Juvenile L. Parahybana

[omarahmedbya]

So I’m new to the hobby and I recently bought a juvenile L. parahybana (it came last week). However, I noticed that 2 days ago, it dug up the front of the hide and covered it with the substrate. On top of that, it hasn’t eaten any of the black crickets I offered it before it covered its burrow so I removed them.

Is this bad that it has suddenly covered its burrow with substrate? I was very shocked at how much it covered and I never knew tarantulas, let alone juveniles, can just dig up substrate like dogs.

 

[Mustafa67]

So I’m new to the hobby and I recently bought a juvenile L. parahybana (it came last week). However, I noticed that 2 days ago, it dug up the front of the hide and covered it with the substrate. On top of that, it hasn’t eaten any of the black crickets I offered it before it covered its burrow so I removed them.

Is this bad that it has suddenly covered its burrow with substrate? I was very shocked at how much it covered and I never knew tarantulas, let alone juveniles, can just dig up substrate like dogs.

No, it sounds normal

 

[Brewser]

L. parahybana has retreated to safety, does not want to be disturbed.
Welcome to the ways of spiders, and welcome to Arachnoboards.
Keep the waterbowl filled, and be patient.

 

[omarahmedbya]

L. parahybana has retreated to safety, does not want to be disturbed.
Welcome to the ways of spiders, and welcome to Arachnoboards.
Keep the waterbowl filled, and be patient.

How long will it do this for? I’m worried it may starve to death.

Also, I use a heat pad, is that ok or not necessary for this species?

 

[A guy]

How long will it do this for? I’m worried it may starve to death.

Also, I use a heat pad, is that ok or not necessary for this species?

For however long it wants to. It won't.

No, remove. No tarantula needs a heat pad.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

You may want to start here:

Tarantula Information for Beginners (and More)

Below are some helpful resources. (Rather than having half a dozen or more pinned threads, which clutter the top of the board, we are pinning this index.) While the focus is on beginners, there are other threads on health and more advanced species that may be useful to more experienced keepers...

arachnoboards.com

Tarantulas can fast for months, some even a year or more. Blocking the hide means do not disturb. Keep the water dish full and you can dampen a corner of substrate near the burrow. Not flood the burrow.

The proper use of heat mats

Mods could you please make this a sticky as there's so much misinformation about heat mats? So heat mats are perfectly safe to use IF they're used properly. They're like a mini space heater when used properly. 1) Heat mats MUST be plugged into a thermostat. That's a thermostat NOT a...

arachnoboards.com

 

[kingshockey]

go to toms big spiders site then read and learn about how to care for your pet before you make a fatal mistake out of ignorance good luck

 

[omarahmedbya]

You may want to start here:

Tarantula Information for Beginners (and More)

Below are some helpful resources. (Rather than having half a dozen or more pinned threads, which clutter the top of the board, we are pinning this index.) While the focus is on beginners, there are other threads on health and more advanced species that may be useful to more experienced keepers...

arachnoboards.com

Tarantulas can fast for months, some even a year or more. Blocking the hide means do not disturb. Keep the water dish full and you can dampen a corner of substrate near the burrow. Not flood the burrow.

The proper use of heat mats

Mods could you please make this a sticky as there's so much misinformation about heat mats? So heat mats are perfectly safe to use IF they're used properly. They're like a mini space heater when used properly. 1) Heat mats MUST be plugged into a thermostat. That's a thermostat NOT a...

arachnoboards.com

But isn’t a juvenile too young to just block its hide up and not eat? I thought if they do do this, it is only the adults?

 

[Arachnophobphile]

But isn’t a juvenile too young to just block its hide up and not eat? I thought if they do do this, it is only the adults?

No, new world terrestrial juveniles will still stay in their burrows and sometimes seal it. Some will stay out in the open and this varies by genus, species and individuals.

Research, research and then when you've done a lot of research continue to do more. Arachnoculture is constantly evolving with new experiences that members share, new methods from rehousing to feeders to you name it. It's not something that you research once then you're done, it's constant. As soon as a person has a lapse in keeping up-to-date on research by reading you miss out on things like taxonomic revisions, new discoveries etc. etc.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

But isn’t a juvenile too young to just block its hide up and not eat? I thought if they do do this, it is only the adults?

Any age T when it’s had enough food to molt can bury itself away. Or sometimes, just because it wants to and will come out when it feels like it. Patience is a virtue taught by T’s.

 

[viper69]

So I’m new to the hobby and I recently bought a juvenile L. parahybana (it came last week). However, I noticed that 2 days ago, it dug up the front of the hide and covered it with the substrate. On top of that, it hasn’t eaten any of the black crickets I offered it before it covered its burrow so I removed them.

Is this bad that it has suddenly covered its burrow with substrate? I was very shocked at how much it covered and I never knew tarantulas, let alone juveniles, can just dig up substrate like dogs.

No

Ts of any size function just like adults

 

[Wolfram1]

thats why we feed based on abdomen size and not by increment, if a spider has amassed enough reserves it may stop eating.

this does not mean it is starving, it is simply using the fat reserves it has built up in the abdomen

L. parahybana is increadibly hardy on top of that.


the more information you provide the better answers you can get on AB. pictures always help.

 

[omarahmedbya]

So I posted before that my L.parahybana juvenile had basically dug up the substrate and blocked up the hide with the substrate and it’s been like this for at least a week now. I today noticed that it is dug up a whole from the side of the hide (the right side). I’m really worried it’s trying to get out but it can’t. So should I aid it by opening a hole?

 

[sparticus]

Nope. It can get out, it just doesn't want to. Best to leave it alone until it comes out on its own, probably it will be after it molts. They can stay buried a very long time, and it's totally normal so don't worry about it.

 

[Cmac2111]

Everything described here is completely normal tarantula behavior, it could certainly get out if it wanted to. The blocked hide means it wants to be left alone so oblige it, could be buried for a good long while yet who knows just wait & see.

 

[Mustafa67]

So I posted before that my L.parahybana juvenile had basically dug up the substrate and blocked up the hide with the substrate and it’s been like this for at least a week now. I today noticed that it is dug up a whole from the side of the hide (the right side). I’m really worried it’s trying to get out but it can’t. So should I aid it by opening a hole?

Normal

Needs more sub

 

[omarahmedbya]

Everything described here is completely normal tarantula behavior, it could certainly get out if it wanted to. The blocked hide means it wants to be left alone so oblige it, could be buried for a good long while yet who knows just wait & see.

if that’s the case, then why does it keep digging holes from the right and left instead of digging out from the front of the hide where it blocked it with substrate?

Normal

Needs more sub

Please elaborate. How much?

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

So I posted before that my L.parahybana juvenile had basically dug up the substrate and blocked up the hide with the substrate and it’s been like this for at least a week now. I today noticed that it is dug up a whole from the side of the hide (the right side). I’m really worried it’s trying to get out but it can’t. So should I aid it by opening a hole?

Normal behavior one of mine did this last year.

 

[sparticus]

if that’s the case, then why does it keep digging holes from the right and left instead of digging out from the front of the hide where it blocked it with substrate?

Because it's making a private underground burrow. It's not trying to come out, it's making more space for itself underground. Spider knows what it's doing, leave it alone and let it make the burrow the way it wants. This is why people get multiple spiders, so you have another to interact with while one goes underground for a month or two or six. It will probably get hungry again a couple weeks after molting. Until then it's gonna be real boring.

 

[Brewser]

Subterranean Excavation Underway.
Reconstruction, Making an Empty Encosure a Suitable Home.
Enjoy the show.
Keep the Water Bowl Full.