Why does this T have its butt in the air?

[DrAce]

Also a good explaination. But that might lead to an easy set of experiments... does the behavior increase with increasing temperature. You shouldn't need to go up by much... a few degrees should show the increase in 'obelisking' - thats a great word for it too...

 

[mrbonzai211]

It's a common sign of defense that almost all animals use. He's making himself appear larger to ward off what he sees as a threat. I thin you should move him away from the other T I see in the pic and he'll probably stop that behavior.

 

[RottweilExpress]

My M.robustum did that yesterday when I was messin with her tank, I think its a "get ready to be bombed" display, kinda like a skunk does before it ruins your day.

That'a because Megaphobema has their own way to show threats. They heave their ass in the air as opposed to the more ordinary species in the hobby that stands on their hind legs and show fangs.

 

[Keith Richard]

I have the answer.

my entmology prof says that arthropods obelisk to cool thier bodies. I showed him the picture and he says that he is 98% sure that is what it is doing.

I agree that the "pose" is likely temperature related. I had always thought that this behaviour was to maximise heat intake....I suppose it could equally be applied to cool the animal down. I thought that in general, tarantulas would dig down to cooler substarate to escape heat.

What is the temp in the current enclosure?

 

[monitormonster]

I was just reading a care sheet about a Grammastola spp., it said that they do that when they perceive a threat. Maybe he just doesnt like anyone lookin' at him, haha

 

[elyanalyous]

here are some links in reference to what i was mentioning before...

http://home.earthlink.net/~twhelanb/images/diary/obelisking.htm

a more indepth look at dragonflies in this case:

www.colostate.edu/Depts/Entomology/courses/en507/papers_2003/cochran.pdf

It could very well be just a thing that it does as well. we jsut don't know enough about inverts to explain every tiny nuicence of thier being. but my guess is temperature, or possibly its doing a wierd strech getting ready for some internal or external process?

when was the last molt date, and what sex is the T in question?

 

[bushbuster]

That'a because Megaphobema has their own way to show threats. They heave their ass in the air as opposed to the more ordinary species in the hobby that stands on their hind legs and show fangs.

Thats right, I forgot about the "whirling spin in an attempt to jab the intruder with sharp spines on the back legs move" lol

 

[RottweilExpress]

Thats right, I forgot about the "whirling spin in an attempt to jab the intruder with sharp spines on the back legs move" lol

Hahaha..Well yeah. Once in a bazzillion, but still ;p