what is my G.rosea doing?

[James Menzies]

Hi guys and gals. I'm new to the hobby, but have had my G.rosea for about 6 months. It's been quite happy (I think!) eating and drinking up to now. As it has stopped eating I was expecting a molt, but that was two weeks ago. Now it seems to sit just rubbing it's fangs with it's pedipalps. Any ideas?
Thanks, James

[ralfkonen]

Hi James,
as a lot of people on this forum will tell you, G rosea will spent months w/o feeding. Mine started eating only two weeks ago after fasting for 4.5 months. If the temperature is about right I dont think there is anything to worry about (easier said than done, I know). If you are keeping a G rosea you'd better get used to strange feeding pattern.
Rubbing pedipalps against fangs sounds like grooming to me. Again: pretty normal, I think

[vincent winyard]

hi james and welcome to the forum. it sounds like your g rosa's doing what is quite normal for these t's they tend to fast for days or months at a time. my girl hasn't eaten for months. i've heard they can go to over a year without eating so there's no need to worry there just make sure she has fresh clean water at all times. if she was going to molt she would have a dark bald spot on her abdomen. as for her rubbing her fangs with her pedipalps she's basically just giving herself a spruse up so overall nothing to worry about hope this helps.

[James Menzies]

Thanks guys.
I know I have a great deal to learn, and patience above all!
I guess like all beginners I am just concerned about my first.
Thanks for the advice.

[Claire Beckett]

Re: what is my G.rosea doing?

Yeah patience is a must...been waiting for my rosea to moult for some time now, hasn't eaten in over a year!

[ralfkonen]

Wow, thats a long time Claire. Mine molted in June 2008. She then started fasting in september 2009 for 4.5 months, but never really looked as if she was going to molt. Now she is eating like a horse again. She still looks bright and beautiful. And I am certainly bolder than she is. lol

[Denny Teasdale]

Yeah patience is a must...been waiting for my rosea to moult for some time now, hasn't eaten in over a year!

Wish I had that much will power...!

[Claire Beckett]

Re: what is my G.rosea doing?

Well her last moult was January 07 and she stopped eating January last year. I think I just have one of those roseas lol...mind you she also has a bit of a temper too.
I just leave her to it making sure temps are ok and she has water available. She'll do it eventually.
She was my first too and I was the same coming up to her previous molt with me. So don't worry, you're bound to be a little antsy first time round. Sure all will be well.