New to owning a Tarantula and need some advice

[xAshfordx]

So, I received a tarantula for my birthday which is great as I have always wanted one. Had her about 3 days now. The set up was all put together from a shop my partner knows.
She came out of hiding within a couple of hours and had a walk around. When I got up next morning she was on the glass in the corner right at the top of the tank and she hasn't.moved since. I've done a bit of research and noticed right away that the shop hasn't put near enough substrate in incase she falls, which I'm now worried that she might from what I've been reading. I don't know whether to open it up and put more in or just leave her for the time being to settle. Will attach a photo.
Any advice would be really appreciated.

 

[viper69]

So you are willing to risk a fall by waiting for the T settle? That’s what you’ve said.

 

[xAshfordx]

I was asking if it was best to disturb her even though shes new or not as I don't want to stress her any more than she already is.
Also how do I add the extra substrate while she's clinging to the side of the glass, don't want to cause her to fall...

 

[Brewser]

Welcome & Congrats
To U & Nu T.
Curious, do u no wat Species of Tarantula?
Catch up with Cup, Temporary Removal while Redecorating.
Best Regards,

 

[xAshfordx]

Welcome & Congrats
To U & Nu T.
Curious, do u no wat Species of Tarantula?
Catch up with Cup, Temporary Removal while Redecorating.
Best Regards,

Hey thanks for response, she's a mexican fire leg (don't know the proper term)

 

[Gevo]

Welcome, and happy birthday! This looks like a Brachypelma boehmei. This is the scientific name that, if you use it for your searches, will get you better results than the common name, which can be confused with lots of similar species in the genus.

The catch cup method is the most effective when you need to redo an enclosure, but I certainly understand why you'd want to know if it's better to wait or disturb her now. I would open the lid very slowly and carefully, leaving the part above her covered in case she bolts up. With any luck, with slow enough movements and enough patience, she will crawl back down and either stay on the ground or run to her hide. These species are known to kick hairs, so keep your face away, and don't feel too goofy going the full mile and wearing gloves and a mask. Brachypelma hairs can be very itchy, and you definitely don't want to breathe them in.

If she stays on the side, you can place a cup over her and gently encourage her into it with a paintbrush if you need to. Then cover the opening with a lid or piece of cardboard, just like you're moving a house spider. You can do the same if she's on the ground.

If she runs into her hide, you can also add substrate around if you don't have to add too much. I did this with one of my Ts when I saw his substrate level was just a tad too low for him. He was in his burrow, so I just dumped some in and made sure not to barricade him in during the process. Don't reach your hands straight in--I used a water bottle to tamp down the added dirt and tongs to move and replace the water dish and fake plants. If you have to add a lot, though, it's best to remove the spider in a catch cup first.

Another thing to note is that mesh lids can be dangerous for terrestrial tarantulas because they can get their tarsi (feet) stuck in them. Many people who have enclosures with these types of lids modify them using plexiglass or a piece of acrylic that they ventilate by drilling holes into it and then attach using hot glue or aquarium silicone. Here's an example of someone doing that, but you can also search the boards:

 

[NMTs]

Do whatever you're comfortable with, but in the pic you posted it looks like the substrate level is fine to me. Maybe it's lower on the other side of the enclosure, though... As I'm sure you've read, the distance from lid to substrate should be roughly 1.5 times the leg span of your T. Consider that in the photo your T is scrunched up and if it were to spread out fully, the distance to the substrate would be a lot less.

It's good that you're doing research, though, and you're considering the right things. Welcome to AB, and keep it up!

 

[TheraMygale]

Once you have the tarantula cupped and safe, you can add more substrate, its not an issue.

make sure substrate is packed down. Too fluffly and brachypelma will not like it. It might still do what its doing now. For a while. They sense the moisture in the ground. It might adopt the piece of flat wood as a perch. One of mine did that until it felt comfortable to make a burrow.

my brachypelmas all did this. I make my enclosures in advance now. To give substrate a chance to dry out. They could still climb: its normal behavior in new settings.

your species is known to be a little hair kicker. Make sure you are well protected. It spreads hair everywhere in enclosure too.

many people still use mesh (woven). But its always a risk for tarsis getting stuck between the wires. Does not mean it will happen to you. Tons of options if you want to replace. Even a rubbermaid plastic top with holes drilled, can be used temporarily, if rocks are put on top. Sure, its not cute, but its safe.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

So, I received a tarantula for my birthday which is great as I have always wanted one. Had her about 3 days now. The set up was all put together from a shop my partner knows.
She came out of hiding within a couple of hours and had a walk around. When I got up next morning she was on the glass in the corner right at the top of the tank and she hasn't.moved since. I've done a bit of research and noticed right away that the shop hasn't put near enough substrate in incase she falls, which I'm now worried that she might from what I've been reading. I don't know whether to open it up and put more in or just leave her for the time being to settle. Will attach a photo.
Any advice would be really appreciated.

Welcome to AB and your new tarantula.

First, I'll tell you right now get a new enclosure asap without any mesh. I do not know if it's woven mesh, kind of looks like it is. Not only can your T get it's leg stuck but at the size of that T it has the ability to rip the mesh open with it's fangs and escape.

If anything get on that immediately. Even just a Kritter Keeper would work great.

 

[TheraMygale]

Even just a Kritter Keeper would work great.

I second this. Its what i keep most of my tarantulas in at the moment. They are cheap and clear. Plus, you don’t need the extra large one.

This my unsexed B emilia, over 2’5”, in a faunarium. Most likely the medium one.