HELP Tarantula upside down will it be ok?

[Antiant]

hmmm she moves around and dips her fangs into the water but her lungs are in it too, should I remove some water so that she doesn't drown?

Ok I removed some water so that her lungs aren't covered anymore.

little update, she's definitely more active now and she doesn't lean when she stops walking. She does do the weird lean when she drinks but that's probably because the sand is wet.

 

[sasker]

If it were my tarantula, I would have taken it out of its enclosure and put it in a temporary small enclosure with a water dish and some paper towels. Just place it with its fangs in the water and place it back into a proper enclosure once it has recuperated.

As for the terrarium, I would not use sand as substrate. The easiest for you would be to use cocofibre. Other options are available, but you need to do some research. Don't provide too much space between the substrate and the lid of the enclosure to avoid risk of fall damage. In your case, it should not be more than 7-8 inches. Provide a water dish, don't use heat mats/heat lamps etc. Don't let crickets or other food in the enclosure if the tarantula doesn't eat them.

These are the biggest beginner mistakes I could think of, but this is far from all there is to know about keeping tarantulas

My best tip is this: DON'T EVER LISTEN TO ADVICE FROM PET SHOP EMPLOYEES. THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!

Really, we have seen so often that keepers come to Arachnoboard with questions why their tarantulas are at death's door, and often it is because they do exactly what the pet shop told them.

Do your own research, ask here on AB if you can't find your answer. There is really a lot of information to be found here. Just use the search option in the upper right-hand corner.

Welcome to Arachnoboards

 

[Neonblizzard]

Yikes. I think this is proof that G.Rosea are indestructible gods in spider form. How often / how much do you feed her? Because that one is so so thin

 

[Doodlebird]

Like others said, give it some water. I would recommend ignoring what pet store employees say, since sadly they often aren't educated well on most exotic animals. I think it's a mistake we've all made at some point, but always do your own research

 

[Crazyarachnoguy]

I haven’t read every reply, but get her off the sand if anyone hasn’t told you already.

 

[Edan bandoot]

Imagine if someone bought a dog and did the equivalent :/

 

[Neonblizzard]

Imagine if someone bought a dog and did the equivalent :/

Tbh, its neglect.

 

[Poonjab]

At Op. any updates?

 

[sasker]

Yeah, show us the new enclosure!

 

[Jammyja]

@Antiant Any updates?

 

[Neonblizzard]

Must have died. poor thing.

 

[Antiant]

whoops sorry I wasn't paying much attention to the thread lol, she seems to be doing fine but I spotted her dragging her abdomen on the substrate. Here's the new enclosure.

EDIT: She's been in her for a week and 2 days now I noticed her dragging her abdomen 2 days ago.

 

[Sambro]

oh dear, how do I give it water?

Also, make sure you have a water dish at all times, they like to drink then and again and a water dish will allow for it to drink on its own accordance.

Most others would advise more substrate too in case the T climbs and has a fall.
Coco Fibre can work well, just make sure you dry it out before adding (Mix up the sand with the Substrate) and allowing for any burrows it may want to make also.

If you got it from a pet shop, do more research! Pet shops aren't too clued up about T's and can give bad advice. Keep reaching out to other keepers and learn more about your species. But please get a water dish in there asap!

 

[LiamG]

whoops sorry I wasn't paying much attention to the thread lol, she seems to be doing fine but I spotted her dragging her abdomen on the substrate. Here's the new enclosure.

EDIT: She's been in her for a week and 2 days now I noticed her dragging her abdomen 2 days ago.

View attachment 386897

When she's better give her more substrate.
Atm i would just lightly wet one corner of the enclosure and give her a easier accessible/ lower water dish.


Im not an expert.
Experts feel free to correct me were im wrong.

 

[Table]

When she's better give her more substrate.

Alot more substrate, I'd at least fill that half way.

DO SOME RESEARCH anything you read here on aracnobards would tell you she needs alot more sub.

 

[vicareux]

Or better yet,instead of buying an insane amount of substrate just to fill that enclosure,rehouse her into a smaller enclosure.

 

[ErinM31]

As has been stated, a LOT more substrate would be required for this T in this large a terrarium (you don’t want them to fall much further than than diagonal legspan or there is the risk of fatal injury). Easier will be to get a much smaller enclosure — any of various smaller Kritter Keeper / ExoTerra / etc. terraria or even a plastic storage container with ventilation added. Even then, the T will be much more comfortable with more than just a dusting of substrate, at least an inch, maybe the bottom third of the enclosure if it were appropriately sized. In a relative giant one you would need to fill it halfway at least for the T’s safety.

You can use a bottlecap from a waterbottle or anything similar for a waterdish in a smaller enclosure — no need to buy another although nothing wrong with doing so if you’d prefer. The tarantula should always have access to fresh water. Be prepared to change it often as many will put substrate and boluses in their water dish.

Do NOT heat the enclosure unless your house is colder than 54F or so. Seriously, if the temperature is comfortable for you, your T will be fine.

Do NOT use some sort of light or lamp in the enclosure or put in direct sunlight.

Disregard anything the pet store told you; I have no idea why they recommend setting up T’s like reptiles, unless it’s to sell more gadgets, etc. ... Follow the advice you’ll find on this forum and your T will do well!

 

[sasker]

Here's the new enclosure.

Tarantulas mostly rest their bodies on the ground when not moving. If it is really dragging its body, it could be because it has not really recovered from the terrible living conditions you kept it previously.

By the way, have you done any research about housing tarantulas, as was suggested?

This terrarium setup is totally wrong, as you should have known by now. You would have to fill this aquarium for 80% with substrate just to reduce fall risk to an acceptable level. Also, is the cover secure? I could be wrong, the picture is not very clear, but there seems to be a huge gap in the front of the cover. Tarantulas can climb, so it could easily escape (and fall to its death) through this hole. Also, the light in it should not be on.

The water dish is very big. It is also better for access to the water to have it sit flush with the substrate so the spider does not need to climb up the edge just to get a sip.

My suggestion: get rid of this aquarium for this tarantula. Buy a large Kritter Keeper, fill it for 50% with substrate, burrow the hide in it so your tarantula can walk down into its hide and use a much smaller water dish.

And last, but not least: Do your research! It's really not hard and the least you can do for your tarantula.

 

[Jammyja]

whoops sorry I wasn't paying much attention to the thread lol, she seems to be doing fine but I spotted her dragging her abdomen on the substrate. Here's the new enclosure.

Even this enclosure isn't right. Did you even take into consideration the advice from this thread?

 

[Table]

Poor girl :[