Another spot of unusual behaviour?

[Ian Hall]

Round about a fortnight ago my G.pulchripes barricaded himself in his hide with substrate removed from burrowing (I presume).

I removed the substrate blockage and later that day fed him a single cricket.
Taking the cricket immidiatley, I've "semi" ruled out pre molt behaviour.

On my rounds this morning I've discovered he's done the same thing again. On closer insception I've found that the substrate removed from the hide in parts is held together by webbing.

Picture of my G.pulchripes blocked up hide.




When my 4" Grammostola sp. "Concepicon" burrowed he removed the substrate clear of the entrance which got me wondering about the situation with my G.pulchripes.

Before removing the block I would like to know all your opinions.

Cheers Ian.

[Ian Hall]

I've found that most Grammostola lay a carpet of webbing out side the entrance of their hide (including my G.pulchripes) to detect passing by prey items.

Maybe my G.pulchripes has simply tangled substrate removed from his hide with this webbing?

[Peter Lacey]

I'd leave your Ts in peace when they barricade themselves in. This is obviously for a reason and could well be down to moulting, despite recent feeding. I have Ts that have barricaded themselves away for months!
You're quite right, the laying down of webbing is to detect movement of potential prey and to deter predators as its often layered with urticating hairs.

[Samantha Lewanewsky]

Most of my tarantulas do this when their going to moult

[Paul Moulton]

My GBB does this regularly. There is normally a pile of substrate outside her hide but sometimes she pulls it in to the opening to block it completely. Sometimes for weeks. I know she sneaks out during the night because other bits of web are pulled down or put up but she tries to stay out of sight when in this mood. Other times she lives on top of the hide and won't dive in unless I open the door to feed her.

[Rebecca Norris]

Why remove the substrate? It's barricading itself in for a reason, leave it be. Put food in and if it wants it, the spider will venture out and find it. I never disturb mine if they burrow or seal themselves in.

[Andy Wood]

Maybe the temperature or humidity aren't quite right for the Tarantula at the
mo, so it's sealing itelf away for a while.. you could try altering one or the
other see if it helps...

AndyZoo

[Ian Hall]

Quick update, I've seen him out of his hide today. The humidity and Temp are spot on, don't really see a need for a change in either. I'll just keep my eye on him and keep observing.

Thanks everyone.

[Andy Wood]

The humidity and Temp are spot on, don't really see a need for a change in either.
Thanks everyone.

Good stuff Ian, wasn't hinting that there was anything wrong with your set up.. : )
Spose my train of thought was that I guess in the wild seasonal variations
in temp and humidity will alter behaviour, same might happen in captivity..

AndyZoo

[Ian Hall]

Bad undate!

I've had to disturb my G.pulchripes. I've found MOLD which I didn't see before. I don't no whether the block had anything to do with this but I had to remove him and give his enclosure a full clean, new substrate the lot.

Ps,

Andy Wood you make a good point about the conditions. It is always a good idea to check.

[Ian Hall]

Positive Update

I've removed everything that was in my G.pulchripes enclosure because of molt I found hinding in there and replaced it with new fresh substrate and decor. I also have given the container a good clean.

That was yesterday, on my rounds this morning I found he had blocked up his hide again which is cool by me now because molt wasn't the reason. I'll leave him to it and simply check on him like normal.

Cool Beans!

[Peter Lacey]

Out of interest, how often do you think its necessary to replace everything?

[Ian Hall]

I go by three main rules of a "major cleaning" from The Tarantula Keepers Guide.

When the cage develops an odor.

After every molt.

Whenever a vermin infestation is suspected and or bacterial and fungal infections accure.

[Yvonne Woolley]

My mum always used to say that (There,s nowt as funny as folk) being that we are all so different and as I am finding out that goes for Ts as well it seems that you can have several of the same spiecies and they all have thier own oddities if you know what I mean. as for cleaning, as and when. I hate disturbing any thing unless there is no choice I just take out any bolus and any uneaten food, clean the water bowls and inside of the glass all with as little disturbance to my ladies as possible. We all have our own ays I am sure but as long as our charges are well and happy who is to say which way is best? As for a happy Tarantula when was the last time you saw on e smile ? LOL LOL sorry !!!!!!!!

[Peter Lacey]

After every moult? I don't remember reading that in the book. Sounds totally unnecessary. T
arantula don't create much mess, spot cleaning is all that's necessary. By removing the substrate you're moving all that the tarantula has become comfortable with. The thin webbing over the substrate helps to track movement of prey as well as provide its own markings back to the burrow. Its likely to be given a thin layer of hairs too and perhaps the Ts can recognise their own scent. In the wild a tarantula wouldnt go much further than its burrow (stated as 1 sq metre in TKG) for its entire life, with the exception of mature males.
If the enclosure develops an odor that is sour or rotten then its time to remove the substrate. However odours of wood, earth or a slightly sweet smell are natural.
The most likely infestation is that of mites. Unless you have huge mite issues there shouldn't be anything to worry about a small amount of these. Most are not predatory and they're easily controlled by drying out the enclosure. (I recommend you take a look at Nick L's reply about mites within this forum).
I'd have thought the biggest issue is not the cleanliness, afterall spiders don't naturally inhabit sanitised areas, but the upheaval of repeatedly moving the tarantula to a completely new environment, that's likely to stress the tarantula out rather than provide it a nice shiney new home.
We all have different thoughts on the matter, and we can all raise them different ways successfully, but I'd suggest you're in the minority by repeatedly changing the substrate.