Smiffy the smithi has fallen out with me.

[Andrew Ferguson]

Since I've had Smiffy, (s)he has only munched on two crickets. The tiny ones the size of an apple pip. I put another in yesterday and it ran into the flower pot burrow and Smiffy got all lined up to bite when the cricket clambered through the drainage holes in the pot and vanished into the substrate. This morning I went to check and Smiffy was in the same position (s)he had been in for several hours, with its face seriously focused on the drainage holes.
This morning, same thing but something else happened which although I was prepared for, I didn't expect so soon. Hair flicking. I didn't see any, but I quite clearly saw legs moving rapidly over the abdomen. I left alone and went to work. That was 11 hours ago. When I got in I checked again. Same scenario. Glued to the drainage holes and flicking hairs. Has my spider fallen out with me already?

I think I'll leave well alone for a day or so before checking again. Hopefully I may be forgiven by my new spider.

[Louise~Nichols]

I'd not be too worried Andrew! Brachys are kickers...and some are worse than others. I suppose you have to look at it from the depersonalised point of view to understand it more. They neither like or dislike us...we just exist. And some find our large looming presence more disturbing than others...some become familiar with our routine of peering in, or cleaning, or feeding...whilst others just have this need to make us go away and not eat them! lol

[Andrew Ferguson]

Thanks Louise. I understand what you are saying, and did before I posted my thread. I'll just see it the same way my Mum and Dad's cat would scratch and bite me when he was a kitten, young and somewhat afraid of the big thing thats keep gawping at it, ie me.

[Traci Barker]

I know what you mean by having a Smithi that appear's not to like you very much I rescued one about 7 months back and the darn thing has never been greatful always gives me a face full of them lovely hairs as soon as I go any where near her. Ho well, there you go I like her, so I guess she is out of luck

[Andrew Ferguson]

Redemption!!!!

I've just seen Smiffy stalk one of the crickets and there was a standoff. Cricket v Tarantula. One stood still, the other poised ready to strike and me stood there with my heart pounding so loudly it could have been heard next door. The cricket moved and one of its antennae touched a front leg and BAM!!!!!! Dinner was served. This was the first strike I'd seen and it was so thrilling. If Smiffy was pee'd off at me, it just apologised by showing me something I'd been longing to see. Thank you Smiffy, you've made a new owner extremely happy.

And for no other reason, here is my little beauty

[Traci Barker]

Well done Smiffy

[scotttaylor]

that remined me of when i got my chile rose i was so worried i would do some think rong,
my chile likes me till i try and put her in a pot to clean her did it to day and she nearly ran out of my contaner be for i got the lid on.
has your T molted yet woch out for a change in it after mine used to be timed around food i rember a meal worm hat to tuch her leg till she ate it she nearly ran off lol. now wow as soon as she see them there ded and she fills her face with meal worms, i think the record is 3 in 1 time lol

[Andrew Ferguson]

A moult could be in order. When I first got it (a week ago) it was quite happy to wander around its home, climb the walls. Even dug two random holes
But for a few days (s)he has been happy to stay in his / her flower pot burrow, especially since I sank it deeper into the substrate. Staying almost motionless, except for yesterday evenings display. I never knew doing nothing could be so fascinating

[Nicola Dolby]

They're great spiders, B. smithis. And a great name. Mine (Rosa) is in pre-moult at the moment, so she's pretty quiet unlike my loony B. bohemi. The other day he was on the side of his petpal whilst I was doing his water so I gently blew on him to make him move. He turned round, stuck two spinnerets up at me and kicked hairs in my direction. I know I've not got bad breath so I guess its his problem!