Why did my Lasiodora Parahybana sling block the entrance to its hide?

[The Arachnaddict]

I rehoused my 1 inch legspan Lasiodora Parahybana sling about a month and a half ago (from a 2.5 inch diameter cup to a 4 x 7 inch box), and it has sealed the main entrance to its hide with substrate. Although the spider is acting normal otherwise (eating regular and molted once), it never comes out of the hide. I've lifted up the hide a few times just to make sure its alive and not in death curl. I had been offering it 2 pre-killed crickets per week through a small hole it dug in the back, until a few days ago when it sealed off the the back entrance. It has come to the time of the week that I usually feed my spider, and I'm not sure if I should open the hide or just wait for the spider to either come out or open a hole on its own that I can drop a cricket into. I'm also wondering why my spider won't come out of its hide, and if this might be an issue.

TL;DNR: My recently rehoused 1" LP sling sealed the opening of its hide and won't come out.

Pictures:

Front view (main entrance)

Back view (back entrance)

Overhead view (Front entrance: bottom, Back entrance: top)

 

[Sgt7212]

When they block off their hides or burrows it is their way of saying "Do Not Disturb."

It could be in premolt, so don't put live feeders in there, as they could kill or injure your T if it is molting.

Make sure there is a filled water dish in the enclosure at all times and it will come out when it is ready.

They don't operate on our schedules and they don't take direction well.

 

[Dannica]

Because it wants to be left alone. If that hide is cardboard, keep an eye out for molding, moisture tends to destroy them.

 

[The Arachnaddict]

When they block off their hides or burrows it is their way of saying "Do Not Disturb."

It could be in premolt, so don't put live feeders in there, as they could kill or injure your T if it is molting.

Make sure there is a filled water dish in the enclosure at all times and it will come out when it is ready.

They don't operate on our schedules and they don't take direction well.

Do you really think it could molt again after just a few weeks? I've probably only fed it about 6 meals collectively since the last molt. Is that enough for it to grow more?

 

[Sgt7212]

That part I'm not 100% sure about, but I'll give you 2 scenarios I went through. 1) When I purchased my T. kahlenbergi, the store said it had molted 2 weeks earlier. By the next morning when I woke up, it was sealed off in a burrow it had dug overnight. That was Feb 25th or so. It did not emerge until a couple weeks ago. It had molted to a mature male and finally took its first meal with me. and 2) My G. pulchra sling finally molted 2 weeks ago. Since then it ate 2 small wax worms and as of yesterday sealed off its burrow. Whether it is in molt or not, it does not want to be bothered and will come out when it is ready.

 

[Colorado Ts]

Wait until the sling blocks the entrance and puts out sign that says, in inhospitable terms, what will happen if you disturb it. Heck I didn’t even know mine could spell.

 

[cold blood]

1. this is typical of a sling in an over size enclosure. But its also not a health concern in any way.

2. it could easily be pre molt. Pre molt begins basically when its nutritional needs for that molt cycle have been met. The more its fed, the sooner this occurs. Its why heavy feeding schedules lead directly to long fasting periods. For a sling, its needs can be met quickly as it doesnt take all that much to adequately plump them.

3. Dont offer food, barricading themselves in is normal and it will emerge when its good and ready...could be a few days, could be several months, it doesnt matter. No need to offer food till it emerges.

 

[CJJon]

It's checking to see if the light stays on when the door is closed.

 

[Kingemfour]

Well i currently have a spiderling maybe about sling size i left for work today wasnt covered and was eating normal and i come back and his hide is covered all the way around he had a molt but i didnt know how long before i owned him but i had him for about a good 2-3 weeks now and not only that my other tarantula (curly hair) has also done this with his hide but hes a juvenile id assume cause hes not mature yet nor a sling but i could be wrong just got into owning tarantulas but ive always been interested and doing research as well

 

[kingshockey]

its been stuffed into fasting or pre molt 2crickets a week is more than enough food. stop lifting its hide to stress check it just creep up and peek on it during the middle of the night you might catch it out

 

[Jimmyboi]

Tom Moran foretold of this scenario...