New tarantula!

SIOBHANBAKER

Arachnopeon
Joined
Dec 3, 2018
Messages
9
Just got my first ever tarantula after doing a lot of research.
I am a little worried about him as he’s not moving from the corner of the tank with his legs kinda scrunched up above his body (I have read up that this is because of the stress of moving). He is not eating and appears scared of the insect (the pet store told me he has not eaten for a month and molted about a week ago). He was in a tub when we bought him that was very warm so I have a 15watt heat mat for him as I live in the uk and my flat is often cold. I am also worrying that he is dehydrated any tips on that? He has a shallow water dish but as he has not moved I don’t think he realises it is there. Nor has he been in his hide as im not sure he knows where it is.

He is right up against the heat mat (I believe he may be cold)
 
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Teal

Arachnoemperor
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Remove the heat mat... they dehydrate and kill spiders.

Can you post a photo of the enclosure? What species is the spider?

They need time to adjust to new surroundings. Don't leave live feeders in with it.
 

SIOBHANBAKER

Arachnopeon
Joined
Dec 3, 2018
Messages
9
Remove the heat mat... they dehydrate and kill spiders.

Can you post a photo of the enclosure? What species is the spider?

They need time to adjust to new surroundings. Don't leave live feeders in with it.

He has been on top of a heat mat his whole life and when we bought him home he really seemed to not like it and as soon as I got a heat mat he sucked onto it ?

He’s a curly hair. I took it out soon after he seemed to dart away from it


I live in the Uk and it’s very very cold
 
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Chris LXXIX

ArachnoGod
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Dec 25, 2014
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Remove the heat mat... they dehydrate and kill spiders.
Actually a lot of UK (and Germany) keepers used/use those kind of heating devices and they never had issues, here @basin79 comes to mind, but I think there's others.

Obviously, assuming that someone is using those in the right way :pompous:
 

Teal

Arachnoemperor
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Is it below 15°C in your flat?

Heat mats KILL spiders when applied directly to the tank. Pet stores are notorious for giving awful information regarding tarantula care.
 

SIOBHANBAKER

Arachnopeon
Joined
Dec 3, 2018
Messages
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Is it below 15°C in your flat?

Heat mats KILL spiders when applied directly to the tank. Pet stores are notorious for giving awful information regarding tarantula care.
Yes a lot of the time it is below 15C. I was told by a lady who has kept numerous is curly hairs how to apply the heat mat too
 

basin79

ArachnoGod
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Is it below 15°C in your flat?

Heat mats KILL spiders when applied directly to the tank. Pet stores are notorious for giving awful information regarding tarantula care.
Cough, cough rubbish, cough cough. If that was true all my tarantulas would be DEAD.
 

Teal

Arachnoemperor
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Yes a lot of the time it is below 15C. I was told by a lady who has kept numerous is curly hairs how to apply the heat mat too
You'll want to learn the scientific name - Brachypelma albopilosum. It will help you research the proper care of your spider.

You asked questions and I am giving you answers, but it seems you don't want help afterall since you keep defending how you're keeping the spider.

Cough, cough rubbish, cough cough. If that was true all my tarantulas would be DEAD.
Then chime in with your experience.
 
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basin79

ArachnoGod
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5,893
Just got my first ever tarantula after doing a lot of research.
I am a little worried about him as he’s not moving from the corner of the tank with his legs kinda scrunched up above his body (I have read up that this is because of the stress of moving). He is not eating and appears scared of the insect (the pet store told me he has not eaten for a month and molted about a week ago). He was in a tub when we bought him that was very warm so I have a 15watt heat mat for him as I live in the uk and my flat is often cold. I am also worrying that he is dehydrated any tips on that? He has a shallow water dish but as he has not moved I don’t think he realises it is there. Nor has he been in his hide as im not sure he knows where it is.
Make sure the heat mat is plugged into a thermostat and placed on the back or side of the enclosure. If you do that and set the thermostat to the correct temperature they're perfectly safe.

It's how I heat all of my tarantulas. The thermostat turns the mat off when it reaches the temperature you've set. On warm summer days they don't come on at all. And that's the reason they must be attached to a thermostat.
 

Teal

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I should have been more specific in my post... *improperly used* heat sources kill spiders. Just like *improperly used* misting practices can be harmful.

You should still post photos of the spider and enclosure.
 

SIOBHANBAKER

Arachnopeon
Joined
Dec 3, 2018
Messages
9
You'll want to learn the scientific name - Brachypelma albopilosum. It will help you research the proper care of your spider.

You asked questions and I am giving you answers, but it seems you don't want help afterall since you keep defending how you're keeping the spider.
Because it seems you don’t understand how cold it is in the UK and how a lot of people who keep tarantulas have heat mats, t
Make sure the heat mat is plugged into a thermostat and placed on the back or side of the enclosure. If you do that and set the thermostat to the correct temperature they're perfectly safe.

It's how I heat all of my tarantulas. The thermostat turns the mat off when it reaches the temperature you've set. On warm summer days they don't come on at all. And that's the reason they must be attached to a thermostat.
Thanks for that I’ll make sure I do this tomorrow :)
 

Teal

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Because it seems you don’t understand how cold it is in the UK and how a lot of people who keep tarantulas have heat mats,
It is -1°C where I live right now... How cold is it where you are? :rolleyes:

I have 100+ tarantulas... no way am I using a heat pad on each. That is what space heaters are for.

You completely ignored everything else I said to argue about the heat mat, so... other people can attempt to advise you. I'm not wasting my time anymore.
 

Minty

@londontarantulas
Joined
Feb 2, 2018
Messages
488
Because it seems you don’t understand how cold it is in the UK and how a lot of people who keep tarantulas have heat mats, t

Thanks for that I’ll make sure I do this tomorrow :)
I’m from the UK. Central heated homes are more than enough for tarantulas. Heat mats are a bad idea.
 

basin79

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Because it seems you don’t understand how cold it is in the UK and how a lot of people who keep tarantulas have heat mats, t

Thanks for that I’ll make sure I do this tomorrow :)
I use insulation boards behind my mats. They're foil backed. That just directs the heat into the enclosures so it's more efficient. I tape the thermostat probe to the mat. Set the temperature in the dial then leave them to it.

Mat stats will be able to handle a couple of smaller mats or a big one that could heat multiple enclosures. My room just isn't big enough to warrent a space heater. If I did have a bigger room I'd use 1 though. Less hassle.

You don’t use heating at home at all? That’s mental.
Why? I don't put my heating on. No need. Although I still get charged almost £10 P/M standing charge!!!!!!

That really winds me up.
 
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Minty

@londontarantulas
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Here he is and his tank
Is he confirmed as a Male?

I’d add more substrate.

Why? I don't put my heating on. No need. Although I still get charged almost £10 P/M standing charge!!!!!!

That really winds me up.
Because it gets cold and I don’t like to be cold at home. Lol
 
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basin79

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Because it gets cold and I don’t like to be cold at home. Lol
I run hot. Unless I'm ill. Handy in winter as it's great in a shorts and vest/t-shirt. But summer, or anything over 10c is bloody awful.

Here he is and his tank
It looks like the heat mat, well 1 of them is underneath the enclosure. That's a big no no. Is he a mature male (MM)?
 
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Rigor Mortis

Arachnobaron
Joined
Nov 7, 2018
Messages
498
Staying away from this Heat Mat vs. Americans debate...

If he hasn't been moving much or showing interest in anything, just give him some time. Some Ts take just a few days to get settled in, some take several weeks. My chalcodes took 3 weeks to finally start acting "normal." And even after that Ts don't move much anyway!
 
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