LP's unusual behavior

[ncstarr]

hi everyone just got a quick question

ive got an LP I'm unsure of age but legspan is about 3.5 " I'm fairly sure he's male although he's not as yet moulted for me to check more definitively I keep him at room temp about 78 degrees and at about 75 humidity anyway for the past 3 month since I got him he's always been nice and docile and I have handled him on a rare occasion he'd never used a threat pose or flicked any hairs the perfect gentleman until about 3 weeks ago and has now decided he doesn't want me to change his water or open his tank or even walk past for that matter could anyone suggest any reason for his unexpected defensiveness I was thinking maybe he was due a moult so this could be why but as he is still very active, very hungry and his bald patch on his abdomen still seems a pinkish colour I'm not to sure any help appreciated

 

[sasker]

Normal LP behaviour, I would say. They do what they want. After her last molt, mine was very shy and reclusive. Over time she became more bolt and stayed out in the open more. I can imagine that she will be less stressed when I refill the water bowl in the near future. Perhaps you mistake 'aggression' when you refill the water bowl for a stronger feeding response? Some of my more feisty tarantulas like to jump in to the trickle of water as if is a prey item that tries to get away

Do you have a good reason to handle your tarantula - besides your own enjoyment? Because for sure your tarantula does not get anything out of it. Perhaps your tarantula is just generally stressed from not being left alone, hence the more defensive behaviour.

Lasiodoras are not known to be the most docile genus. I think your spider just wants to tell you he is a hands-off tarantula and he wants to be left alone. It could be because he is close to a molt, or just because that's what LPs do. Either way, I suggest to just leave him alone and enjoy your tarantula without touching it. This is IMO the best way to avoid getting tagged or haired by him. Success!

 

[Charlottesweb17]

I have 2 juveniles and one new sling. Never handled any of them. They are happy I am happy it's a good relationship! The only thing I get attention for is Thursday feeding day! Lol!

 

[beaker41]

My LP's have always had a great feeding response, even when trying to rehouse them they want to murder my paintbrush. I think t's activity level and response to handling has more to do with the timing of their molt cycle than individual temperament. It makes perfect sense that for an animal that sheds its entire skin once a year you are going to have a cycle of behavior. molt -> less activity while breaking in the new body-> highly active and feeding aggressively filling out the new body-> less active and eating less just maintaining weight-> very inactive and no eating getting ready for the next molt.
I'd guess a t is going to respond quite differently to handling depending on when you catch them in that cycle. Certainly there are times when your t is at even further risk from handling, likely when they are most vulnerable at the start and end of the cycle and may not have the energy to resist. Imho handling is for rookies, once you've handled one you've handled them all, but it can be a good experience for people new to the hobby and adds to the fun of connecting with your pet. It's something that can be done safely but unfortunately the people new to the hobby who find it appealing don't always have enough information to approach it correctly.

 

[ncstarr]

thanks for your replies.
I don't think I worded my original question very well
I am in agreement with you all on the handling subject handling is not something I make a habit of. When I say I've handled him on a rare occasion I'm talking the day before I bought him and once shortly after when I made a mistake and put him in his new enclosure with spider life substrate which was too damp for him and he refused to walk on it. I laser cut a new lid at work with better ventilation hoping the substrate would dry out on its own, it was taking far too long and I felt bad seeing him stuck to the side of the glass all the time.So I made the decision to swap to coco husk,since then I've left him be.
He was a little skittish when I handled him and it was plain to see he didn't enjoy being handled, I don't get enjoyment out of forcing an animal its much more interesting watching him from the other side of the glass.
I was just confused by his sudden defensiveness as he never minded me opening his lid or changing water up until 3 weeks ago he's still like this even after his weekly feed. so I didn't think this was down to a feeding response.Id like to think that he is more settled now he's dug himself an impressive burrow and doesn't like me poking around in what he now considers home.

 

[Anoplogaster]

It sounds to me like the spider is still adjusting. From personal experience, they tend to be more defensive once they start to establish territory. In a new environment, they may just huddle and be frightened. Also, as stated above, a strong feeding response is often mistaken for aggression. Aggression in any T is debatable. They are either defending themselves, or they are hungry. It's worth noting that feeding response also gets stronger as a spider settles in.

 

[ncstarr]

thanks that sounds about right to me so I guess him being more defensive is a good thing if it means he's establishing territory although I am a little unsure of what exactly a feeding response would constitute I feed him every Saturday and he will try to strike the tongs when he detects a small movement (I presumed this to be what is known as a feeding response)but say I open his lid on the sunday he will fly out and show me his fangs but he wouldn't strike if I offered him food so id of thought this was him defending his territory or could this still be considered a feeding response

 

[Corcor]

I only have 1.5in slings, 2 Lp and 2 Ld, but they're already starting to show some boldness. Had them all since they were 1/4in, so I can only assume this is normal and will continue to progress. When I used to remove the lid they would go to a corner, now they know it's feeding time! Really cool species to watch grow, and take on more than pinheads!