]

Hello everyone, I have a G. Pulchra. He/She has been buried since around July 5th. I know they tend to bury themselves for long periods of time, but I am getting concerned. I continue to fill the water dish, and throw a cricket in every now and then, but "she" never eats. At what point would you take it upon yourself to disturb the burrow and check in? Thanks

you dont check you wait i made the mistake of over feeding some of my slings when i first began keeping ts and ended up having a couple fast for more than 12 months. just make sure its water dish is full it will open up shop again when its ready. that aside since your stuck waiting and staring at a box of dirt. now is the time to buy more slings

 

[Gevo]

It’s very common for this species to do that. Normally, the advice is to wait it out.

- As Viper asked, what size was it in diagonal leg span, and how plump was it when it went in?
- Can you see into the burrow through a side window to see if the abdomen size is okay?
- You say you try feeding a cricket every now and again. If there’s a chance the spider is molting, never put live prey in. Leave something pre killed by the entrance instead.

Tom’s Big Spiders just did a podcast episode on G. pulchra care a week ago and addresses slings burrowing for extended periods of time. I recommend you check it out.

 

[cold blood]

Its best to house slow growing slings in a small, simple enclosure that doesn't allow them to burrow away like this. These things grow slowly enough, there is no need to exacerbate the situation.....a sling that burrows away and hides 1. doesn't eat regularly, 2. cannot be monitored, 3 grows much much slower as a result.

IMG_0472

• cold blood
• Feb 7, 2017

Keep your small terrestrial slings like this.

 

[Lilin Hemlock]

That doesn’t say her legpsan ? Pics plz..

I don't have a picture. Leg span was approx. 1.5". Abdomen was full, but not loosing hairs.

Its best to house slow growing slings in a small, simple enclosure that doesn't allow them to burrow away like this. These things grow slowly enough, there is no need to exacerbate the situation.....a sling that burrows away and hides 1. doesn't eat regularly, 2. cannot be monitored, 3 grows much much slower as a result.

IMG_0472

• cold blood
• Feb 7, 2017

Keep your small terrestrial slings like this.

She was in a 4x4" enclosure, but seemed pretty restless with the lack of substrate to burrow. I was also concerned about lack of space to molt. I relocated her to a 6wx4dx8L" enclosure.

It’s very common for this species to do that. Normally, the advice is to wait it out.

- As Viper asked, what size was it in diagonal leg span, and how plump was it when it went in?
- Can you see into the burrow through a side window to see if the abdomen size is okay?
- You say you try feeding a cricket every now and again. If there’s a chance the spider is molting, never put live prey in. Leave something pre killed by the entrance instead.

Tom’s Big Spiders just did a podcast episode on G. pulchra care a week ago and addresses slings burrowing for extended periods of time. I recommend you check it out.

Thanks, I really like Tom's channel. I didn't realize there was a podcast as well.
And, she well fed but not loosing hairs when she burrowed. No I cannot see her. The crickets have to access to the burrow, so I wasn't concerned about harm during molting.

you dont check you wait i made the mistake of over feeding some of my slings when i first began keeping ts and ended up having a couple fast for more than 12 months. just make sure its water dish is full it will open up shop again when its ready. that aside since your stuck waiting and staring at a box of dirt. now is the time to buy more slings

Resisting the urge to buy more. There's an expo coming up in November

 

[TheraMygale]

Yeah… thats a big enclosure. Even if it looks desperate to dig, doesnt mean it needs to. Thats what they do.

1.5” inch with small carapace? My g pulchripes are about an inch and they are in 3x3s. Yes its a bit small, but i see my tarantulas in their burrows.

at my dealer, they keep their terrestrials in deli cups. They just move dirt back and forth all day. Its what they do.

i think your enclosure is too big. Doesnt mean thats why it burried itself.

they do that, and grow super slow.

Resisting the urge to buy more. There's an expo coming up in November

if a pulchra is getting you worried by being burried up, i recommend waiting until you get to know this tarantula before getting another.

get your husbandry at a good confident level, and youll be good to go. At first glance the enclosure looks appropriate. It might have too much space between soil to ceiling in certain areas.

 

[Lilin Hemlock]

Yeah… thats a big enclosure. Even if it looks desperate to dig, doesnt mean it needs to. Thats what they do.

1.5” inch with small carapace? My g pulchripes are about an inch and they are in 3x3s. Yes its a bit small, but i see my tarantulas in their burrows. View attachment 483563

at my dealer, they keep their terrestrials in deli cups. They just move dirt back and forth all day. Its what they do.

i think your enclosure is to big. Doesnt mean thats why it burried itself.

they do that, and grow super slow.




if a pulchra is getting you worried by being burried up, i recommend waiting until you get to know this tarantula before getting another.

get your husbandry at a good confident level, and youll be good to go. At first glance the enclosure looks appropriate. It might have too much space between soil to ceiling in certain areas.

I put a lot of effort into researching the species I own, thus i was well aware of their tendency to burrow for long periods. I have a care sheet set up, as well as a speadsheet for each of my Ts marking days molted, eaten, stopped eating, burrowed, etc.
The substrate is placed at a level to not cover the ventilation holes. The center of the enclosure has a buried circular piece of cork bank; which I'm sure is where she set up her underground abode.
The T size i mentioned is noted as legspan. Tip of front leg to tip of back leg on opposite site. Arguably I didn't take out a tape measure at any point and I haven't seen her in almost 3 months.
I don't have an in-person community that keeps inverts, and was looking for personal experiences for discussion. This hobby is of great interest to me, and I enjoy reading about and learning from others.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I put a lot of effort into researching the species I own, thus i was well aware of their tendency to burrow for long periods. I have a care sheet set up, as well as a speadsheet for each of my Ts marking days molted, eaten, stopped eating, burrowed, etc.
The substrate is placed at a level to not cover the ventilation holes. The center of the enclosure has a buried circular piece of cork bank; which I'm sure is where she set up her underground abode.
The T size i mentioned is noted as legspan. Tip of front leg to tip of back leg on opposite site. Arguably I didn't take out a tape measure at any point and I haven't seen her in almost 3 months.
I don't have an in-person community that keeps inverts, and was looking for personal experiences for discussion. This hobby is of great interest to me, and I enjoy reading about and learning from others.

Good news a hidden t is often happy !!! Observing it may be hard though unless it’s visible from the outside. I don’t give slings much room to dig .

 

[TheraMygale]

I put a lot of effort into researching the species I own, thus i was well aware of their tendency to burrow for long periods. I have a care sheet set up, as well as a speadsheet for each of my Ts marking days molted, eaten, stopped eating, burrowed, etc.
The substrate is placed at a level to not cover the ventilation holes. The center of the enclosure has a buried circular piece of cork bank; which I'm sure is where she set up her underground abode.
The T size i mentioned is noted as legspan. Tip of front leg to tip of back leg on opposite site. Arguably I didn't take out a tape measure at any point and I haven't seen her in almost 3 months.
I don't have an in-person community that keeps inverts, and was looking for personal experiences for discussion. This hobby is of great interest to me, and I enjoy reading about and learning from others.

i am sure you did your research. You asked a question so i am trying to do my best to give you answers that you can work with. I cant possibly know all the research you have done.

if substrate covers some holes its not a problem. It can be good: keeps moisture in check. Many of my enclosures have holes in the substrate levels to account for moisture. I want dry enclosures: i put holes to help with air circulation.

If substrate level was fine at first and tarantula changed it, you can add more.

dsl is important, but carapace size is too. Sometimes after a molt, the carapace gets bigger but they dont grow that much in dsl. I witnessed it in my own tarantulas. I find it makes a difference in overall size. A one inch sling with tiny carapace, vs a 1 inch sling with a larger carapace means its grown some. Thats my personnal observation.

even at looking at dozens of slings considered 1 inch at my dealer, their were significant differences.

if at any point my post came off as an attack, that was by far the last of my intentions.

get as many tarantulas as you want. We will be here to answer all your questions.

I don't have an in-person community that keeps inverts

turns out i dont either. We can become your community!

on another note, criticism is beneficial for you: you get answers. Some people get far less. They get called rude adjectives. Its a good sign when people take time to respond.

 

[cold blood]

Resisting the urge to buy more. There's an expo coming up in November

Or just buy from a local breeder, there are several in SE WI

Yeah… thats a big enclosure

I agree. At 1.5" I would be keeping it in a 16oz deli cup

I put a lot of effort into researching the species I own

Keep in mind, there are only a handful of ways to keep a tarantula...dont over think it, as this will only lead to over-complicating the relatively simple task of keeping a tarantula.

I have a care sheet set up,

I suggest avoiding care sheets, they are terrible places to learn from.

I don't have an in-person community that keeps inverts

You likely do, you just havent found them yet. Not sure where in WI you are but theres actually lots of us in the SE portion of the state and in the madison area, too.

 

[Lilin Hemlock]

Or just buy from a local breeder, there are several in SE WI
I agree. At 1.5" I would be keeping it in a 16oz deli cup

Keep in mind, there are only a handful of ways to keep a tarantula...dont over think it, as this will only lead to over-complicating the relatively simple task of keeping a tarantula.

I suggest avoiding care sheets, they are terrible places to learn from.

You likely do, you just havent found them yet. Not sure where in WI you are but theres actually lots of us in the SE portion of the state and in the madison area, too.

I should clarify, the care sheet I personally put together based on information thru knowledgeable person's in the hobby.
Yes, I have purchased from One Love Tarantulas at the SEWERfest show in Sturtevant previously. I buy local and avoid "pet stores".

 

[TheraMygale]

I should clarify, the care sheet I personally put together based on information thru knowledgeable person's in the hobby.
Yes, I have purchased from One Love Tarantulas at the SEWERfest show in Sturtevant previously. I buy local and avoid "pet stores".

This is good. You will get better quality tarantulas. Tarantulas in petshops are a sad thing. But by buying them, we don’t always help the cause. They sell tons of mature males to people who don’t know better.

 

[Lilin Hemlock]

i am sure you did your research. You asked a question so i am trying to do my best to give you answers that you can work with. I cant possibly know all the research you have done.

if substrate covers some holes its not a problem. It can be good: keeps moisture in check. Many of my enclosures have holes in the substrate levels to account for moisture. I want dry enclosures: i put holes to help with air circulation.

If substrate level was fine at first and tarantula changed it, you can add more.

dsl is important, but carapace size is too. Sometimes after a molt, the carapace gets bigger but they dont grow that much in dsl. I witnessed it in my own tarantulas. I find it makes a difference in overall size. A one inch sling with tiny carapace, vs a 1 inch sling with a larger carapace means its grown some. Thats my personnal observation.

even at looking at dozens of slings considered 1 inch at my dealer, their were significant differences.

if at any point my post came off as an attack, that was by far the last of my intentions.

get as many tarantulas as you want. We will be here to answer all your questions.




turns out i dont either. We can become your community!

on another note, criticism is beneficial for you: you get answers. Some people get far less. They get called rude adjectives. Its a good sign when people take time to respond.

I appreciate any and all information given. I did however want to at least state the effort I put in well in advance of taking responsibility over a new T. Someone previously had mentioned Tom's Big Spiders channel. I have followed his youtube for a long time. And earlier this month he put out a G.Pulchra video specifically stating he uncovered a burrow opening to feed a T that have buried, molted, and failed to resurface. This was my motive for posting the inquiry. Prior to his video, I'd always heard "never touch the burrow", but he did, and I do see him as a trusted source of information in the hobby. So, I was looking for supporting information. This forum is also an excellence source of information. And I do thank everyone for taking the time to reply.

 

[cold blood]

I should clarify, the care sheet I personally put together based on information thru knowledgeable person's in the hobby.

thats good to hear

I have purchased from One Love Tarantulas at the SEWERfest show in Sturtevant previously

Ive had a table there several times....been skipping it lately....I currently live pretty close to that show.

 

[Lilin Hemlock]

thats good to hear

Ive had a table there several times....been skipping it lately....I currently live pretty close to that show.

I really enjoy going to that show. Even if I'm not buying anything, it is always a good time. Everyone is so nice
Do you sell T's?

 

[cold blood]

Everyone is so nice

Yeah, its a good atmosphere

Do you sell T's?

I do.....I breed most of what i sell.