Brachypelma Klaasi noob alert!

[Paul Negus]

Hiya, I have just started my T collection with a brachypelma klaasi. I have been reading that they dislike moist substrate, but do need humidity. How do I go about achieving that? Also, he's had a couple of locusts in his tank since I got him a week ago but he is completely uninterested in them. So far he stays on the glass walls, so I'm guessing he doesn't like what I'm using for substrate. Any and all information would be appreciated, I just took what the guys at the shop gave me and my friend recommended them so assumed it was ok.

thank you in advance for anyone's advice

[Nicolas Charrière]

Hi Paul! First of all: welcome in the hobby!!! Hope you'll enjoy discovering the way of life of your B klaasi. In my opinion, it's a good beginner's choice.

For humidity: B klaasi should be fine on a completely dry substrate. Give her (him?) a water dish full of clear water (change the water once a week, fill it if it evaporates too fast) so she can drink if needed. If you want to increase humidity, you can cover some of the ventilations holes (not all!) with plastic wrap (I'm not sure of the name in English!). Check that there is not mistiness on the walls of the tank.

For locusts: if your T isn't eating, take them away from the tank. And wait for one week, then try again. If she's still not eating, then she's maybe preparing a molt. Beware not to leave locusts in the tank when your T is molting (they can harm her or disturb her and then... big troubles!). It's recommended to take away live food off the tank after 12 hours or something if the T has not eaten... You can check for the preparing of the molt if she has a black (dark grey) bald spot on the back of the abdomen (if it's still pink, she might be in premolt, but not ready yet). A T can fast for a long time before molting (or eating again...).

For substrate: what do you use? What thickness?

Have you given her a place to hide (cork bark or something)?

[Paul Negus]

Hi Nicolas, firstly thank you for your welcome and helpful reply I don't know what substrate it is exactly, I threw the bag out and can't remember now. But it is dark brown and seems peat based and a little moist. Wht should I be using instead? Most pics of Brachypelma I see have a paler looking, dry substrate. I have made it fairly deep to allow burrowing if required. He/she (unknown currently) has a hide I bought yes, but as he's still just sitting on the glass walls, it's not being used much. I took the locusts out for now as there wasn't any interest. The abdomen seem fairly large and a little shiny, so maybe preparing for a molt I guess.

Hi Paul! First of all: welcome in the hobby!!! Hope you'll enjoy discovering the way of life of your B klaasi. In my opinion, it's a good beginner's choice.

For humidity: B klaasi should be fine on a completely dry substrate. Give her (him?) a water dish full of clear water (change the water once a week, fill it if it evaporates too fast) so she can drink if needed. If you want to increase humidity, you can cover some of the ventilations holes (not all!) with plastic wrap (I'm not sure of the name in English!). Check that there is not mistiness on the walls of the tank.

For locusts: if your T isn't eating, take them away from the tank. And wait for one week, then try again. If she's still not eating, then she's maybe preparing a molt. Beware not to leave locusts in the tank when your T is molting (they can harm her or disturb her and then... big troubles!). It's recommended to take away live food off the tank after 12 hours or something if the T has not eaten... You can check for the preparing of the molt if she has a black (dark grey) bald spot on the back of the abdomen (if it's still pink, she might be in premolt, but not ready yet). A T can fast for a long time before molting (or eating again...).

For substrate: what do you use? What thickness?

Have you given her a place to hide (cork bark or something)?

[Paul Negus]

Here is a shot of 'Jesse' I just took

[Nicolas Charrière]

It seems to me that she's just fine about eating (abdomen is round and big); she shouldn't be hungry. Could you please take a picture from behind her, so that we could see the spot?

For substrate of my Brachypelma, I use peat moss (which is rather dark) but completely dry (except for the water dish of course). I don't use heat mat (the temperature in my flat doesn't go under 22°C except for some nights in winter 19°C). Sometimes, heating can cause some restlessness. Check (whenever possible!) if your substrate has no pesticide or pest infections, and above all if it's not too wet.

Normally, when a T is preparing for a molt, she should be rather calm... However, I've got a B boehmei who only calm down before and after her molt; for the rest of her life, she's almost always moving in the tank: I've never understood what was happening with her! Always climbing and walking... I've checked everything, asked specialists questions, it was impossible to find a solution other than... she's like that (!).

[Nicolas Charrière]

Ah, one more thing: is your T in a noisy environment? Spiders cannot hear, but they are very sensitive to vibrations, i.e. loud noises, music, etc. Is she quiet on the glass of the tank or is she always moving?

[Paul Negus]

She's really quiet and still just hangin on the glass. She isn't subjected to loud sounds at all where she is. Still trying to get a pic of her rump, but she's in an awkward position currently! It's about 22 degrees and 60% humidity in there. My measuring equipment turned up today I will block off the side vent to increase both. The lid is still fully vented.

Ah, one more thing: is your T in a noisy environment? Spiders cannot hear, but they are very sensitive to vibrations, i.e. loud noises, music, etc. Is she quiet on the glass of the tank or is she always moving?

[Nicolas Charrière]

Paul, it seems to me that she might be fine in such a position. If you think that your substrate is ok and if she's quiet as you told me, then you shouldn't worry too much. Such Ts can stay a long time in the same position, even on a wall... And they need some times to get accustomed to new environments. Wait a little bit, she will probably find a fine place on the ground to molt.

But maybe someone else here has a better experience than me and can give another opinion...

[jasonweald]

Hi Paul I have found that every time I have changed up the size of the enclosure and changed substrate where needed my T's have often clung to side of tank until they have settled in and got accustomed to their new home

[Craig Forsdike]

She's just getting used to her new home is all. Had the same worries myself, but realised one key thing. The biggest killer of T's is over-caring. S/he'll be fine, just give her time and she'll settle down as long as she's got water, gets fed and has a hide to hold up in it'll be all good.