Yet another newbie question...

[Ian Mager-Playford]

Hi Guys,

I have recently taken ownership of my first T; a G. rosea called Darth-a.

I just have a couple of questions regarding her behaviour. Sorry if these seem really stupid.

Yesterday I moved her from her transport box to a plastic tank with substrate, water bowl and flower pot on its side. I thought it was about time I gave her some food. I popped in a cricket which she eventually got hold of. In getting hold of the cricket, she had perched herself on top of the flower pot. It looked like she was trying to get back down, but was retreating when her legs weren't touching the floor. I left her for the night in the hope that she would work it out. She was still atop the flower pot this morning. I have since built some of the soil up round the sides to give her a slope, but she still didn't seem to want to get off. Is this normal? Also, she still seems to have the cricket in her mouth from last night. Is this normal?

In a way, I am hoping I get told these are stupid questions and then I won't have anything to worry about. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ian

[Craig Mackay]

Hi Ian, congrats on your first T and don't worry, there's never a stupid question! Its quite normal for them to spend a long time eating a cricket. It takes time for them to digest and eat it. Even terrestrial tarantula's are good climbers and she won't have any problem climbing down from a flower pot. If shes still there thats because that's where she wants to be. Both my chile rose's sit on top of their hides and don't move a lot at all. They're a bit of a pet rock. What I tend to do is cut the flower pot in half (making sure there are no sharp edges) and then you have an extra hide for when you inevetibly get your second spider, lol!

Good luck with her and try not to worry. There's not a lot you can do wrong with a chile rose. I'm sure they come equipped with bullet proof vests, lol! Just keep her dry with a water dish and she'll be perfectly content. Enjoy!

[Ian Mager-Playford]

Cheers for the reply, Craig.

Sets my mind at ease. She is now off the flower pot and appears to have enjoyed the cricket.

Have cut the pot in half. The second T idea didn't go down too well with the other half, but I can be quite persuasive...