Haplopelma lividum Non Burrower?

[Tym Hollerup]

So as some of you may know, I got new spiders in last Thursday (April, 15, 2011). Well after 1 day or so I noticed both my P. chordatus and P. lugardi dug themselves some very nice little burrows all the way to the bottom of their enclosures. However, my H. lividum hasn't done squat!!! So far she has done a pretty good amount of webbing on the left side of the enclosure. That's it though. :? So is she okay or what's the deal? Come to think of it... My E. murinus hasn't burrowed yet at all either. I think my pet holes are weird.

 

[Fingolfin]

Hey Tym, H. lividum can be slow to start a burrow. Mine took a few weeks to start, and then she was done in a day or so. I have read the same experience from other keepers as well.

 

[Hobo]

Try making a starter burrow for it. when I got mine, it didn't burrow or eat at all until I made it a starter burrow. He took to it overnight.

 

[AmbushArachnids]

Ive had a similar experience. My 5" female was kept on damp peat moss. She didnt dig a burrow for the first 3 months and would go inside a starter burrow but never stayed in for a long time. After about 5 months she finally took to a 3" starter burrow and dug about 8" down. Before that she was always in and out of a man made 1/2 24 oz cup burrow. Very non social sp. Just give her alot of damp substrate and some serious time to get used to her cage. She is most likely WC and needs more time to adjust than one may think.

 

[kutlu]

HAH! nah ok well this happened to me as well with my Selenocosmia Crassipes and selenocosmia crassipes require the same conditions as the h. lividum im pretty sure. well anyway i just misted extra and put alot more substrate in amped it up a little and BAAAM! it burrowed and its was all happy cute and fat snuggled in the corner all adorable, and it was a good 10 cm deep with webbed silk everywhere and i even picked her up and held her and petted her cute plump abdomen and she just relaxed then i put her back into her burrow and she happily ate a cricket as well an yer,. sorry for all the words lol:wall:

---------- Post added at 06:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:44 PM ----------

Also make sure its dark and right temp and dont disturb them make sure tey have every single requirement and she/he should make a wonderful burrow.

 

[BrynWilliams]

My H gigas have all done this at some point, when i rehouse them they sit 'stunned' on the surface, not moving much, and certainly not digging. A few days to a week go by and then they're no longer to be seen

Provided the setup is nice, i wouldnt worry too hard, just enjoy seeing them while you can oh and make sure you get photos.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

Try making a starter burrow for it. when I got mine, it didn't burrow or eat at all until I made it a starter burrow. He took to it overnight.

I was going to do a starter burrow, but I figured I'd leave things more "natural" for her.

 

[paassatt]

I was going to do a starter burrow, but I figured I'd leave things more "natural" for her.

I vote for making a starter burrow as well. Once they can feel that there is something in which they can hunker down and feel safe for a while, they will be encouraged to dig farther down after which you'll see it fewer and fewer times. My H. lividum stayed in a mini "security" burrow I'd started that was about 1.5x the leg span and after 2-3 weeks, it started heading for the bottom on its own.

 

[Hobo]

Yeah, with burrowers I've noticed they will take readily to starters, especially if they are longer than their legspan.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

Picture Time!!!

Here she is (at least I'm hoping it's a her). Her name is Jessica. She is SOOOO beautiful! I've been thinking of starting a burrow for her, but I still feel it's better to keep her in a more natural environment. Humidity is at 80% and I'm using a mixture of EcoEarth and All Natural 100% Horticultural Vermiculite. She's happy enough to web up a bit. Now just waiting for the burrow.

 

[paassatt]

At that size, your spider is going to need more substrate in which to dig to be comfortable. A lot more. And if you choose not to make a starter burrow for it, be prepared to see it scrunched up in the corner for a long while.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

At that size, your spider is going to need more substrate in which to dig to be comfortable. A lot more. And if you choose not to make a starter burrow for it, be prepared to see it scrunched up in the corner for a long while.

There's close to 7" of substrate in there. I made it like a hillside. 5.25" at a low up to 6.75" on the high end. She's (obviously) on the high end. If need be, she can always burrow sideways as well. That's what my P. chordatus did.

 

[jgod790]

My H. lividum thinks she is an arid species. She is not shy, and semi docile ( comparative to the lividums usual temperament anyway ). I pre dug her a 8 or 10 inch burrow, she has not touched it at all. I also dug her a cave, and she ignores it. She spends all her time out in the open. And she has not done any webbing at all.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

My H. lividum thinks she is an arid species. She is not shy, and semi docile ( comparative to the lividums usual temperament anyway ). I pre dug her a 8 or 10 inch burrow, she has not touched it at all. I also dug her a cave, and she ignores it. She spends all her time out in the open. And she has not done any webbing at all.

How long have you had her for now?

 

[jgod790]

How long have you had her for now?

Not to long, a month.

 

[fartkowski]

When I rehoused my adult H. lividum, it took her almost 4 months to start digging.
I made a starter burrow for her, but she decided she liked the other end of the enclosure better.
I wouldn't worry, she will burrow in no time.
At least You can get some pics while she is above ground.