How to know if you're doing a good job?

[JuvenileHobbyist]

As the title says.
It's quite an odd question but with most animals there are clear signs and body language/ communication to see if you're actually taking care of them properly.

What signs or body language should i look for in a T to know if all i'm doing so far has been good enough?

 

[Smotzer]

Eating and molting normal, no fall risk in enclosure, not handling, no unnatural deaths, appropriately sized enclosure, exhibiting normal behavior per spevies and not constant stress pose are some to think of.

the thing is that tarantulas have the ability to survive in a wide variety of conditions including subpar conditions. The best thing you can do if you’re not sure is to get your info from here, post questions and give how you keep them post pictures of enclosures so members can help make sure you are hood yo go.

 

[VaporRyder]

Awesome question!

Personally, I would say that if your animals look healthy (body weight and proportions, abdomen hair etc) and are functioning normally you’re winning!

Can’t wait to hear from the really experienced keepers here!

 

[JuvenileHobbyist]

I mean i think i'm doing oke? all my species except my N. Chromatus are burrowed in. 3 have moulted from what i've seen by peeking a bit.
My Chromatus has shown signs of pre-moult but she's incredibly chill. of course a bit skittish.

For some reason i saw the sign of them washing their fangs and legs as ''happy behavior'' as with most rodents or cats. but i guess that's just me thinking it's cute...

 

[VaporRyder]

I’ve seen both my L.parahybana and P.metallica ‘preen’. Pretty sure it’s ok - but I initially panicked and thought at first that they had some sort of neurological condition…

 

[JuvenileHobbyist]

I’ve seen both my L.parahybana and P.metallica ‘preen’. Pretty sure it’s ok - but I initially panicked and thought at first that they had some sort of neurological condition…

I had the luxury to see all my species groom themselves. usually a bit after a meal. it's a delight to see that and i took it as a compliment to my husbandry so far haha.

Eating and molting normal, no fall risk in enclosure, not handling, no unnatural deaths, appropriately sized enclosure, exhibiting normal behavior per spevies and not constant stress pose are some to think of.

the thing is that tarantulas have the ability to survive in a wide variety of conditions including subpar conditions. The best thing you can do if you’re not sure is to get your info from here, post questions and give how you keep them post pictures of enclosures so members can help make sure you are hood yo go.

tonight i'm going to rewater all my enclosure anyway. i'll send pictures of how i've set the enclosures up so far and open myself up for adjustments.
They are a bit bare though as i have no plants yet.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Are they eating?
Growing?
Pooping?
Molting?

Is their physical appearance that of a healthy specimen?
Are their movements fluid and controlled?
Do they act like they own the place or are they fearful and exhibiting signs of obvious stress?

If you can answer these questions and feel reassured, you're doing a good job.

 

[JuvenileHobbyist]

Are they eating?
Growing?
Pooping?
Molting?

All but one has eaten something so far. and 2 others have just eaten once so far in my care before they burrowed in.
I've had 3 molts. so i'd say yes to growing.
I can more actively look for excrement but i've spotted poop in 2 enclosures.
3 molts. 1 visible pre-molt.
I'd say so. they have some bald spots here and there but look healthy outside of that.
So far when i've seen them move outside of quick skittish behaviour they seem to move normal and relaxed.
My understanding of stress signs is rather low. so far i've seen only 1 species actively climb the lid and walls before burrowing herself in. i've tried a lot with her but i couldn't get her down. 2 others are active bulldozers before 1 burrowed herself in.

For clarification i have 6 Enclosures and 4 different species.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

All but one has eaten something so far. and 2 others have just eaten once so far in my care before they burrowed in.
I've had 3 molts. so i'd say yes to growing.
I can more actively look for excrement but i've spotted poop in 2 enclosures.
3 molts. 1 visible pre-molt.
I'd say so. they have some bald spots here and there but look healthy outside of that.
So far when i've seen them move outside of quick skittish behaviour they seem to move normal and relaxed.
My understanding of stress signs is rather low. so far i've seen only 1 species actively climb the lid and walls before burrowing herself in. i've tried a lot with her but i couldn't get her down. 2 others are active bulldozers before 1 burrowed herself in.

For clarification i have 6 Enclosures and 4 different species.

All those things are highly variable but as long as they're doing them.
Often, stressed spiders will be squinched up in a corner with their face covered. Exploring and doing housework are good signs.
If you are worried about your setups or just want second opinions, you can always post pictures.

 

[JuvenileHobbyist]

All those things are highly variable but as long as they're doing them.
Often, stressed spiders will be squinched up in a corner with their face covered. Exploring and doing housework are good signs.
If you are worried about your setups or just want second opinions, you can always post pictures.

I will! i'm gonna make pictures of all of them after refilling their water so i'll be posting that later today and ask for second opinions.
Thanks for all the help.

 

[mack1855]

A full abdomen,fully extended legs,and bolting and threat posturing .
Your doing good.

 

[Smotzer]

i'll send pictures of how i've set the enclosures up so far and open myself up for adjustments.

Sounds good!! The pictures should be the entire enclosures by the way

 

[sasker]

I pride myself for rarely having bald spots on my NWs. Of course, some species kick more easily than others, but if all your spiders are bald it means you are messing too much with them, or they feel disturbed very often.

 

[JuvenileHobbyist]

I pride myself for rarely having bald spots on my NWs. Of course, some species kick more easily than others, but if all your spiders are bald it means you are messing too much with them, or they feel disturbed very often.

I do wish to state to that that the bald spots were there on arrival. I've actually never seen them kick around me only 1 kicked once when she was fresh out of the package and started to walk out of her enclosure when working on it. had to guide her a bit.

 

[JuvenileHobbyist]

Here are the pics of my lovely collection of empty plastic boxes!
I only have 2 different set-ups for my spiders. for bigger juvis and smaller juvis


I use these enclosures for my smaller juvis that arrived size 2,5 - 3 Cm BL
I house my N. Chromatus (F), B. Albiceps (F) and 1 G. Pulchra (F) in these enclosures.
B. Albiceps and G. Pulchra both moulted and are burrowed inside.
My N. Chromatus seems to need a rehouse tho as she digs a lot all the way to the bottom of the enclosure and doesn't have a lot of room to move around
I'll get better pics of the N Chromatus enclosure if needed. i have some at the ready.


I use these enclosures for my bigger juvis that arrive size 5+ Cm BL
I house my G. Pulchra (M), B. Hamorii (F) and B. Hamorii (M) in these enclosures.
G. Pulchra has moulted and all 3 are burrowed inside.
My B. Hamorii (F) Struggled to settle in in these. she's been stuck to the lid and walls before burrowing inside.

I give all my enclosures the same husbandry and when housed in similar enclosures they also look almost the same.
Only for my N. Chromatus i change things. overflowing the water dish every 2 weeks for higher humidity.

I feed every week based on their abdomen size and refresh their water dishes every 2 weeks or when empty.
I feed them L. Lateralis that feed on Oranges, Carrots and fish flakes.

That's all the detail i can give on my husbandry skills. sorry for the long post and thanks for the help in advance!
I'm open for all sorts of criticism.

 

[Stardust1986]

As the title says.
It's quite an odd question but with most animals there are clear signs and body language/ communication to see if you're actually taking care of them properly.

What signs or body language should i look for in a T to know if all i'm doing so far has been good enough?

A healthy sized abdomen is a good indicator, a happy tarantula is peaceful and doesnt do much of anything, if you have plenty of hiding spots, no mold, good humity and ventilation, your tarantula will be happy and healthy : )

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Here are the pics of my lovely collection of empty plastic boxes!
I only have 2 different set-ups for my spiders. for bigger juvis and smaller juvis

View attachment 390063 View attachment 390064
I use these enclosures for my smaller juvis that arrived size 2,5 - 3 Cm BL
I house my N. Chromatus (F), B. Albiceps (F) and 1 G. Pulchra (F) in these enclosures.
B. Albiceps and G. Pulchra both moulted and are burrowed inside.
My N. Chromatus seems to need a rehouse tho as she digs a lot all the way to the bottom of the enclosure and doesn't have a lot of room to move around
I'll get better pics of the N Chromatus enclosure if needed. i have some at the ready.

View attachment 390065 View attachment 390066
I use these enclosures for my bigger juvis that arrive size 5+ Cm BL
I house my G. Pulchra (M), B. Hamorii (F) and B. Hamorii (M) in these enclosures.
G. Pulchra has moulted and all 3 are burrowed inside.
My B. Hamorii (F) Struggled to settle in in these. she's been stuck to the lid and walls before burrowing inside.

I give all my enclosures the same husbandry and when housed in similar enclosures they also look almost the same.
Only for my N. Chromatus i change things. overflowing the water dish every 2 weeks for higher humidity.

I feed every week based on their abdomen size and refresh their water dishes every 2 weeks or when empty.
I feed them L. Lateralis that feed on Oranges, Carrots and fish flakes.

That's all the detail i can give on my husbandry skills. sorry for the long post and thanks for the help in advance!
I'm open for all sorts of criticism.

I don't see any glaring problems but the enclosures are large and there's no cover aside from the hides. This is why your spiders are dug in. It shouldn't be a problem with proper care and attention but your odds of seeing a lot of them are low.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

I judge my care by “a happy tarantula is an invisible tarantula.” Since I only keep ground dwelling species, my goal is to do my best to make sure they are hidden out of view for the majority of the time.

 

[Stardust1986]

I judge my care by “a happy tarantula is an invisible tarantula.” Since I only keep ground dwelling species, my goal is to do my best to make sure they are hidden out of view for the majority of the time.

If you find you have a pet hole, your good : )

 

[JuvenileHobbyist]

I don't see any glaring problems but the enclosures are large and there's no cover aside from the hides. This is why your spiders are dug in. It shouldn't be a problem with proper care and attention but your odds of seeing a lot of them are low.

What would you recommend to do then? Add more hiding spots and more places to make a burrow?