How To Relocate Your Tarantula

[ThistleWind]

I tried doing some searches but I couldn't find anything on this particular question.

How do you physically relocate a tarantula? I know it is easier for some of the more yielding and docile species, but what if you need to rehouse an adult Cobalt Blue or KB?

I've heard some people refer to a "coke bottle" method, but I'd like more tips on this in a little more detail and I think other members can benefit too.

 

[gvfarns]

I'm not sure exactly what the coke bottle method is but everyone kind of has their own creative way. The basic idea is to coax them into a container or tube. That's usually pretty easy because when they are afraid they want to crawl into something. Someone said something about using a disposable tube or cup of some kind with just a small hole at the back. You get them to crawl into it, then when you want them out, you can blow gently into the hole. The T will flee the moving air and crawl out into their new enclosure. Of course, the devil is in the details, of which I have provided very few. I haven't worked with these two species so maybe someone has more specific advice. Like, how to get them to come out of their burrows.

 

[kingpin1189]

I think there are several ways to go about it. I just recently rehoused my female cobalt and she has a pretty nasty disposition. I did everything in the bathtub with the drain covered and a towel covering the bottom of the door.

I had thick work gloves on and long sleeves Wasn't taking any chances.

I have a variety of tools such as extra long forceps, extra long paintbrushes, etc. I used them to coax her out of her burrow. I then cupped her with a large deli. I then slid the lid on. She was in a threat pose and striking most of the time. Then I just put the whole thing in her new enclosure and used the forceps to pull the top off.

I saw a pretty detailed post on the coke bottle method on here I thought.

Hope that helps.

Chris

 

[ThistleWind]

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

gvfarns, I was just giving those names (CB and KB) as an example for a challenging T to rehouse.

I mean, to the novice arachnophile, coaxing an H. lividum out of a deep burrow seems like such a daunting task. Especially when you think it'll bite through the cup you're temporarily keeping it in!

 

[Moltar]

The challenge often lies much more in getting the T into a location where it can be cupped/bottled/whatever than the actual act of trapping and moving it.

Example: Burrowers like C crawshayi and H lividum need to be either flooded out, dug out or a combination of both. OBT's will be deep in their web tubes somewhere so you have to take the webbing all apart without getting tagged. Different species' individual habits can present unique challenges so it's hard to really answer your question without a given type of T in mind.

Generally though some variation of a cup works for the feisty ones and often the more docile guys can just be picked up and moved or sort of steered with a paintbrush into the new enclosure.

 

[Scott C.]

An alternative method to species such as obts is to just grab out their entire tube structure with them in it, and place it in the new container.... you can use forceps, or chop sticks, instead of your hands if you prefer.

You can also just set the two containers together in the middle of the floor, with your kritter keeper lid(my cupping tool of choice) handy just in case, and herd the t from one to the other... works for me more often than not without problems.

Seriously though dude, just use your best judgement based on your personal preference of things that need to be avoided at all cost(getting bit, harming the T, whatever), and move the bug from one box to another.

I will say that all rehousing done in the middle of an open space is more likely to end well.... I know people like the shower/tub thing, but if you really have to go through all that you might be more likely to be the jumpy type, and all kinds of bad things can happen to a jumpy person in a bathroom with a fast moving volatile animal... plus the cleanest of tubs is still nasty. My T's ain't touchin' 'em.

Good luck.

 

[Kid Dragon]

I will say that all rehousing done in the middle of an open space is more likely to end well.... I know people like the shower/tub thing, but if you really have to go through all that you might be more likely to be the jumpy type, and all kinds of bad things can happen to a jumpy person in a bathroom with a fast moving volatile animal... plus the cleanest of tubs is still nasty. My T's ain't touchin' 'em.
.

Actually, both of the bathtubs in my house are extremely clean. You must be a bachelor.

Having them loose in the bathtub is way better than having them loose under your bed, refrigerator, or couch.

This is the weak spot in the tarantula keeping hobby...they can move faster than you can react. And some species will defend their homes aggressively.

The paper towel roll trick, has them crawl into the empty roll, and then using long tweezer move the roll with the T inside.

The deli cup trick, has you trapping them under the deli cup and sliding a piece of cardboard or construction paper undernear, for a safe transfer.

The refrigerator trick, has you place them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to slow them down enough to make the transfer easier.

The friend trick, have them bite your friend, and transfer them while their fangs are full.

 

[jrmrbcax]

I just put a container over them and slide it up.

 

[Scott C.]

....

Whatever dude.... eat out of 'em. =P

Unless you disinfect after every flush of the toilet you're only blowin' a bit of comedy relief smoke (not bad either ), cuz your tub is as nasty as mine. Plus you have kids don't you?

You got years(and years) of supposed experience on me, but I've had no problems regarding your weak spot in the tarantula keeping hobby.... Some T's move faster than I can react? Agreed.... Knowing that, and how fast I can react, should be all I need to corral my bugs safely, and if history is any indicator, I'll stick with my methods, and recommend them to those who ask.....

For the record, ime Indian/African/Asian arboreals, and some true spiders, move faster than I can react, and require open space. I just recommend the open space thing for all because I don't assume my physical prowess/limits are shared by everyone ..... besides, how far has anyone seen a quick T teleport? I'd be interested to hear it, because ime the faster they get there the closer "there" tends to be (true spiders excepted).

Dig the paper towel roll trick though.... That's a good one. I'd bet some people will put that to use.

My apologies if you took/take my opinions on the tub personally.