Ice Cube in the corner.

[Richard Shah]

Hey Y'all,

Since I rehoused Ice Cube, she/he hasn't really used the flower pot hide, except very rarely to retreat to it when I open the box (usually she/he pretty much stays where he is), but I noticed he/she likes to sit on top of the flower pot, from what I'd imagine, would be a pretty tight space from there to the lid of the box; she/he seems to love that area and I dunno why!
I have no problem with this, and I like to see that he/she has preferences, but what if it decided to moult there, I'd have no clue and lift the opaque lid to find it moulting. Could that not screw him/her up if I did that?? Also, if it webbed in that corner due to moulting, then wouldn't I most likely really mess it up?
I really hope he/she changes his/her mind. I'm not sure if this has anything or nothing to do with it, but I remember putting water on the substrate on top of the plant pot hide, so that it stuck, and only drizzled water on the rest of the substrate? I wonder if it likes moist substrate??? (As opposed to the feelings and views discussed in my original "Ice Cube" thread)


Thank you,

Rich!

[Kate Arbon]

Hey Rich. Is this the ferrero rocher box you mentioned? Can you see in through the side and check where she (hopeful thinking for you ) is before opening the lid?

I can't imagine she would try to moult on top of the pot unless it is very large. She'd want somewhere soft, flat and secure. Most of my Ts moult either on the ground at the side of the tank or inside pots etc. Also bear in mind she is still settling in. Spiders usually take a week or two to get used to a new home and some can take a month or more. I reckon she will come down once she settles a bit and start spending more time on the ground or in the pot.

[Richard Shah]

Hey Rich. Is this the ferrero rocher box you mentioned? Can you see in through the side and check where she (hopeful thinking for you ) is before opening the lid?

I can't imagine she would try to moult on top of the pot unless it is very large. She'd want somewhere soft, flat and secure. Most of my Ts moult either on the ground at the side of the tank or inside pots etc. Also bear in mind she is still settling in. Spiders usually take a week or two to get used to a new home and some can take a month or more. I reckon she will come down once she settles a bit and start spending more time on the ground or in the pot.

I sure hope so!
Nah, the FR box was too small lol! I just dampened the substrate a little bit, and hopefully that won't have any negative effects.
Yes, I'll let her (yeah, I want it to be female of course lol!) settle in, and I feel like an AH cuz I keep taking the top off and looking at him/her... I should let him/her settle for a few weeks and only look into the tank during feeding time but I can't help it!
He/she hasn't eaten once, but maybe it's cuz the feed wasn't live but freshly killed cuz they were large; I'm getting micro crickets in on Wednesday and carry on attempting to feed it dead crickets.
The container is translucent and the top is opaque; here, look:



Ice Cube!!

[Kate Arbon]

Yeah I know how tricky it is to not keep checking in. I just got my 25th T today but I still can't help looking in on them all about 10 times a day! I don't think it bothers them too much. Yeah they would probably prefer being left alone but hey, think of periodic harrassment by a curious human as being how they pay their rent As long as you're not poking it or messing around with its environment it probably won't be bothered.

Ice Cube looks pretty well fed so I'm not surprised if it's not too hungry right now. Don't worry about a thing sounds like you got everything going okay

[Peter Roach]

He/she hasn't eaten once, but maybe it's cuz the feed wasn't live but freshly killed cuz they were large; I'm getting micro crickets in on Wednesday and carry on attempting to feed it dead crickets.

Your sling is probably on the flower pot because it doesnt like the vermiculite you are using as a substrate and this is the only place it can get away from it.
Can i ask why you are feeding a perfectly healthy sling dead crickets ?

Micro crickets are OK for very tiny slings of 1cm or smaller but IMHO not the ideal size for a 3cm sling.
Small tarantulas can take down crickets almost their own size without too much trouble.
My smithi's are about the same size as yours and they get no 4 or adult brown crickets and they munch on them quite happily.
When they were smaller they got maggots AND large flies to eat.



Brachypelma Smithi munching on a maggot slightly larger than itself


Brachypelma boehmei attacking its lunch

[Andrew Ferguson]

I understand where you are coming from Richard when you say you keep taking the lid off to see Ice Cube. I was the same until I got one of these

http://www.thespidershop.co.uk/insect/product_info.php?products_id=1159

They are really cheap and allow perfect visibility. You just open a hatch in the lid and drop in the food. My Smiffy walks all over it and even up on the lid. It'll do you a long time too until the tarantula is big enough to transfer back into that Exo Terra terrarium you have. Then you can use it to house food or your next juvenile



Also, if you look in the reflection, you can see how I keep my live food or tarantula from drowning in the water dish / bottle top; I put a small pebble in there to act as a stepping stone.

[Andrew Ferguson]

Just to add to Peter's post, check out this

http://thebts.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3685

That's Smiffy munching on what was a live cricket, and not a particularly small one either judging by the remains that are left over!

[Richard Shah]

Yeah I know how tricky it is to not keep checking in. I just got my 25th T today but I still can't help looking in on them all about 10 times a day! I don't think it bothers them too much. Yeah they would probably prefer being left alone but hey, think of periodic harrassment by a curious human as being how they pay their rent As long as you're not poking it or messing around with its environment it probably won't be bothered.

Ice Cube looks pretty well fed so I'm not surprised if it's not too hungry right now. Don't worry about a thing sounds like you got everything going okay

Lol - thanks Kate.

Your sling is probably on the flower pot because it doesnt like the vermiculite you are using as a substrate and this is the only place it can get away from it.
Can i ask why you are feeding a perfectly healthy sling dead crickets ?

Micro crickets are OK for very tiny slings of 1cm or smaller but IMHO not the ideal size for a 3cm sling.
Small tarantulas can take down crickets almost their own size without too much trouble.
My smithi's are about the same size as yours and they get no 4 or adult brown crickets and they munch on them quite happily.
When they were smaller they got maggots AND large flies to eat.



Brachypelma Smithi munching on a maggot slightly larger than itself


Brachypelma boehmei attacking its lunch

But, I am pretty sure that most sources of info. say you shouldn't give a T. live prey (crickets) that are more than half its size???
And also, my black crickets are generally bigger than IC - so I dnt think IC would be capable of taking down such large prey.
About the substrate, I do not think that would you said is true, because I understand the logic, but there is a thick layer of vermicuilte on that flower pot.
If I buy hat is mentioned in Andrew's post, I'll order it with a coir block.

I understand where you are coming from Richard when you say you keep taking the lid off to see Ice Cube. I was the same until I got one of these

http://www.thespidershop.co.uk/insect/product_info.php?products_id=1159

They are really cheap and allow perfect visibility. You just open a hatch in the lid and drop in the food. My Smiffy walks all over it and even up on the lid. It'll do you a long time too until the tarantula is big enough to transfer back into that Exo Terra terrarium you have. Then you can use it to house food or your next juvenile



Also, if you look in the reflection, you can see how I keep my live food or tarantula from drowning in the water dish / bottle top; I put a small pebble in there to act as a stepping stone.

I probably will order this if TSS gets their coir blocks back in, cuz it looks like this will only cost me little over £5 (but that is a lot of money on top of everything else I've bought).
BTW, been meaning to ask you this cuz you keep talking abut it lol; where did you get those plastic plants from?
About the water dish, I'm sorted with that I already use stones; cheers anyway and thanks for the help.

Just to add to Peter's post, check out this

http://thebts.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3685

That's Smiffy munching on what was a live cricket, and not a particularly small one either judging by the remains that are left over!

Hmm - kl. I must try this then, and hopefully Smiffy and Peter's T.s (unlikely that they are all crazy) aren't just crazy, or if so, I hope mine is too!!


Thank you everybody, what you've all said has been a great help!!!

[Peter Lacey]

Richard, your asking questions galore, getting lots of great response and then ignoring what's been said. That's quite frustrating for those offering their help.

You shouldn't expect your tarantula to just settle in within a few hrs. It probably needs a week to feel comfortable. Initially it will stay in a very small space and gradually extend out to explore the enclosure. The larger the enclosure the less likely it is to do this! especially if your T is small. The FR box would have been perfect for your T, its completely transparent offering great viewing on every side. I still have my C. cyaneopubescens in one (approx 2&1/2"), remember 2-3 times the size of the T is all that's required and will help the T feel more comfortable. Take a look: http://thebts.co.uk/forums/attachmen...2&d=1202877122

Vermiculite on its own doesn't make a good substrate for terrestrials. Its too light and therefore the tarantula can't get a good footing and nor can they burrow in it. Its also the same colour as mites so you'd not observe them until your substrate (and possibly your tarantula) was infested with them! Personally I wouldn't put more than 25% vermiculite in with a peat or coco fibre substrate.

Your 3cm T will probably ignore or get pestered by pin head crickets. As Peter suggests the Ts will eat food items as big as themselves but as a guide I usually go by the size of the abdomen to determine the correct size.

Richard, please take some notes of the advice you're given, much of which I hasten to add is basic care available in books and by a simple google search for tarantula care sheets. You'll get much more out of the hobby if you try to find the answers yourself because it will introduce you to new species, thoughts and ideas. Also, you really don't need to quote every response

[Tom Forman]

People do successfully keep T's on vermiculite but I have never liked the stuff. I managed to get a coir block off thespidershop for 2 quid recently but it seems you can only buy it in bulk now?

Plastic plants are a great addition, not just to make the T feel it is more out of sight but they look good too. Generally your local reptile shop should sell some.

The reason you should not feed too big of a cricket is cause crickets are aggressive. A maggot can be as big as it wants. A while ago I was worried about having fed a much too big waxworm, he just ate what he wanted and left the rest. Also cricket without legs -> not that dangerous anymore

Makes perfect sense to me that he would hide on the flower pot.
Just think, as a spider,what area in your tupperware box would you feel most secure in? = the shallowest area or the darkest. He has gone for both by chosing the top of the flower pot.

[Richard Shah]

Richard, your asking questions galore, getting lots of great response and then ignoring what's been said. That's quite frustrating for those offering their help.

You shouldn't expect your tarantula to just settle in within a few hrs. It probably needs a week to feel comfortable. Initially it will stay in a very small space and gradually extend out to explore the enclosure. The larger the enclosure the less likely it is to do this! especially if your T is small. The FR box would have been perfect for your T, its completely transparent offering great viewing on every side. I still have my C. cyaneopubescens in one (approx 2&1/2"), remember 2-3 times the size of the T is all that's required and will help the T feel more comfortable. Take a look: http://thebts.co.uk/forums/attachmen...2&d=1202877122

Vermiculite on its own doesn't make a good substrate for terrestrials. Its too light and therefore the tarantula can't get a good footing and nor can they burrow in it. Its also the same colour as mites so you'd not observe them until your substrate (and possibly your tarantula) was infested with them! Personally I wouldn't put more than 25% vermiculite in with a peat or coco fibre substrate.

Your 3cm T will probably ignore or get pestered by pin head crickets. As Peter suggests the Ts will eat food items as big as themselves but as a guide I usually go by the size of the abdomen to determine the correct size.

Richard, please take some notes of the advice you're given, much of which I hasten to add is basic care available in books and by a simple google search for tarantula care sheets. You'll get much more out of the hobby if you try to find the answers yourself because it will introduce you to new species, thoughts and ideas. Also, you really don't need to quote every response

Lol; but I just like to quote every response because I want the people that responded to know that I have acknowledged their response and appreciate it.
I am going to buy the Faunarium because, even though it is larger than the FR box or the box I'm using now, I have accepted that the T. will hide in the smallest area it can and come out gradually after days or even weeks.

I'm sorry that you feel people's responses are getting ignored, and I'll will make sure they weren't.

People do successfully keep T's on vermiculite but I have never liked the stuff. I managed to get a coir block off thespidershop for 2 quid recently but it seems you can only buy it in bulk now?

Plastic plants are a great addition, not just to make the T feel it is more out of sight but they look good too. Generally your local reptile shop should sell some.

The reason you should not feed too big of a cricket is cause crickets are aggressive. A maggot can be as big as it wants. A while ago I was worried about having fed a much too big waxworm, he just ate what he wanted and left the rest. Also cricket without legs -> not that dangerous anymore

Makes perfect sense to me that he would hide on the flower pot.
Just think, as a spider,what area in your tupperware box would you feel most secure in? = the shallowest area or the darkest. He has gone for both by chosing the top of the flower pot.

Tom, now they don't even seem to be selling them, so I sent an email to see if they are coming back in stock (Lee was probably running low and had already sorted his coir blocks to be sold in bulk or single, and only had bulk left - at least that is what I'd do).
I'm gonna buy another coir block soon - and can see why vermicuilte can be a rubbish substrate, and I dnt really like it either. As Peter Roach originally said, imagine walking on marshmallows all day!

Thank you Peter and Tom.

[Peter Lacey]

Faunarium: 24L x 16W x 17H cm cost: £3.40 + p&p
Smithi: 3cm
Suggested size for enclosure 2-3 times size of T = 9x9x9cm
Tub of grapes from Sainsburys: £1.39 just needs emptying, washing and filling with substrate:

http://www.sainsburys.com/groceries/index.jsp?bmUID=1207396423566

You might also try the strawberries, raspberries, mellon or better still go into a supermarket or delicatessen and get a tub for olives. insert holes and fill with substrate. Priceless!

[Richard Shah]

Faunarium: 24L x 16W x 17H cm cost: £3.40 + p&p
Smithi: 3cm
Suggested size for enclosure 2-3 times size of T = 9x9x9cm
Tub of grapes from Sainsburys: £1.39 just needs emptying, washing and filling with substrate:

http://www.sainsburys.com/groceries/index.jsp?bmUID=1207396423566

You might also try the strawberries, raspberries, mellon or better still go into a supermarket or delicatessen and get a tub for olives. insert holes and fill with substrate. Priceless!

I'm gonna buy a coir block anyway so I may as well spend the extra two pounds and buy a faunarium; Smiffy seems content with his.
I do see your point and may decide to follow it, but if I don't, please do not feel like I'm ignoring your advice.
Thank you Peter,
Rich.

[Peter Lacey]

Its not that I feel you're ignoring my advice Richard, afterall I'm new to this, but you are being given advice by people who have kept Ts for a long time and you seen to go around in circles with your questions. My advice is what I've picked up in a short space of time from reading 3 recommended books, every day reading forums such as this one and asking direct to hobbyists. Forgetfulness is excusable, going against tried and tested methods is questionable. You say you don't have the money and then you waste it on purchases such as coir and faunariums. If you'd have come to my house for the Essex meet I'd gladly have given you a curly and set-up for free. The cost of setting up a tarantula for a pet needn't be more than a fiver, no special requirements, no special substrate, no magical devices, most things are to hand and therefore no postal costs either. Knowing you're not too flushed and knowing this is your first it just frustrates me to see you waste your money and some of the info provided.
Sorry for my frankness, hope you soon find something suitable.

[Richard Shah]

Its not that I feel you're ignoring my advice Richard, afterall I'm new to this, but you are being given advice by people who have kept Ts for a long time and you seen to go around in circles with your questions. My advice is what I've picked up in a short space of time from reading 3 recommended books, every day reading forums such as this one and asking direct to hobbyists. Forgetfulness is excusable, going against tried and tested methods is questionable. You say you don't have the money and then you waste it on purchases such as coir and faunariums. If you'd have come to my house for the Essex meet I'd gladly have given you a curly and set-up for free. The cost of setting up a tarantula for a pet needn't be more than a fiver, no special requirements, no special substrate, no magical devices, most things are to hand and therefore no postal costs either. Knowing you're not too flushed and knowing this is your first it just frustrates me to see you waste your money and some of the info provided.
Sorry for my frankness, hope you soon find something suitable.

Yeah I noticed I'm going round in circles too - I do that a lot lol.
So, for substrate, I should just take normal soil and nuke it in the oven?
I wish I did come to the meet-up, Curly or no (and I am really thankful that you would've given me one with a set-up for free), but I didn't realize it was 30th March (I thought originally it was close to when you started the thread, and then when you told me it was the 30th, I was too late to make arrangements for myself to go).
I'm glad that you care about this, so thank you.

I'm going to leave my T. be for a week, see how he/she does. If it is still up there on the flower pot or seemingly uncomfortable with the vermicuilte, then I'll take some soil or peat moss and nuke it, sort my T. out with proper dirt substrate, and hopefully all should be good.