New tarantula is sluggish. Normal?

[Abbey Serena]

I have a two-month-old Mexican Red Knee and just got her last Saturday. I say "her," but am actually unclear on gender, as she has not been sexed. I do not know when the pet shop that had her last fed her, but over the course of seven days, she has eaten 3 very small crickets (no bigger than my pinky finger nail) and she is about the size of a half-dollar with her legs tucked up. Two days ago, she went into her hidey (a half-log that is partially submerged in the soil/EE mixture) and has wedged herself all the way against the back of it, where it is completely dark. She has been with me for exactly one week and spent her first two days exploring her enclosure vigorously. My instincts are telling me that all is well and she may even be preparing for a molt. Her humidity and temperature have remained constant and comfortable for her. She has plenty of water all the time. I merely would like some reassurance that she is all right, or advice if something is actually wrong. Thanks in advance.

 

[Kitara]

My instincts are telling me that all is well...

Mine too. You'll want to post a picture of the spider and the enclosure if you want advice so those with more experience can see if there's a concern.

 

[Abbey Serena]

She looks huge in the picture, but she's actually quite little!

 

[Kitara]

She'd definitely adorable, but nowhere near two months old because of the coloring. This is what a baby looks like and this is over a year old (maybe 2). She's about 3/4"dls. Maybe the store meant that they had her two months.


Here's how to measure a T. DLS = diagonal leg span

 

[Abbey Serena]

I had no idea she was that old! I wasn't involved at all in the process of getting her from the pet store. My parents picked her up as an early Christmas gift and surprised me with her. I used to have a Rose-Haired and knew very little of her backstory, as well, other than that she was a science classroom pet and badly mishandled. She molted successfully once with me and passed during her second attempt. She was a spontaneous rescue due to the conditions she was kept in. I had her two years and read as much as I could, but I am still very much a novice. My parents knew how I loved Charlotte and ended up getting me Charlie. Despite everything I don't know, I try to keep them happy and healthy. No handling whatsoever and plenty of stimulating things like foliage and hideys provided. I appreciate any and all advice. I just want to do right by Charlie and learn how to best keep her. Your tarantulas are very cute, by the way.

 

[Kitara]

What a great gift! I'll admit I'm a wee bit jealous. I can't wait for mine to get adult coloring, but I know it will be a loooong time.

 

[fried rice]

Your tarantula is so cute!

 

[Abbey Serena]

Your tarantula is so cute!

Thank you! She's only been with me for a week and I already love her so much. She's so sweet.

 

[fried rice]

I might get a tarantula soon

 

[Abbey Serena]

I might get a tarantula soon

Hey, congrats! They're like potato chips - you can't stop with one. Never saw myself keeping T's until I stepped in with my last tarantula, and I've been wanting one for such a long time since. They're the best company one can keep.

 

[lostbrane]

https://arachnoboards.com/threads/tarantula-information-for-beginners-and-more.318718/

Go to this thread. Click the links in it. Learn. Lots of good information.

From the appearance of it, it looks fine.

T’s aren’t the most active of creatures, so they will remain in the same spot for a while (sometimes days).

Don’t chase humidity numbers. There’s no need. Keep the water dish filled and you should be good to go.

From the photo it looks like the enclosure might be rather tall for your tarantula.

I just realized I sounded extremely blunt but just wanted to point out a few things you may have been unaware of for the wellbeing of your t and an expansion of your knowledge.

 

[Goopyguy56]

If it ate fine then suddenly got sluggish and secretive then it is most likely getting ready to molt-. Could molt- today could be a month or more. Slow growing species. Get some more tarantulas to help keep you entertained. That's my 2 cents anyways.

 

[Abbey Serena]

Update on Charlie: she actually came out of her hidey today. Go figure right after I posted this. She's doing well. Very alert and mobile. Thanks, everyone, for the advice! I'll keep an eye out for a molt coming up soon, though.

 

[Vanisher]

View attachment 328496 View attachment 328497

She looks huge in the picture, but she's actually quite little!

A 2 month old "Red knee" is a spiderling. Yours looks like atleast 3 years

 

[Abbey Serena]

A 2 month old "Red knee" is a spiderling. Yours looks like atleast 3 years

Thanks, someone else told me the same thing. I'm so new at this that I had no idea and just assumed she was a baby because she's small. But good to know!

 

[Vanisher]

Yes. Sluggish tarantula often is in premoult. You just have to wait and see! Good luck with it!

 

[SonsofArachne]

Most T's, especially NW terrestrials like Brachypelmas, spend most of their time being "sluggish" - i.e. not moving. If your brachy is still wandering it's enclosure after a couple of weeks it's not happy and something is wrong with the enclosure.*

* - unless it's a MM, of course.

 

[Rigor Mortis]

Most T's, especially NW terrestrials like Brachypelmas, spend most of their time being "sluggish" - i.e. not moving. If your brachy is still wandering it's enclosure after a couple of weeks it's not happy and something is wrong with the enclosure.*

* - unless it's a MM, of course.

Agreed. If you've got a spider that isn't the definition of active, then good!