New Curly Hair

[Paddy Pokorny]

Hey
After wanting a tarantula for years.. I finally decided to get one, and yesterday I got my first curly hair
I've set up her tank, put about 2 or so inches of substrate, a fake plants in the corner and I was given a bit of bark..

But she keeps deciding to scale the wall of the tank (It's 12 x 12 x 12) and sits at the top.
I got her out, and put at the bottom, and now she's hiding behind the bark at about 1/5 of the way up the tank.. So she seems a bit better
But could it have something to do with damp substrate etc? It isn't dry, but it's not waterlogged either.. So I don't know :9
I don't want anything to happen to her

Any help would be appreciated.. Along with any other first timer tips :P

(I've included pictures of her & the tank (In the picture of the tank, she's at the top of the tank by the fake plant )

Thank you ^^


Admin note: Handling image removed as per rules of this forum, please read the rules regarding such images.

[Anita Pile]

Hi Paddy,

I can understand your concern, but it is quite a common thing when you first introduce a tarantula to an enclosure with fresh substrate.

Yes, you're right, it is highly likely to be the substrate that is too damp, and too damp doesn't have to mean soaking wet! You may find she stays up there until it's dried out enough for her liking. Brachypelmas tend to like it relatively dry. What substrate are you using? To be honest it looks as though you could have it a little deeper (this will also make it a little safer as it'll reduce the height of your enclosure), I've got a couple of Exo Terras myself and have filled them up to the bottom of the black line separating the riser glass from the doors (don't go any higher or you'll block the ventilation). Most terrestrial tarantulas like to burrow, so deeper substrate will allow her to do that. If you're using the coco fibre substrate make sure it is a squeezed out as you possibly can to remove any excess moisture, if you open your hand and it stays formed for a second or two before crumbling then it's about right.

I was trying to work out where you've put the cork bark, is it on it's side, or is it just a very large piece?! If the former, best pop it on the floor so it forms a tunnel, covering up the back of it with substrate, or use half a plant pot on it's side so she can hide away. If it is a large piece, I would have a tendency to either cut a smaller piece off or get rid altogether, you may find the only purpose it serves is to hide crickets, which if she's small will make it quite hard for her to find and eat them. Remember, she lives on the ground so doesn't need anywhere to climb.

What temperature is your terrarium at, I can't see a heat source?

One last thing......if she's chosen to sit somewhere, then it's best not to move her to where you think she should be, like you found, she'll only go back to a place where she feels comfy! There's a good thread running on the tarantula store at the mo about handling, might be worth taking a look!

I hope this has helped,

Regards,

Anita.

[Mark Pennell]

Another common mistake is putting the heat mat under the tank, this will make your tarantula climb up to escape the red hot floor.

If you have you mat under the tank - try moving to the back and place a piece of insulation behind that to reflect the heat into the tank.

And of course as mentioned previously it can take time for tarantulas to settle in a new home.

Regards
Mark
P.S Welcome to the forum.

[Paddy Pokorny]

Thanks for your replies ^^

The cork bark is one big.. bark. It's useless really, and it isn't curved - So tomorrow I'll get a plant pot and replace it.
I'll also add some more substrate then, and then re-introduce her to the new changes (The substrate I'm using is 'Tropical Terranium Substrate')

There is no heat source actually.. The shop I bought her from told me room temperature would be fine, and that a matt wouldn't be necessary. Is that bad?

I'll do all that tomorrow when the shops open and hope that she eventually settles into her new home

Thanks,
Paddy

[Mark Pennell]

Thanks for your replies ^^

The cork bark is one big.. bark. It's useless really, and it isn't curved - So tomorrow I'll get a plant pot and replace it.
I'll also add some more substrate then, and then re-introduce her to the new changes (The substrate I'm using is 'Tropical Terranium Substrate')

There is no heat source actually.. The shop I bought her from told me room temperature would be fine, and that a matt wouldn't be necessary. Is that bad?

I'll do all that tomorrow when the shops open and hope that she eventually settles into her new home

Thanks,
Paddy

Paddy
unless your rooms about 75 - 80 degrees I would use a mat with a thermostat. I do have fair few of mine without such heat but I have found that the brachy's don't do so well and are better heated.

Cheers
Mark

[Ed Sherman]

Hey
After wanting a tarantula for years.. I finally decided to get one, and yesterday I got my first curly hair
I've set up her tank, put about 2 or so inches of substrate, a fake plants in the corner and I was given a bit of bark..

But she keeps deciding to scale the wall of the tank (It's 12 x 12 x 12) and sits at the top.
I got her out, and put at the bottom, and now she's hiding behind the bark at about 1/5 of the way up the tank.. So she seems a bit better
But could it have something to do with damp substrate etc? It isn't dry, but it's not waterlogged either.. So I don't know :9
I don't want anything to happen to her

Any help would be appreciated.. Along with any other first timer tips :P

(I've included pictures of her & the tank (In the picture of the tank, she's at the top of the tank by the fake plant )

Thank you ^^

It generally takes anywherer from 24 hours to 10 days (IME) for them to settle in to a new environment (even new dirt in the same tank in some cases). A little damp won't hurt your curly but he's not much for it. My curly (~3") likes to dig as well so I try to provide 5"-6" of eco earth for her to burrow into. You'll find your curly will want more of a hide than a climb. I would hold off feeding as well until the curly seems settled in. If it's still uncomfortable, the added stress of live food will only unsettle it more.

Welcome to a very rewarding hobby.

[Anita Pile]

Hiya, no worries, I've asked enough questions being a newbie!!

When we set up our first enclosure, we soaked the coco substrate then squeezed it out, even though it seemed very dry to us, the T went and sat on the side for a couple of days! For our second one we separated layers of the coco fibre off it's 'brick' and sprayed it with the spray we use for misting. This meant that we were able to really control how wet the substrate became and were able to crumble it in when it was 'just right'. It also felt cool expanding! It did take aaaaaaaaages (we ended up sitting in front of the TV with the exo terra on the coffee table!!), end result: spider on floor from start

Now, I think I'm right in assuming most people on here would recommend a heat mat for a Brachypelma (unless you have trillions of Ts then you have a heated room!). We have a 5" by 11" heat mat (lucky reptile or similar) on the side of ours and it's connected to a mat stat thermostat. This is great, a) because you don't waste electricity, if your room and therefore terrarium is warm enough (generally when your heating's on) the thermostat goes off, and only comes on again when it starts to cool down, and b) also it stops your spider from becoming too warm, which might happen if the pad was left on all day. Mmmmm have I really just explained how a thermostat works??!!

When you make the adjustments to your tank, encourage your spider back into either the container she came in, or something similar with air holes in, with a chopstick or pencil, holding it in front of her, and nudging her gently should do it. Try not to pick her up if you can help it.

Looking at your water dish, I would also change that to cooled, boiled water and pop in a few small stones (rinsed in boiling water) to stop her/crickets drowning. (I tend to use the gel for my crickets and change it every day). Most people seem to dislike gel for tarantulas.

How big is she? Post pics when you have them!

Hope everything goes ok,

Anita.

[Paddy Pokorny]

Thanks for the replies ^^

Tomorrow I'll get a pot, add an extra inch or so of substrate and change the water round :P
But the exotic shop is quite a way out.. And annoyingly, so the heating mat may have to wait a week or so.

I gave her a cricket a few hours ago, just to see if she was hungry.. And I checked it now, and there's no sign of the cricket - But she's back to the top corner.

But tomorrow I'll make all the adjustments, and give her a week, and hope she feels more at home

[Anita Pile]

You may find that she stays at the top for a while, so don't get too disheartened

Like I said before, I've asked advice from people, both on here and other forums, it's nice to be able to pass it on!

Take care, she'll get there!

[Craig Mackay]

Hi Paddy, and welcome. If your shops out of the way you can buy your supplies online. Check out www.thespidershop.co.uk

They stock everything from all sorts of inverts, live food and all your equipment needs. Might not be worth the postage for ust a heat mat but you may find lots of other things on there that'll come in handy. I use it alot and it comes highly recommended from everyone.

[Michael Peachey]

I'll just be echo'ing what everyone has said, but hopefully it might help.
The best thing is not to worry too much, i had a simular situation when my smithi was housed. He/she went to the top corner of the tank and was up there for 2 or 3 days.

Its fairly classic new housing behaviour, especially if your curly hair is still a young spiderling.

Sometimes, a tarantula will decisde not to use a hide if it isnt happy with the setup. Although this is nothing to worry about, a simple re-shuffle or cutting down the bark size can easy correct that.

Best advise would be, add in a bit more substrate maybe another intch or two; maybe do a tiny re-shuffle or the setup if he/she hasnt come down in a few days and enjoy the ride.

The thing to note about housing tarantula's is there very hardy creatures, and provided the temperate is something you feel comfortable in (24/7) then your tarantula should come to no harm. Thats just a general rule in my opinion, you of course should provide a heat mat if your species generally prefers hotter conditions but generally if the room its in his warm thats fine.

I must say, for a first tank you've done well matey it looks very visual and i have to commend you on your first choice of tarantula, which is a gorgous spider. You'll most certainly end up with a few more eventually.

If you have any worrie's or interestes in your curly hair's caring, type a google search for: Care sheet curly hair or the full species name and you will find an abundence of helpful links. Failing that, you can feel free to contact anyone on the forums of course.

Enjoy paddy and congratulations
Mike

[Paddy Pokorny]

Thanks for all the tips!
Today I added an extra inch or so of substrate, replaced the bark with a flowerpot and swapped the gel water to real water ^^

She's no longer climbing on the walls, but is currently sitting right outside the flowerpot ^^
I've also given her 2 crickets and they've disappeared - so hopefully she's eaten them!

Thanks for the link Craig - I can definately see myself using that in the future

Really appreciate all the help from everyone, makes things a lot easier for me.. Knowing how to make the best for my new little friend

I've attached a picture of the new tank - If there's anything I've done wrong / could improve.. Please tell me!

[Michael Peachey]

Looking good, only thing i can see is the hide is quite high and wide for her, if you have spare substrate add maybe another intch or two into the hide.
Curly hairs to my knowledge are keen burrower's given the oppertunity, as are many Brachypelma's; so i'm sure she'll appreciate the extra substrate for that.
Dont worry too much if its piled up quite high, she'll most likely re-arrange the earth to how she feels comfortable.

Other then that little thing looks spot on

[Anita Pile]

Hey Paddy,

Yeah, looks spot on!

I agree with Michael about the plant pot, I think generally they like their burrows quite snug, but if I was a tarantula I'd move in!! Love the plant! Glad she's doing well, you must be quite relieved! She's beautiful

Have fun!

Anita.

[Craig Mackay]

Rather than putting substrate in to the hide you can just push the flowerpot into the substrate to make it more snug. I usually then put some substrate on top of the pot which makes it look a little more natural. Although, inevitebely it won't stay that way, lol. Personally I would put a lot more substrate in to minimise the damage of a fall. I wouldn't worry about going beyond the ventilation holes below the door as there's still ample ventilation though the mesh on the top. I used to have a chile rose in one of those tanks with the substrate raised right up to about 4 inches from the top which sacrificed the use of the front doors. I find it easier doing maintenence through the top anyway. In the end I thought it wan a waste of good space and moved the chile rose to a smaller plastic tank which she seems to be happier in which allowed me to use the big tank for an adult avicularia sp.

EDIT: Just realised the flower pot might still be in one piece, preventing you from pushing it down further. I cut them in half making sure there are no sharp edges and then you have two hides for when you inevitably get your second T!!