Moult whilst in hiding?

[Andrew Ferguson]

, and maybe a colossal tank with a Shark!

You planning on buying Seaworld?

[Richard Shah]

I've always wanted a jellyfish tank, filled with green red and blue lights.

Seen one once in my life and it was stunning. It looked like one big living lava lamp.

I can imagine... that would be wicked. It is crazy whenever I go to a beach, in different countries, and there are jellyfish on the shore, cuz it is quite tempting to lift it up, but as soon as you do, it splits in half because jellyfish are so fragile...

[Richard Shah]

You planning on buying Seaworld?

Lol - I cannot recall visiting seaworld and seeing many sharks there. All the same, it has been a few years (four, I think) and I cannot remember if there were many sharks there!

[Tom Forman]

check this out

[ame="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RIO9b-867KA"]YouTube - LED Jellyfish Aquarium[/ame]

although not alive, this is the best thing ever.

I didn't ever think I'd ever get a jellyfish tank cause raising the plankton etc is alot of work.

But I might just get one of these.

[Louise~Nichols]

I hope you are right and not Louise, cuz it means I'm doing everything right and not wrong! (Sorry Louise, but you can see why I hope you're wrong!). I'll act on your advice, although I know the T. has definitely been coming out and pretty sure that not all the water in its dish went cuz of evaporation (although the surface area is quite large).

Now I didn't say he wasn't pre-moult, just that there are other factors to consider! My feelings about IC not being totally pre-moult at that time are based on the following facts: you say he's still coming out of the pot when you're out...usually they would stay hidden if moult was imminent, although as I said before, not necessarily, as mine moult in the open just as often. So, if IC comes out then quickly returns to *base*, I'd be thinking more that he was uncomfortable with the heat outside of his shelter and hence doesnt remain exposed for long. But if you're going to reduce the heat slightly anyways, that's all well and good...a very sensible precaution!
I'd say your water loss is evaporation, for the most part Smithi's don't guzzle water, not unless they are too hot, most of the moisture comes from food they consume. You've also got the possibility that he's knocking the dish....or is it too heavy for IC to tip up?

Yep, all is well thank you. And good to 'see' - lol - well, talk to you too!

I prefer Veoh; the quality is way better! (I'm a geek I know... )
I understand your logic, but I prefer calling it 'the thing I look after with eight legs, that most people would be scared of, or think "What the hell?" when they see it!"

Moonboots sort of is, if you think about it, because that tank is his planet; most likely, he knows no better than to assume there is little beyond his existence. If it could talk, we would know what it thought about it being kept as a pet, about its life, and if it liked the way it lived or not.
TBH, I sometimes think about, if (and there is a big if) there was a race of people superior to us, that couldn't relate to or understand us, but kept us as pets, regardless of how much they simulated our environment, how we'd feel, and if we could apply that to the T.s, and likewise, other animals.

Ahhhh see, big difference there, none of my *babies* are viewed as *things*...or with a novelty factor to them, I always try to help folks to identify with them as living beings, not objects of fear. The fact you gave your spider a name surely means you identify with Ice Cube as more than just a *shock in a box*? lol

Moonboots and his own planet...hmmm...nope, he knows there are other spiders next to him, above him and around him and they drum back when he drums his feet...we have over 200 here, so it sounds like radiation on a Geiger counter most evenings!! Despite more than 30 years of listening to tapping, I still can't de-code it. LOL He's just a very assertive spider, always the one to stroll out of his home when I remove the lid for cleaning out and water bowl washing...then he sits and watches me from the carpet while I tidy up as if to say *hurry up with it woman!*

But anyhow...enough of me rambling, let us know how IC's bald patch is looking if you get the chance for a peek. Good luck, and remember...it's not all about right or wrong ways here, it's about learning to improve on how we provide for them in captivity, and we all learn new things everyday.

[Richard Shah]

check this out

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RIO9b-867KA

although not alive, this is the best thing ever.

I didn't ever think I'd ever get a jellyfish tank cause raising the plankton etc is alot of work.

But I might just get one of these.

Not alive???
All the same, that is pretty g.!

Now I didn't say he wasn't pre-moult, just that there are other factors to consider! My feelings about IC not being totally pre-moult at that time are based on the following facts: you say he's still coming out of the pot when you're out...usually they would stay hidden if moult was imminent, although as I said before, not necessarily, as mine moult in the open just as often. So, if IC comes out then quickly returns to *base*, I'd be thinking more that he was uncomfortable with the heat outside of his shelter and hence doesnt remain exposed for long. But if you're going to reduce the heat slightly anyways, that's all well and good...a very sensible precaution!

kl, although I do not think it is that hot in my room. It is possible the cricket found its way into the hide, however, is it possible it buried itself into the substrate (or likely at least) ??
I'd say your water loss is evaporation, for the most part Smithi's don't guzzle water, not unless they are too hot, most of the moisture comes from food they consume. You've also got the possibility that he's knocking the dish....or is it too heavy for IC to tip up?
Nah, quite light, quite light. Probably evaporation as you and I have suggested.


Ahhhh see, big difference there, none of my *babies* are viewed as *things*...or with a novelty factor to them, I always try to help folks to identify with them as living beings, not objects of fear. The fact you gave your spider a name surely means you identify with Ice Cube as more than just a *shock in a box*? lol
Lol. Nah, I regard them very well as living, acceptable things. I probably shouldn't have used the pronoun 'Thing' - it gives the wrong impression!
TBH I bought IC because I thought it would be kool, but also to show that they were not bad animals at all.
Other spiders still scare the hell out of me though - and although it is easier to squash them, it is way more humane to take them out in a glass and let them run free!
Moonboots and his own planet...hmmm...nope, he knows there are other spiders next to him, above him and around him and they drum back when he drums his feet...we have over 200 here, so it sounds like radiation on a Geiger counter most evenings!! Despite more than 30 years of listening to tapping, I still can't de-code it. LOL He's just a very assertive spider, always the one to stroll out of his home when I remove the lid for cleaning out and water bowl washing...then he sits and watches me from the carpet while I tidy up as if to say *hurry up with it woman!*

Lol! Rahh, that's crazy, though amazing number in your collection. And to think other have even bigger - I still ask why you do it. One tarantula is enough to cope with for me, but two, I can do too.
The drumming... hmm.. may make a good media piece tbh!
But anyhow...enough of me rambling, let us know how IC's bald patch is looking if you get the chance for a peek. Good luck, and remember...it's not all about right or wrong ways here, it's about learning to improve on how we provide for them in captivity, and we all learn new things everyday.

Well, I hope to learn that Ice Cube is still alive, however his hide was changing last week; extensions (lol) new holes appearing where he'd blatantly been coming out, then being sealed off again, the extensions decreasing in size. However, haven't noticed anythiong really in the last day or two. I hope IC is okay!
I'll definitely hit you back on the bald patch, if and when I see it!

Thanks Louise

[Andrew Ferguson]

I've always wanted a jellyfish tank, filled with green red and blue lights.

Seen one once in my life and it was stunning. It looked like one big living lava lamp.

Just swerving o/t for a moment. Tom, if you get a chance to go to The Deep in Hull (they have sharks Richard!), they have a fantastic jellyfish tank. I'll try and find the photo I took to show you.

[Richard Shah]

Just swerving o/t for a moment. Tom, if you get a chance to go to The Deep in Hull (they have sharks Richard!), they have a fantastic jellyfish tank. I'll try and find the photo I took to show you.

Lol - that wud be kl.
I've seen many Sharks in my life however; my mum likes to travel a lot, and she takes me with her - which is great cuz I love visiting other countries, except European countries though; I do not know why, but European countries do not interest me! Poland inc. (I'm haf Polish, half Indian ).
Anyway how this relates to Sharks is, well many tourist attractions I've been to have them, and I used to like drawing sharks like the Great White and the Hammerhead as a kid. If I was to get a Shark however, it would be a Basking Shark.
Now they are absolutely wicked!

[Louise~Nichols]

Well, I hope to learn that Ice Cube is still alive, however his hide was changing last week; extensions (lol) new holes appearing where he'd blatantly been coming out, then being sealed off again, the extensions decreasing in size. However, haven't noticed anythiong really in the last day or two. I hope IC is okay!
I'll definitely hit you back on the bald patch, if and when I see it!

Thanks Louise

Hi Rich,
I'm sure your little friend is doing just fine, maybe while he's been hidden this last week that bald patch has started to go black. You never know, a freshly moulted IC could come strolling out anytime.
You may have heard the saying *give me strength to accept what I cannot change, and the will to change what I cannot accept*...well with spids, for the most part, we just have to accept what we cannot change. When things do go wrong with them, we have only very basic first aid measures to assist, so other than doing our best to care for them, we're also pretty helpless/restricted when things go wrong. So, if something goes wrong with IC during his life with you (and I'm not thinking on a negative score here, just trying to offer reassurances), don't take it as being your fault, or that you did something *wrong*. You show a lot of concern for young scuttlebum, so don't take it to heart that he's always hiding....he's not doing it to spite you, he's just doing what he needs to do in order to get maximum life quality.

And as for *why do we do it* in reference to my large collection...lol...I do it:
a) Because there are so many fabulous tarantulas out there.
b) Because I can!
c) I like to have a diversity of specimens to understand and study.
d) I'm dedicated to my hobby...and I like to evolve with the flow of it.
e) More knowledge gathered, means more to share with others.
f) I like the *Geiger counter effect* in the evenings! lol
g) I have too many cockroaches to own a small collection (okay getting silly now )
h) I'm addicted to my eight-legged buddies.
i) I enjoy breeding a wide range of tarantula, and contributing to a proliferation of captive bred specimens on the market.

j).....shall I shut up now?? hehehe

Anyway, you know my fingers are crossed for you with IC's moult (whenever that may be!), and I'll look forward to your updates...do you think you could post me a photo of his current home, so I can see his barricades? Catch ya soon.

[Richard Shah]

Hi Rich,
I'm sure your little friend is doing just fine, maybe while he's been hidden this last week that bald patch has started to go black. You never know, a freshly moulted IC could come strolling out anytime.
That would be funny and great, if that was to happen.
You may have heard the saying *give me strength to accept what I cannot change, and the will to change what I cannot accept*...well with spids, for the most part, we just have to accept what we cannot change. When things do go wrong with them, we have only very basic first aid measures to assist, so other than doing our best to care for them, we're also pretty helpless/restricted when things go wrong. So, if something goes wrong with IC during his life with you (and I'm not thinking on a negative score here, just trying to offer reassurances), don't take it as being your fault, or that you did something *wrong*. You show a lot of concern for young scuttlebum, so don't take it to heart that he's always hiding....he's not doing it to spite you, he's just doing what he needs to do in order to get maximum life quality.
I know, but it would be a shame. However, if anything does happen to him at this stage, then I have a nice set-up for a proper juvenile, in my exo terra! So, if anything (but I hope not) does happen, then I will order a juvenile Brachypelma Auratum. Thanks Louise. BTW, I haven't heard that quote before, or at least in full...
And as for *why do we do it* in reference to my large collection...lol...I do it:
a) Because there are so many fabulous tarantulas out there.
b) Because I can!
c) I like to have a diversity of specimens to understand and study.
d) I'm dedicated to my hobby...and I like to evolve with the flow of it.
e) More knowledge gathered, means more to share with others.
f) I like the *Geiger counter effect* in the evenings! lol
g) I have too many cockroaches to own a small collection (okay getting silly now )
h) I'm addicted to my eight-legged buddies.
i) I enjoy breeding a wide range of tarantula, and contributing to a proliferation of captive bred specimens on the market.

j).....shall I shut up now?? hehehe
Lol - nah, I understood all those reasons, but it requires so much time, so much dedication (which, of course you, and most on these forums have; dedication I mean). But I could not stand the idea of having 300 + crickets/roaches to take out, feeding those 300 mouths, checking those 300 tanks 24 hours later to see if the food has gone, and then if it hasn't, removing them all. And then there are 300 tanks to do routine and spot-cleaning with as well!
I'm probably exaggerating about the figures, but a sixth of that is too crazy as well! (For me...)
However, I admire the dedication to the hobby; so well done Louise and others alike on these and similar forums!
Anyway, you know my fingers are crossed for you with IC's moult (whenever that may be!), and I'll look forward to your updates...do you think you could post me a photo of his current home, so I can see his barricades? Catch ya soon.

Sure, but I am a bit busy with end of year test revision... especially Maths, cuz in our year, top set do year 9 work, instead of year 8. So I'll hit back soon with some pics!
Thanks a lot Louise!

[Louise~Nichols]

Sure, but I am a bit busy with end of year test revision... especially Maths, cuz in our year, top set do year 9 work, instead of year 8. So I'll hit back soon with some pics!
Thanks a lot Louise!

You're very welcome, Rich...and good luck with that end of year test, I'm sure you'll do well; my daughter Caitlin is also revising hard at the moment, she's top set too...but getting very fed up with studies due to the weather being so nice!

And if you manage to swing some weight and want a second spider, let me know...I have juvenile B. Auratum sitting here spare.

[Richard Shah]

You're very welcome, Rich...and good luck with that end of year test, I'm sure you'll do well; my daughter Caitlin is also revising hard at the moment, she's top set too...but getting very fed up with studies due to the weather being so nice!

And if you manage to swing some weight and want a second spider, let me know...I have juvenile B. Auratum sitting here spare.

Thanks! Arr once I finish these tests, I have so much plans to carry out; hanging with friends, mixing tunes, carrying on with and completing my film. Summer's gonna be great!
Good luck to your daughter Caitlin!

I'll P/M you about the B. Auratem later on, that sounds great Louise!

Thanks again

[Louise~Nichols]

Thanks! Arr once I finish these tests, I have so much plans to carry out; hanging with friends, mixing tunes, carrying on with and completing my film. Summer's gonna be great!
Good luck to your daughter Caitlin!

I'll P/M you about the B. Auratem later on, that sounds great Louise!

Thanks again

Thanks to you too, Cait appreciated the good luck wishes.

Anyways, you're very welcome, the Auratum will stay here safe and sound til you're ready, and when ya want it, we'll sort out address swaps etc for me to post it to you. Cost I hear you ask? Just cover the £6 P&P, and that's all.

[Richard Shah]

Thanks to you too, Cait appreciated the good luck wishes.

Anyways, you're very welcome, the Auratum will stay here safe and sound til you're ready, and when ya want it, we'll sort out address swaps etc for me to post it to you. Cost I hear you ask? Just cover the £6 P&P, and that's all.

Seriously?? That would be WICKED! I will P/M you my details... thanks Louise!!!!!!

[Louise~Nichols]

Seriously?? That would be WICKED! I will P/M you my details... thanks Louise!!!!!!

Yes, absolutely seriously!! Just let me know when you're okay to have it posted out, give me a *thumbs up* from your mum, and I'll get it sent. You can send payment back to me after you've received the youngster okay?

And...You're very, very welcome.