Saving this little friend?

[TowerofFae]

This little friendo lives at the nearest big box pet store. I thought they looked kinda unhappy.(and someone here agreed they look stressed)
And I've considered adopting them as my first T so they aren't stuck there. Is that a good idea? My girlfriend is becoming the reptile expert of her store, and might be able to convince them to stock something that would sell faster and not be stuck there for so long.
and if I did what can I do to help them destress?
P.S. also is that a bald spot from throwing hairs like I've read about?

 

[Poonjab]

Put it in proper setup and it won’t be stressed. Bald spot is normal. They tend to kick less hairs when they aren’t as stressed however.

 

[TowerofFae]

That's what I've read. I just haven't seen the resulting bald spot in person for reference.
And thank you that's good to know. I feel bad for them

 

[Craig73]

At least talk them down to a discounted price for not properly taking care of it. No reason you should be paying full price for their incompetence. And do your research on the husbandry of the species and don’t let them talk you into the usual bs of buying things you don’t need.

 

[Poonjab]

That's what I've read. I just haven't seen the resulting bald spot in person for reference.
And thank you that's good to know. I feel bad for them

You could keep her in an XL critter keeper with plenty of substrate. I keep the sub partly dry and partly damp. Provide water dish. Cork bark hide and couple fake plants for aesthetics and your good to to. This species likes to burrow and move dirt, but spends most time out on display.

 

[TowerofFae]

I'd at minimum get 30% off from stealing the SO's employee discount and could possibly argue for an unwanted animal free adoption apparently
As far as trusting them on husbandry the SO is the most knowledgeable employee and knows only what little I know and have told her
Ohhh where are those critter keepers?
I heard Exoterras where good so was saving up.

Would the extra cocofiber we have left over from our day gecko make good substrate?

 

[Poonjab]

I'd at minimum get 30% off from stealing the SO's employee discount and could possibly argue for an unwanted animal free adoption apparently
As far as trusting them on husbandry the SO is the most knowledgeable employee and knows only what little I know and have told her
Ohhh where are those critter keepers?
I heard Exoterras where good so was saving up.

Exoterras aren’t good for terrestrial T’s. The front opening doors prevent from filling enclosure with enough substrate. Sub to lid ratio should be no more that 1.5x the diagonal leg span of the T. This prevents injury or death if the T falls.

 

[TowerofFae]

Ohhhh ok. Are they better for arboreals or something?
That's what about the height I thought maybe the model recommended was shorter or something.
It did look pretty boxy though.

 

[Poonjab]

Ohhhh ok. Are they better for arboreals or something?
That's what about the height I thought maybe the model recommended was shorter or something.
It did look pretty boxy though.

Yes. Better suited for arboreal T’s. I keep my T.albo in a 5 gallon terrarium filled a lil over half way with substrate. She honestly only uses about half the enclosure. The reason I put her in their is because I decorated it nice with multiple hiding areas etc.. more or less to be set out on display as a display tarantula. She found one side she liked, burrowed all the way down and around the enclosure. Moved lots of dirt. Now she stays out in her hide perch on display for everyone to see.

 

[TowerofFae]

She sounds soooooo precious! Can you please tell her I love her.
I do love reading about how they "redecorate" and I'd love if I got this one and got to see it.

 

[Coradams]

Clear plastic display cases for basket balls make pretty nice enclosures. Just turn it upside down and drill some holes. (Make sure you get one with a clear base) If you can find one at Hobby Lobby, you can use their 40% off coupon. I got one there for under $25 after coupon. Sterilite containers also work and they are very inexpensive but they are semi-opaque so you have to open them to view your t. I am sure others here will have even more options. Let us know what you do.

 

[TowerofFae]

Ohhh thanks for the idea I hadn't considered a display case like that. I imagine it would be alot easier then drilling holes in a glass aquarium like I had considered at one point.
Id like an easier to examine enclosure then semi opaque.

 

[EnigmaNyx]

This lil T looks precious. I hope you pick it up, I hate supporting the big box stores but I also feel for you when you see it and can't leave it there to suffer. Good on you for doing that.

 

[Reezelbeezelbug]

Make sure you're getting the spider because you want it, and not because you want it to be "happy". If "rescue" is the motivation, by buying the spider it encourages the store to get more and keep them in the same state they already were, actually driving the demand for wild-caught specimens. By leaving it there, it shows low demand and perhaps the owner will think twice about buying wild-caught adults in the future. I'm making a lot of assumptions here, so take from this what you will.

 

[TowerofFae]

Make sure you're getting the spider because you want it, and not because you want it to be "happy". If "rescue" is the motivation, by buying the spider it encourages the store to get more and keep them in the same state they already were, actually driving the demand for wild-caught specimens. By leaving it there, it shows low demand and perhaps the owner will think twice about buying wild-caught adults in the future. I'm making a lot of assumptions here, so take from this what you will.

Thank you for the concern.
I do actually really want the T. They'd be my first. And my first being a happier home would make me happy.
And my GF works there and is becoming the reptile expert.
She said she might be able to convince her boss to get something that will either sell faster. Or be comfortable in the space.
If all that fails I'm telling my GF as much as I can from here and hoping that could up thier quality of keep there

 

[Craig73]

The problem with big box pet stores is they have a brand to uphold. That means they want every store to present the animals and products in a particular way so the consumer experience is the same no matter what site they visit.

If she could research the particular T they sell and present the idea of how to really showcase the animal to sell faster AND sell supplies/decor that shows a heck of a lot of initiative. What I often see is lack of showcasing animals with decent/adequate supplies/decor they sell and the sells person recommends the completely wrong stuff.

 

[TowerofFae]

Ohhhh that's a really good idea.
She would have researched it as the new reptile aisle mom.
But they had them labled as "Basic Tarantula"
I originally joined this forum to learn what they are.
Now I'm browsing old threads full of great info

 

[Reezelbeezelbug]

Thank you for the concern.
I do actually really want the T. They'd be my first. And my first being a happier home would make me happy.
And my GF works there and is becoming the reptile expert.
She said she might be able to convince her boss to get something that will either sell faster. Or be comfortable in the space.
If all that fails I'm telling my GF as much as I can from here and hoping that could up thier quality of keep there

Awesome, sounds like it'll land in a loving home if you decide to get it

 

[TowerofFae]

Awesome, sounds like it'll land in a loving home if you decide to get it

I already love them. I've decided to name them Bagels
Now I just need to get the home part set up for them