Hi guys. Over the last two days, I have a situation developed with Cyan (my 2" GBB), and some curious behaviour. I'd like to get your opinions please.
I'll describe:
Every now and then during the course of the day / night, she will start to have a bit of a scratch. Not like normal cleaning / grooming routines, and not like putting u-hairs down around her webbing either. It's different.
She'll be 'sitting' normally for a fair while, undisturbed, then will suddenly start scratching. Not always the same place, sometimes might be a leg, then a different leg, perhaps her abdomen, etc etc.
Now to me, I'm pretty sure it is not a mite issue. The enclosure is always bone dry (with a small water dish), and the humidity between 25-40%, which should be fine for a GBB. I've taken very close up macro shots of her, and there is nothing at all that I can see on her that could be causing problems.
In addition to that, if she did have something like some kind of mites, surely she would be itching much more regularly? This is only a few times a day we're talking about, like something has only just landed on her at that moment.
So, she itches suddenly every once in a while, and then does the little scurrying motions with her front legs like she's trying to gather up a prey item, but whatever it is is too small for her to catch. She'll then attempt to chase whatever it is (which would infer whatever it is have now left her again). Clearly something that she can 'see' / sense, but whatever it is, is too small for my eyesight.
The behaviour leads me to suspect the possibility that some kind of very small fly has gotten in there through the vent holes, which every now and then lands on her, annoying her, hence her responses outlined above.
I've taken the lid off for periods of time when I can be present to observe without her getting out, but seen nothing moving at all.
So, firstly, have you had similar experiences, and what caused them?
Secondly, if my fly theory is correct, do I just keep doing what I am, keeping lid off so it can get out, or any other advice you may have?
Thirdly, I hate seeing her uncomfortable, and want to help her. She's made such an awesome job of creating herself a great home in her enclosure, and put so much time and effort into her webbing, I'd really prefer not to have to move her into another to start all over, when she's still got another 2 or 3 moults in this one yet, size wise.
So, if it is a fly, what are the chances of it having laid eggs which could further disturb her later, and what kind of life cycle would such tiny flies have? I'm wondering if I just leave her a few days, will it die off anyway if it hasn't escaped by then?
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to be as clear as possible with the information I'm hoping you can help me with.
Thanks in advance for any advice you have to offer.
I'll describe:
Every now and then during the course of the day / night, she will start to have a bit of a scratch. Not like normal cleaning / grooming routines, and not like putting u-hairs down around her webbing either. It's different.
She'll be 'sitting' normally for a fair while, undisturbed, then will suddenly start scratching. Not always the same place, sometimes might be a leg, then a different leg, perhaps her abdomen, etc etc.
Now to me, I'm pretty sure it is not a mite issue. The enclosure is always bone dry (with a small water dish), and the humidity between 25-40%, which should be fine for a GBB. I've taken very close up macro shots of her, and there is nothing at all that I can see on her that could be causing problems.
In addition to that, if she did have something like some kind of mites, surely she would be itching much more regularly? This is only a few times a day we're talking about, like something has only just landed on her at that moment.
So, she itches suddenly every once in a while, and then does the little scurrying motions with her front legs like she's trying to gather up a prey item, but whatever it is is too small for her to catch. She'll then attempt to chase whatever it is (which would infer whatever it is have now left her again). Clearly something that she can 'see' / sense, but whatever it is, is too small for my eyesight.
The behaviour leads me to suspect the possibility that some kind of very small fly has gotten in there through the vent holes, which every now and then lands on her, annoying her, hence her responses outlined above.
I've taken the lid off for periods of time when I can be present to observe without her getting out, but seen nothing moving at all.
So, firstly, have you had similar experiences, and what caused them?
Secondly, if my fly theory is correct, do I just keep doing what I am, keeping lid off so it can get out, or any other advice you may have?
Thirdly, I hate seeing her uncomfortable, and want to help her. She's made such an awesome job of creating herself a great home in her enclosure, and put so much time and effort into her webbing, I'd really prefer not to have to move her into another to start all over, when she's still got another 2 or 3 moults in this one yet, size wise.
So, if it is a fly, what are the chances of it having laid eggs which could further disturb her later, and what kind of life cycle would such tiny flies have? I'm wondering if I just leave her a few days, will it die off anyway if it hasn't escaped by then?
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to be as clear as possible with the information I'm hoping you can help me with.
Thanks in advance for any advice you have to offer.