When to feed recently purchased T

[eagerbones]

I just purchased my first Tarantula, a Aphonopelma seemanni. I have it in a 10 gallon and it's very active at night. It seems to be healthy and I was wondering when I should offer it food? I'm sure the transportation into a new habitat and the car ride was very stressful so I have left her alone for at least 24 hours. I do not know when she was last fed.

Should I offer her food or should I wait a week until she's more settled in?

 

[KezyGLA]

How is the condition of the tarantula? Could you post pics of enclosure and the T?

 

[eagerbones]

This is the 10 gallon. I have coconut fiber that I plan to mix with some organic topsoil today because I know they like to burrow. The light is an LED bulb and it's not for heat but for the plant I have inside, as well as a day/night cycle which I read was very important to tarantulas. Humidity is a little under 80 and temp is constant 73 which I know is a bit low but I've read a lot of different care sheets and it's my understanding that it's an okay temperature as long as it stays constant. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[eagerbones]

I'm new to these board and I'm bad at forums so sorry if I'm making any mistakes.

 

[Venom1080]

1. Replace the lid with something like plexiglass or acrylic, or get an entire new cage. A 10 gallon is a waste of space for this species anyway.

2. Add substrate till there is a gap of no more than 1.5-2x the tarantulas legspan. Falls are dangerous, and this species does like to burrow. Keep sub moist.

4. Don't chase humidity numbers. Those cheap hygrometers are rarely correct anyway.

5. You can try feeding after fixing the cage and leaving her for a few days.

 

[elportoed]

You can put the prey in there. If it's hungry it will grab it. I'd feed the newly arrived slings the very next day.

 

[eagerbones]

Is an appropriately sized plastic container with locking lid and drilled ventilation okay to use for housing then?

 

[Venom1080]

Is an appropriately sized plastic container with locking lid and drilled ventilation okay to use for housing then?

Yes.

 

[eagerbones]

Okay thank you so much I will shop for one today when I also purchase more substrate. Do you think my temperature situation is okay?

 

[BC1579]

Room temp is likely fine. Typically, if you’re comfortable so is the T.

If the temps really dip where you live a small space heater in the room should be fine.

 

[eagerbones]

Okay she's all set up now. Deep deep soil and plenty of room (but not too much) and simplified everything.

 

[viper69]

Is an appropriately sized plastic container with locking lid and drilled ventilation okay to use for housing then?

You can keep it in a 10 gallon tank PROVIDED you give it enough prey to find. They don't hunt per se, until they detect movement via trip wires, particularly females. Some Ts will use that space, some will not. The fall danger is significant in that setup!

 

[efmp1987]

I have been feeding what I have gotten so far immediately after re-housing. They take the food right under my nose. Not sure if its good or bad, but I cant really identify any disadvantage. If mine will not take the feeder after a few minutes, I take it out immediately. In one case the adjustment phase post rehousing was eliminated altogether (Harpactira pulchripes). After the spider took the first cricket, it webbed up via the "happy dance" so technically it has considered the new enclosure home 2 minutes post rehousing. No spider stress caused by the adjustment period! Happy me!

 

[TRection]

New set up looks much better, i would go ahead and try to feed it too. There shouldnt be any reason not to, but if it doesnt eat it after a few hours just take the feeder out in the morning and try again in a few days

 

[darkness975]

Okay she's all set up now. Deep deep soil and plenty of room (but not too much) and simplified everything.
View attachment 255394 View attachment 255395

Needs a bigger water dish that it can stick its face into to drink.

G. porteri Drinking

• darkness975
• Apr 10, 2017

Irene 1

• darkness975
• Apr 27, 2017

You should find a hide that does not have an end to it, like a piece of cork bark or something similar. They will burrow down through the back side.

 

[Ungoliant]

Should I offer her food or should I wait a week until she's more settled in?

I usually offer my new tarantulas food within a day or two. I've never had a new tarantula reject a meal, but it's no big deal if they do. Remove the uneaten prey and try again next week.