Another newbie question

[Elaine Ross]

My B. vagans has covered in the front of its hide. Do they always do this? It means I cant see it at all. I read somewhere that they sometimes do this pre moult but it ate 2 crickets the night before last.

The substrate that is in the tank has small pieces of bark in it (I was going to change the substrate in the next few days once the new stuff had dried out a bit) and it has used these pieces to pile up in the entrance to the hide. I dont want to disturb it just incase it is pre moult behaviour. According to the note that was left on the tank when it was abandoned on my doorstep, it had moulted the previous week so that would only be around 2.5 weeks ago. The note also said that the ex owner knew this because he/she had to remove the remains of the old skin from the tank. I dont know how often they checked the tank properly so it could have been there for a few days or more or may have been relatively fresh.

This little B. vagans is only about 1.5 inches little so can you tell me how often they moult when so young? Should I mist the tank a bit? I know these guys like it a bit drier than most but would it help if its going to moult?

Thanks
Elaine

[Nicola Dolby]

moulting

Elaine, at about 4cm they should only be moulting every 4 weeks, maybe 5 for Brachys as they are small growers. If he gets an orange patch on the abdomen then he is starting the cycle, this will turn black after a week and then a few days later he will flip over onto his back and moult. leave him for about 3-4 days after for the exosceleton to harden before feedind but always leave a water supply. My Brachys seem to like a long drink a day or so after a moult. Hope this helps.

As for hide covering, thats what my Pterinochilus do, it is to protect themselves from predators when moulting. My H. lividium has covered over her burrow and is moulting now, anyone casually looking in wouldn't know where the entrance was. Don't worry, after moulting the little one will dig itself out again easily.

[Elaine Ross]

Thanks Nicola, that does help.

The problem is that I cant see the wee soul now that it has barricaded itself into the hide so dont know what its colour is like. Its not due to be fed for another couple of days so I will try feeding then and remove the crickets again if not eaten.

Good grief I sound like a worried mum lol. I will be keeping my eyes open for signs of movement.

Elaine

[Colin D Wilson]

Hi Elaine, my advice will be to leave him / her. looks like he / she is getting ready.
I know Brachy's sometimes web themself in so don't worry, keep an eye on the temp and humidity and in a few days you'll have a "little bit bigger" friend.

[Elaine Ross]

Thanks Colin

The temp is around 25c and I sprayed the tank a couple of days ago. I was told these guys like it better on the dry side so it isnt very humid in there.

Should I spray again or leave alone?

Elaine

Edited to add: This is nerve wracking.

[Daniel Carpenter]

It should be o.k to leave Brachy's do like it to be dryer ...rather then wetter ...so dont worry to much. If its to wet they can be known to go off there food.
Dan.

[Elaine Ross]

Thanks Dan, that has put my mind at rest a little bit

Elaine

[Colin D Wilson]

Temps acceptable, normally a degree or two drop at night time is considered beneficial by some.

If it seems VERY dry (i.e. crumbly DRY substrate) in there maybe a light misting to raise humidity to around 75%, although as Dan said they do like it dryer.

And all should go well,

at the end of the day some spiders don't follow the same books we do, and just seem to get on with things when we're the panicing ones.

[Daniel Carpenter]

Thats very true.... The best way to learn what your tarantula likes is by watching it and keeping records of its almost every move, this way you learn alot and learn that the books are not always right
Dan.

[Elaine Ross]

Thanks Colin. The substrate is very dry but also not very good substrate anyway. I was going to change it in the next day or two once the new stuff had dried a bit. I will go ahead and carefully mist the tank.

Elaine