Brachypelma Albopilosum Advice

[SamLees17]

Hi,

My first tarantula is about to arrive tomorrow. I have always been fascinated by them and can't wait. I have done my research and I think I have most of it sussed but I have a question about heat mats;

I live in an economy 7 house and it can be particularly cold downstairs (especially with the hard floor) so I have assumed that in order to maintain a decent living temperature I have a heat pad. Now I have read so much conflicting information on the net. My assumption is to attach the heat pad to the outer side of the plastic housing and let it do it's work, but I read so much saying not to use any heating at all and definitely not to underheat.

I read a rule of thumb that you should use heating if you would be comfortable wearing a t shirt in the room. Well, it is bloody freezing downstairs this time of year.

Can someone please provide a bit of advice with regards to heating with my soon to arrive Curly Hair.

Cheers.

[Kate Arbon]

If it gets that cold then I don't see why you shouldn't use a heat mat. It may not be necessary, but your spider will probably appreciate it. And yes attach it to the side of the tank, don't put it underneath.

And of course ensure it has water available, so you don't have to worry about it drying out too much.

I haven't heated my Ts for a few years but have recently moved and the house I'm in now is a lot colder than my previous, so when I go back home to visit I think I'll be digging out the heatmats, just to give my Ts a bit of a treat over winter.

Welcome to the forum and the hobby by the way. How big is the albo you're getting?

[Peter Roach]

Or an easier way would be to move the spider to the warmest room for the next few months. Even an adult can be kept in a large saucer sized container for a short period like a few months, so it can easily be stored in a warm room out of the way.

How big is the albop that you are getting ? (I have about 20 of them )

[SamLees17]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will try without the heat mat for the first few days and just monitor the temperature I am getting inside the enclosure. It's a juvenile, 7-8cm I am told I wanted a small enough one to see it grow, but I thought starting with a sling would be a bit underwhelming so have gone for a happy medium.

[Peter Lacey]

Welcome to BTS and welcome to the wonderful world of tarantula.

Getting an average temperature is probably your first hurdle, the dial indicators are rarely accurate but they will provide a reading that should be no more than a few degrees out, and with tarantula that's not going to be an issue at all. Generally 75F is a good temperature to aim for most species and a drop at night imitates natural occurrence. I'd avoid temperatures that go 90+ or below 50F although personally I prefer temps that stay within a 60-80F for almost all my Ts.

If you keep other exotics that require heating you might be able to use the top of their enclosure or even put the Ts enclosure within theirs. Your warmest room is definitely a good idea, but if all your rooms are cold then I'd suggest either a heatmat attached to the side (never underneath as that can create a fire hazard as well as overheat your T) or a simple very low wattage bulb outside the enclosure. Perhaps your collection will grow, in which case you can heat a larger tub or cabinet in which to place several enclosures.

I keep my B. albopilosum off-dry, infrequently flooding the enclosure as these inhabit rainforest rather than arid plains or scrubland. A large waterdish (plant saucer) helps to raise humidity a little and provides drinking water.

Feeding once a week with a cricket the size of the abdomen is ample, and missing a feed for a few weeks (whilst you're on holiday etc) is of no concern, although I usually feed them up before such a break.

Most species are very easy to keep, very forgiving of inaccurate husbandry, hardy and especially with the likes of Brachypelma, information is readily available.

[SamLees17]

Welcome to BTS and welcome to the wonderful world of tarantula.

Getting an average temperature is probably your first hurdle, the dial indicators are rarely accurate but they will provide a reading that should be no more than a few degrees out, and with tarantula that's not going to be an issue at all. Generally 75F is a good temperature to aim for most species and a drop at night imitates natural occurrence. I'd avoid temperatures that go 90+ or below 50F although personally I prefer temps that stay within a 60-80F for almost all my Ts.

If you keep other exotics that require heating you might be able to use the top of their enclosure or even put the Ts enclosure within theirs. Your warmest room is definitely a good idea, but if all your rooms are cold then I'd suggest either a heatmat attached to the side (never underneath as that can create a fire hazard as well as overheat your T) or a simple very low wattage bulb outside the enclosure. Perhaps your collection will grow, in which case you can heat a larger tub or cabinet in which to place several enclosures.

I keep my B. albopilosum off-dry, infrequently flooding the enclosure as these inhabit rainforest rather than arid plains or scrubland. A large waterdish (plant saucer) helps to raise humidity a little and provides drinking water.

Feeding once a week with a cricket the size of the abdomen is ample, and missing a feed for a few weeks (whilst you're on holiday etc) is of no concern, although I usually feed them up before such a break.

Most species are very easy to keep, very forgiving of inaccurate husbandry, hardy and especially with the likes of Brachypelma, information is readily available.

Thank you. It definitely isn't that cold and the heater pad is too big for the tub. Whoops.

It arrived a few hours ago and it is all set up now but all the spider wants to do is hug the side of the tank. Is this normal at first? It is almost as if it is scared of the substrate!

The main bedroom is very warm, I am thinking of keeping it in there now. If the Mrs doesn't like it, she can sleep downstairs

[SamLees17]

For those that are interested, I have set up a blog

http://spidersammy.blogspot.co.uk/

[Peter Lacey]

Its likely that it will take a few days to settle in, don't worry about it clinging to the edge, its a common worry for new keepers, but within a burrow this is probably a position tarantula will adopt.

[SamLees17]

Its likely that it will take a few days to settle in, don't worry about it clinging to the edge, its a common worry for new keepers, but within a burrow this is probably a position tarantula will adopt.

Thanks for settling my mind. I guess I am just really worried that I have done something wrong. It is starting to spread his legs out now and looking like it is at home as opposed to being all tucked up. It is very, very slowly making it's way around the tank aswell. I actually think I could watch it all day.

[Peter Roach]

On your blog you have said . . . "I will give him a little while and then it is time for dinner!."

I would leave it for AT LEAST a week (maybe two) before feeding it.

[Peter Lacey]

On your blog you have said . . . "I will give him a little while and then it is time for dinner!."

I would leave it for AT LEAST a week (maybe two) before feeding it.

Ive read that so many times, and probably given similar advice. However, I have no reason to believe its necessary. I wait a couple of days for it to settle in for anything other than slings. The impatience of seeing your newly acquired T grabbbing some food might be a little too much for me, but it certainly doesnt cause any issues. And, with slings I'll often feed them after letting them settle for a few hours, especially Avics as this promotes some webbing which is exactly what you want. Be mindful though, uneaten food should be removed next day or perhaps the same day and left for a few days before trying again. You don't want a hungry cricket feeding on a moulting T.

[SamLees17]

Ive read that so many times, and probably given similar advice. However, I have no reason to believe its necessary. I wait a couple of days for it to settle in for anything other than slings. The impatience of seeing your newly acquired T grabbbing some food might be a little too much for me, but it certainly doesnt cause any issues. And, with slings I'll often feed them after letting them settle for a few hours, especially Avics as this promotes some webbing which is exactly what you want. Be mindful though, uneaten food should be removed next day or perhaps the same day and left for a few days before trying again. You don't want a hungry cricket feeding on a moulting T.

I didn't feed him in the end. I realised it was probably not a good idea shortly after. Just newbie anxiousness as I am sure everyone gets with their first Tarantula. However, it does like to flick hair like a maniac! It also made a very skittish movement this morning when I shut the door. Me thinks it is a bit nervous.

[Kate Arbon]

Ive read that so many times, and probably given similar advice. However, I have no reason to believe its necessary. I wait a couple of days for it to settle in for anything other than slings. The impatience of seeing your newly acquired T grabbbing some food might be a little too much for me, but it certainly doesnt cause any issues. And, with slings I'll often feed them after letting them settle for a few hours, especially Avics as this promotes some webbing which is exactly what you want. Be mindful though, uneaten food should be removed next day or perhaps the same day and left for a few days before trying again. You don't want a hungry cricket feeding on a moulting T.

My new OBT sling took food about 5 minutes after being unpacked and put into its pot. I don't normally feed them same day but when I gave it some water it attacked the drops with such enthusiasm that I guessed it was probably keen.

[SamLees17]

Read my blog. I know I am a newb, but my T just went mental!!!!

[SamLees17]

Ok. My brachy is now eating at a rate of knots. I am currently feeding it 1 cricket a day. Is this normal? It is a psycho. For a calm and docile tarantula, it is skittish and constantly wants to be fed. It seriously is a lunatic!