Quick question about my G. rosa

[Carmelpi]

Hi all!

I wish I’d found these forums years ago. Might have helped me figure out a few things sooner.

So my question is substrate. I have had Charlotte, my G. rosa, for over 18 years now. She is almost the same size now as she was when I first got her. She has molted probably once every four years, so in total about 5 times now (1st time right after I got her, most recent a month ago). I feed her a few crickets once a month, sometimes every two months. I top off her water dish once a week. I do not handle her anymore because it’s better for her. She’s not one of my furry pets - she doesn’t need the attention like they do.

She seems to be a very healthy spider. However, after reading through the forums and checking the link on G. rosa care, I wonder if I shouldn’t change her substrate? She has the coconut bark substrate and she has covered it in webbing. Again, she’s lived on this for 18 years so not sure if changing would be beneficial or detrimental to her health at this point.

Any opinions?

Btw, I stumbled across this forum because I was afraid my girl was approaching her twilight years and I think, based on what little I’ve found, that as long as she keeps to her current molting schedule we may be growing old together.

I attached a photo of her latest molt because I think they’re really cool

 

[Theneil]

Coco fiber is fine. Not my first choice but it won't hurt her health at all. The main issue with terrestrials on coco fiber is that they don't like the looseness of it, but if yours has already webbed over the whole thing then it should be stabilized enough.

 

[weibkreux]

No need to replace it as long as the substrate isn't moldy or infected with mites.
She looks settled with it, being webbed all over the place.

 

[AnObeseHippo]

So glad I woke up to this post instead of a much worse scenario. Good work, i thought this was gonna have an issue in it but everything sounds great

 

[spookyvibes]

Substrate doesn’t go bad, just spot clean boluses and poop and you’ll be fine.

18 years though? Wow! Sounds like you’re taking really good care of her

 

[Greasylake]

Do you mean coco fiber or coconut husk? The cocofiber is pretty standard stuff but coco husk is generally avoided.

 

[Carmelpi]

Okay, I’ll leave her substrate as is.

Funny story - when I first got her I didn’t know my boyfriend at the time was afraid of spiders. My mom threw a fit and wouldn’t let me have her at their house (I was 25 and living at home - yeah, I was a slacker lol). He threw a huge fit about her but let me keep her at his apartment until I could convince my mom that she wasn’t any different than all the other pets I have brought home over the years.

When we broke up, he tried to claim custody of her. I’m not sure if he just got attached or was just being a manipulative jerk (highly likely) but I like to think that she got him over his fear of spiders.