Rehousing fossorial species

[synic]

I've got a C. elegans, that, now that I know a little more about, I'd like to put into a more appropriate enclosure. One that'll have more room for substrate, will keep the humidity better, and that I'll be able to see her in when she burrows.

However, she never comes out of the dirt. If I lift her current enclosure up, I can see her through the bottom. She's not molted or anything, however, she has been in her burrow for about 3 weeks without coming out at all.

I've read that you shouldn't ever dig a spider out in case they are molting, but if I can see her in there, is it ok? When is it appropriate to rehouse a fossorial that never leaves her burrow?

 

[Hobo]

I've got a C. elegans, that, now that I know a little more about, I'd like to put into a more appropriate enclosure. One that'll have more room for substrate, will keep the humidity better, and that I'll be able to see her in when she burrows.

However, she never comes out of the dirt. If I lift her current enclosure up, I can see her through the bottom. She's not molted or anything, however, she has been in her burrow for about 3 weeks without coming out at all.

I've read that you shouldn't ever dig a spider out in case they are molting, but if I can see her in there, is it ok? When is it appropriate to rehouse a fossorial that never leaves her burrow?

Is she still eating? If you can see her, I would wait until she molts and hardens before digging her up and rehousing her.

 

[synic]

Nope, she hasn't eaten for about a month and a half. She looks healthy though, with a large rump. Well, from what little I can see of her.

Edit: anyone know the average time a C. elegans should be in premolt? I know it depends on the specimen, etc, but it's been forever, hah. She's about a year old.

 

[Hobo]

Nope, she hasn't eaten for about a month and a half. She looks healthy though, with a large rump. Well, from what little I can see of her.

Edit: anyone know the average time a C. elegans should be in premolt? I know it depends on the specimen, etc, but it's been forever, hah. She's about a year old.

I'd most definitely wait for a molt.
Also, pretty much you said. Waiting is the worst part, but be glad you get to actually see her!

 

[synic]

I'd most definitely wait for a molt.

That's what I'll do then Bleh, this enclosure she's in is so hard to keep moist. Seems like it dries out in half a day.

Edit: Thanks for the advice, btw!

 

[Hatr3d]

if it dries out too fast you can try covering some of the ventilation holes to make it retain humidity better.

 

[LV-426]

I rehoused my P. irminia and S. cal slings last week, within 2 days they both molted. I dont think it would really matter if you rehoused it but leave it alone to be on the safe side. how big is the T in question? Also when i got my 3' N. chromatus last year it was in premolt. I put it in the new enclosure and 3-4 weeks it molted. only the T knows when its ready.

 

[stewstew8282]

reviving this old thread..so the question was never fully answered...if a fossorial refuses to play nice and come out...whats the best way to rehouse? (molt is not a factor here..just getting the t out in the LEAST stressful way)

 

[Poec54]

reviving this old thread..so the question was never fully answered...if a fossorial refuses to play nice and come out...whats the best way to rehouse? (molt is not a factor here..just getting the t out in the LEAST stressful way)

They come out at night when they're hungry.

 

[BaddestRuffest]

I know of a few people who keep P.muticus and H.lividum and they slowly flood down the burrow and you'll find the t will evacuate once its had enough. To me this seems a more "natural" way as opposed to digging them out. You could always take what poec said and wait till its hungry enough then hold the prey with the tongs till the t comes to investigate and then block off its burrow.

 

[spiderengineer]

I know of a few people who keep P.muticus and H.lividum and they slowly flood down the burrow and you'll find the t will evacuate once its had enough. To me this seems a more "natural" way as opposed to digging them out. You could always take what poec said and wait till its hungry enough then hold the prey with the tongs till the t comes to investigate and then block off its burrow.

I do this method but you have to be careful some T's can be stubborn had an H. albostriatum juvie who would rather stay underwater then come out of the burrow.

 

[toast4nat]

I rehoused my P. irminia sling with the flooding method. I would think eventually they would get the hint that they can't breathe and come on out.

 

[Lopez]

Turn the current container upside down and shake it out into a bucket. Fish out the spider. Put it in the new tank. Done.

 

[BaddestRuffest]

Turn the current container upside down and shake it out into a bucket. Fish out the spider. Put it in the new tank. Done.

LMAO, yeah I know your goofing around Leon. Nevertheless I still laughed.

 

[LuiziBee]

I think some people actually do that. Not sure if it's a joke or not...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Lopez]

It's not a joke. It's how I've always rehomed fossorial species.

 

[stewstew8282]

thanks for the replies guys, i think ill try the flooding method, and if the t decides to jacques cousteau it..ill try what lopez said.

 

[GForce14063]

I use water gel crystals mixed into the bottom layer of the substrate to keep enclosure humidity up. All you need is just a few mixed into the bottom layer then fill with regular substrate.

 

[batterybound]

I don't have any fossorials but my A. seemanni burrows. Whenever I've rehoused her I just get a big plastic stirring spoon and dig her out, she usually comes out all mad and covered in dirt, asking "Who just flattened my house!" ha but it works.