New keeper and not happy with enclosure. Should I rehouse?

[2pew5]

Hey,

I'm new to keeping tarantulas and I got my first T a few weeks back (a sub-adult green bottle blue called Nibbler).

I did do research beforehand, but there's a number of things I think I've done wrong in terms of set up.

1. The substrate doesn't seem to be right. I went with coconut coir as this seemed to be the most common recommendation. However, I wish I'd gone with something made for an arid tarantula as it seems to be too damp for my T. I don't know if it will dry with time. For the most part, Nibbler won't walk directly on it and moves around her* enclosure by climbing up the walls, over the decorations and on her webbing. There's white fluffy stuff next to her water bowl that seems to be mould (I am going to remove it, dw).
2. She won't use her hide. It's a coconut shell that I placed in the quiet, dark corner of her enclosure. It's been investigated thoroughly and promptly rejected. She definitely knows it's there because she went in and had a look around. She prefers to spend all her time out in the open on the elaborate web she's built on the other side of her enclosure. I don't know if this is normal for her species.
3. The enclosure itself is top opening. She's built webs on the hinges and freaks out whenever I try to open it. The lid closes really loudly. This spooks her every single time. This is made worse by my bad husbandry technique: when she gets skittish I have a tendency to panic and drop the lid. I'm worried this enclosure is causing both her and me unnecessary stress. I'm having difficulty doing maintenance as the second I open it I've got a stressed tarantula bolting around and kicking hairs at me. I really wish I'd gone for something side opening and cube shaped rather than what I have now (a cuboid rectangular enclosure).
4. I'm worried the enclosure doesn't have enough ventilation. I don't really have any particular evidence for this being the case, I'm just worried about it lol

*I say her, but I don't actually know her sex. I'm just hoping for a girl.

The things I am happy about are my choice of decor (some smooth stones and driftwood that she's having fun webbing up) and the fact I opted to give her a bit more ground space (she's an active wee thing, especially at night). It looks good too.

I don't know if I should buy a different enclosure and attempt to rehouse her, or leave it for a bit and see what happens.

As mentioned above, I'm a new keeper and I'm still a bit nervous around Nibbler due to her speed and unpredictable movements. I'm sure this will improve with time as I get to know her and my confidence increases, but at the moment I'm not certain I'm up to the challenge of a rehouse. I don't want to take it on unless it's absolutely necessary. Also, she only moved into her enclosure a few weeks back. I don't want to destroy all her webbing and make her feel insecure by moving her again so soon.

What would those more experienced than me recommend?

 

[FatBadBay]

Can you upload a picture of the enclosure. Her behavior seems normal for a T. Not all Ts will use the hides we give them. The fact that she's webbing up her enclosure is a good sign that she's content enough with her environment.

 

[Mustafa67]

Hey,

I'm new to keeping tarantulas and I got my first T a few weeks back (a sub-adult green bottle blue called Nibbler).

I did do research beforehand, but there's a number of things I think I've done wrong in terms of set up.

1. The substrate doesn't seem to be right. I went with coconut coir as this seemed to be the most common recommendation. However, I wish I'd gone with something made for an arid tarantula as it seems to be too damp for my T. I don't know if it will dry with time. For the most part, Nibbler won't walk directly on it and moves around her* enclosure by climbing up the walls, over the decorations and on her webbing. There's white fluffy stuff next to her water bowl that seems to be mould (I am going to remove it, dw).
2. She won't use her hide. It's a coconut shell that I placed in the quiet, dark corner of her enclosure. It's been investigated thoroughly and promptly rejected. She definitely knows it's there because she went in and had a look around. She prefers to spend all her time out in the open on the elaborate web she's built on the other side of her enclosure. I don't know if this is normal for her species.
3. The enclosure itself is top opening. She's built webs on the hinges and freaks out whenever I try to open it. The lid closes really loudly. This spooks her every single time. This is made worse by my bad husbandry technique: when she gets skittish I have a tendency to panic and drop the lid. I'm worried this enclosure is causing both her and me unnecessary stress. I'm having difficulty doing maintenance as the second I open it I've got a stressed tarantula bolting around and kicking hairs at me. I really wish I'd gone for something side opening and cube shaped rather than what I have now (a cuboid rectangular enclosure).
4. I'm worried the enclosure doesn't have enough ventilation. I don't really have any particular evidence for this being the case, I'm just worried about it lol

*I say her, but I don't actually know her sex. I'm just hoping for a girl.

The things I am happy about are my choice of decor (some smooth stones and driftwood that she's having fun webbing up) and the fact I opted to give her a bit more ground space (she's an active wee thing, especially at night). It looks good too.

I don't know if I should buy a different enclosure and attempt to rehouse her, or leave it for a bit and see what happens.

As mentioned above, I'm a new keeper and I'm still a bit nervous around Nibbler due to her speed and unpredictable movements. I'm sure this will improve with time as I get to know her and my confidence increases, but at the moment I'm not certain I'm up to the challenge of a rehouse. I don't want to take it on unless it's absolutely necessary. Also, she only moved into her enclosure a few weeks back. I don't want to destroy all her webbing and make her feel insecure by moving her again so soon.

What would those more experienced than me recommend?

What’s the question? and can you show pics of the whole setup?

 

[2pew5]

What’s the question? and can you show pics of the whole setup?

The question is "Should I rehouse my tarantula considering the issues described?"

The dimensions of the habitat are 38cm × 25cm × 19cm.

 

[Mustafa67]

The question is "Should I rehouse my tarantula considering the issues described?"

The dimensions of the habitat are 38cm × 25cm × 19cm.

The sub should be dry, more of it and less clutter

 

[2pew5]

The sub should be dry, more of it and less clutter

I figured that the substrate probably shouldn't be wet. I haven't been misting it, it's just like that. There is about 7 - 10 cm worth of it in depth depending on the area of the enclosure (I measured when I was putting it in).

Given that it's not drying out and I don't actually like the design of the enclosure itself, should I rehouse her despite not feeling at all confident about doing so?

Can you upload a picture of the enclosure. Her behavior seems normal for a T. Not all Ts will use the hides we give them. The fact that she's webbing up her enclosure is a good sign that she's content enough with her environment.

I've posted a picture further down in the thread.

 

[Mike Withrow]

Just let the substrate dry out. I'm not a fan of those type enclosures but, it'll work. That white stuff you see is typical when using coco and it gets damp. It will not harm your tarantula.

It's webbing up . Typical of that species.

 

[FatBadBay]

I personally wouldn't bother to rehouse her, the substrate will eventually dry out and she seems content with it. If that's the same enclosure they sell at petco/petsmart, just be keep an eye out for warping. I was thinking about getting one until I read some reviews.

 

[2pew5]

I personally wouldn't bother to rehouse her, the substrate will eventually dry out and she seems content with it. If that's the same enclosure they sell at petco/petsmart, just be keep an eye out for warping. I was thinking about getting one until I read some reviews.

I got it on Amazon. I checked and it had good reviews on there. I'm not in the states so idk if it's the same as the one at petco/petsmart. Thanks for the tip tho, I'll keep an eye out for warping.

Also thank you to everyone in the thread for the advice. I'll keep her where she is for now and see how things go

 

[TLSizzle]

Nibbler looks to me like a MM:

So no matter what you do with the enclosure, he'll only care about roaming around. And will naturally be on the more skittish side.

 

[FatBadBay]

I didn't even notice the hooks. Good eye

 

[viper69]

If it’s not the right setup change it

 

[2pew5]

Nibbler looks to me like a MM:
View attachment 475669
So no matter what you do with the enclosure, he'll only care about roaming around. And will naturally be on the more skittish side.

The males usually die soon after reaching maturity, right?

Nibbler is eating well (2 to 3 crickets every 6 to 10 days) and seems to be a lot smaller than the pictures of GBBs I've seen online so I'm guessing he's got some time left?

 

[TLSizzle]

Some live months, some live years after maturity. You seem like you are taking great care, so I'm hopeful that he goes a long while with you!

 

[cold blood]

absolutely nothing you are worried about is a real concern.