Tarantula behavior, hibernation, versus weather and seasons

[TheraMygale]

Not that this is anything new, to most of you, i was able to conclude a theory of mine.

i have a 4inch+ mature g pulchripes female. she went into hiding last autumn. She was also not taking any food, for a while.

we all heard the, if your comfortable, so are they… in a way, its possible, its not damaging. But its not full potentiel living.

so this g pulchripes, came out yesterday. She was full out, in her enclosure. At night, she was on the top of her hide.

the weather has been following a steady night temperature, and my indoors have been reaching 72 during the day.

the sun has been up much longer, earlier and later. The humidity, in the house, has also increased.

i suspected she would come out of hiding, when the full warmth of spring would happen. i did not think she was hiding, because of fasting.

this is food for thought, for many new members, and people who are still experimenting. I truely believe increased warmth, will increase behavior in hiding pet rocks.

i also truely believe the light hours matter.

if anyone cares to share similar observations, this is the place.

for a better thread title recommendation, feel free to share. i was not sure how to chose something appropriate.

i know i could have found potential information, like mine. But i wanted to wait it out, and see what would happen. I wanted to think for myself and gather my own information,

so far, considering i have had 4 molts, in the last month, all of a sudden, it truely shows how weather affects the life cycle, even in our homes.

anyone wanting to get more activity, would need to invest in good equipement, to regulate heat. Have a good understanding of the balance between sub moisture and air moisture.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

Higher temperatures definitely speed up growth and metabolism in tarantulas. Also, it's good to consider the species' natural habitat. From my understanding, G. pulchripes live in savannah-like grasslands of Argentina, where there is a wet and dry season. They tend to be more active during the wet season since there's usually greater availability of prey. During long droughts they hunker down in their burrows until conditions are more favorable. I think your observations make sense when considering these things. Of course, temperate climates are different and it can be difficult to try and replicate the conditions in the wild. I've observed something similar where I live (cold, snowy winters and hot summers). During winter some of the tarantulas seal themselves up into their burrows or become less active with reduced appetites. I've observed some of my temperate species go into brumation until spring. During summer everyone grows quickly, molts, is much more active, and more food motivated.

 

[TheraMygale]

Fascinating! I love this. It confirms my theories, personal train of thoughts.

 

[cold blood]

I truely believe increased warmth, will increase behavior in hiding pet rocks.

for sure.

I keep my t room warm all winter....no one hides or fasts.

i also truely believe the light hours matter

I dont think light plays as significant of a role...mostly because theyre nocturnal.

the other thing about my tarantula room is that i keep it dark all the time....days in the room are like twilight at best...they dont seem to care.

so far, considering i have had 4 molts, in the last month, all of a sudden, it truely shows how weather affects the life cycle, even in our homes

Oh is crazy how they always know whats going on...spring comes, warmth, rains and molts occur like crazy.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

the weather has been following a steady night temperature, and my indoors have been reaching 72 during the day.

Your indoor temperatures are just now reaching 72 F?
Down here in Texas, we are already experiencing 90-100 F temperatures outside and my indoor temperature is about 75-80 F depending on the room. My tarantulas are fully active (for a tarantula anyway) and really wanting to eat all the time. I'm one of the few people who can actually say "if I'm comfortable, then my tarantulas are comfortable."

i also truely believe the light hours matter.

Well, depending on what your rooms are like maybe. Tarantulas definitely have more activity in pitch black darkness, but that varies in captivity quite a bit. It would be helpful to use indoor thermometers that have the functionality to record temperatures and lets you download them to your computer for analysis. Then you can attempt to find a correlation between the time of day, temperature, and activity level of your tarantulas.

if anyone cares to share similar observations, this is the place.

The observations that are the most interesting for me to share are of our good friend Aphonopelma hentzi from the wild. As observed in captivity, the wild tarantulas definitely have a seasonal activity that is so dependent on the temperatures that it is predictable every year. I know without even going outside that the start of the season for peak activity occurs when my weather app shows a consistent low temperature of around 75-80 F which happens in about late May down here in Texas. There are stragglers that emerge earlier, but the peak is late May early June. The end of tarantula season happens in late September to October when the low temperatures start falling to about 70 degrees F give or take a few degrees. Again, there are stragglers but we are talking about rough averages.

Temperatures are not the only abiotic factor that affects wild tarantula activity though. If Texas doesn't get enough rain in the spring, populations don't fully emerge from their winter sleep and males during the mating season starting in June are rare to find until a good storm comes through. Also, time of day affects activity. Our friend A. hentzi really likes the dark; the darker outside the better. Daily activity usually starts at about dusk which in Central Time is about 7-8 PM. Then they go back home and call it a day at dawn around 6-7 AM. So temperatures around 75-85 degrees F is ideal; some wetness or humidity from rainfall is preferred; and complete darkness all combined is what makes a tarantula real happy.

All these observations I have made with wild A. hentzi are equally applicable to a whole range of tarantula species from around the world when I notice the temperature changes and start pouring a lot of water in the soil in my own spider room. Every year it is hard to ignore that when it is tarantula season in Texas starts, my own exotic tarantulas in captivity are also becoming active.

 

[TheraMygale]

Your indoor temperatures are just now reaching 72 F?
Down here in Texas, we are already experiencing 90-100 F temperatures outside and my indoor temperature is about 75-80 F depending on the room. My tarantulas are fully active (for a tarantula anyway) and really wanting to eat all the time. I'm one of the few people who can actually say "if I'm comfortable, then my tarantulas are comfortable."



Well, depending on what your rooms are like maybe. Tarantulas definitely have more activity in pitch black darkness, but that varies in captivity quite a bit. It would be helpful to use indoor thermometers that have the functionality to record temperatures and lets you download them to your computer for analysis. Then you can attempt to find a correlation between the time of day, temperature, and activity level of your tarantulas.



The observations that are the most interesting for me to share are of our good friend Aphonopelma hentzi from the wild. As observed in captivity, the wild tarantulas definitely have a seasonal activity that is so dependent on the temperatures that it is predictable every year. I know without even going outside that the start of the season for peak activity occurs when my weather app shows a consistent low temperature of around 75-80 F which happens in about late May down here in Texas. There are stragglers that emerge earlier, but the peak is late May early June. The end of tarantula season happens in late September to October when the low temperatures start falling to about 70 degrees F give or take a few degrees. Again, there are stragglers but we are talking about rough averages.

Temperatures are not the only abiotic factor that affects wild tarantula activity though. If Texas doesn't get enough rain in the spring, populations don't fully emerge from their winter sleep and males during the mating season starting in June are rare to find until a good storm comes through. Also, time of day affects activity. Our friend A. hentzi really likes the dark; the darker outside the better. Daily activity usually starts at about dusk which in Central Time is about 7-8 PM. Then they go back home and call it a day at dawn around 6-7 AM. So temperatures around 75-85 degrees F is ideal; some wetness or humidity from rainfall is preferred; and complete darkness all combined is what makes a tarantula real happy.

All these observations I have made with wild A. hentzi are equally applicable to a whole range of tarantula species from around the world when I notice the temperature changes and start pouring a lot of water in the soil in my own spider room. Every year it is hard to ignore that when it is tarantula season in Texas starts, my own exotic tarantulas in captivity are also becoming active.

i love this. It says what i am trying to say with better words.

its not hot hear yet, but today, i had my first heat stroke. of course, i was working hard physicaly, but it had been a while that i felt a feeling like fever in my face.

i know now, what i need to provide my tarantulas. However, i also believe they need a hibernation period. So i think my home is working for the tarantulas I chose.

i raise saturniid morhs and local mantises, so its all relative. The seasons are important.

my tarantulas are places far enough from the sun. Just enough for them to notice the change in lighting.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Mine are always active minus the X. intermedia and D. rufoniger that prefers to stay in their burrow 100% of the time which I already knew this with these species. X. intermedia is now over 5 inches. D. rufoniger is now 1 inch.

My T's temp range is from 70F - 72F mainly in Summer and 70F - 77F in Winter.

Every Spring and Winter I get them molting regardless of temps. They always eat when offered food because I do not offer on a consistent schedule. The time between feedings is great. My slings get fed more often but not over-fed to induce obesity and pro-long molt cycles.

Whatever I'm doing or not doing seems to create some of my tarantulas to exceed their average diagonal leg span and mature males living for years on end.

I also do not know if genetics plays into it like slings that came from inbreed parents. Never know on hybrid lineage from ages ago. Only DNA test could substantiate that which I'm not sending any of my T's off for.

Tarantulas in captivity vs out in the wild born free I would expect discrepancies.

 

[Gevo]

Mine absolutely respond to the longer days. They make the same rounds in their enclosures through the day, mirroring each other, all hanging out on one wall, then another wall, then another—in tandem with one another. I’m sure they’re tracking the sunlight in the room. I know they’re nocturnal, but mine become more active in the day in the spring time. Because of how north I am, there’s still light in the sky till nearly midnight through the month of June, and it gets light around 4am, and yet it’s the time of year mine get more active. They seem to semi-hibernate in winter when it’s dark from 4pm to nearly 9am. My indoor temps stay about 72-78F/22-24C year-round.

 

[TheraMygale]

Very interesting shares. Thank you for adding.

i know you ib my country @Gevo, so we have a similar weather path.

ever since the light has increased, my g pulchripes female has been out more then ever.

my tarantulas are far enough from the window, and backed into a book shelf. But the light comes in well. I love observing these changes throughout the seasons. Its very reassuring.