I have a pet tarantula and it has one of those hollow logs in it's aquarium. Well my tarantula burrowed an exit to the back through the substrate and kicked out a whole bunch of substrate out of the front and covered it with webbing.
I know a tarantula is not a reptile, but there is no spider section. So I figured I would go according to pet shop etiquette.
Now is this normal, or do I have a tarantula that is exceptional when it comes to engineering? And if it is normal, what on earth is she doing in there?
2007-06-21 05:43:58 · 6 answers · asked by Sr. Mary Holywater 6 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Oh sorry, it's a Chilean Rose Hair if that makes any difference.
2007-06-21 05:48:09 · update #1
Thanks "It Just Hit the Fan", I appreciate the answer. That's what I thought, but just checking. Enjoy your day!
2007-06-21 06:27:55 · update #2
Sarah, that you for your answer. These creatures are quite amazing to watch!
2007-06-21 06:35:43 · update #3
Sarah, I meant THANK YOU. That's what happens when I hurry. Enjoy your day!
2007-06-21 06:36:55 · update #4
Belladonna, thank you for the information. Mine IS burrowing. I figured that was because she felt comfortable with the habitat I made for her. She is such a sweetie too!
Zen, thank you for your information. I had the thought that she may be getting ready to moult. You pretty much confirmed my suspicions. :)
2007-06-21 07:28:48 · update #5
i used to manage a pet store where we sold all insects. seriously. it was called bugs n stuff and it was in cincinnati. anyways, thats perfectly normal. they dont like the dry air so they make burrows down into the substrate where the humidity will be higher. make sure she has some deep substrate to work with.
as for what she is doing in there, nothing. you can get these hide away rocks that you can sit next to the glass, and they have a pre-made burrow inside. its against the glass so you can see em in there. it has a magnetic peice that covers the outside too. it looks neat and if you really want to watch her, you can use that. but honestly, your not missing much.
2007-06-21 09:37:33 · answer #1 · answered by Mike 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Chilean rose tarantulas in large numbers living in burrows some 45 centimetres (18 inches) deep. Their apparent reluctance to dig a burrow in captivity is apparently an artifact of that captivity, not a "natural" life style.
The general experience in the hobby is that they neither require a burrow nor use one. When given the chance sometimes they use a coconut shell as a place to hide, but all of ours have firmly rejected burrows when they have been offered. This is supported by the experience of many other keepers. Installing a coconut shell or a plastic aquarium plant that drapes over to produce a darkened cave-like space might be appreciated, however. It may decide that's a good place to hide. Otherwise, don't worry about it. :)
2007-06-21 13:52:46 · answer #2 · answered by ஐTInivelஐ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OMG! Thats funny, mine is a Chilean rose too, her name is Winnifred, and she did that exact same thing. I was very surprised. One day, the whole entrance to her cave was blocked up. It must give them some sense of security, Chilean Roses are a burrowing species. I figure it is normal. I am not sure what they do in there, she has since dug through the barricade and I can see in her cave again, she really just sits in there. Maybe they just don't want anyone looking at them . Maybe they have PMS(ha ha!) No, really, I am not sure exactly why.
2007-06-21 14:41:26 · answer #3 · answered by Mollyruby 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many species of tarantula are exceptional burrowers. They dig a hole and line it with silk so it doesn't cave in.
In nature, that's where they spend the day, hiding from predators until they can come out under the cover of darkness.
Yup, it sounds pretty normal to me.
2007-06-21 13:01:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My tarantula Zen is doing the very same thing. I don't think she's eating or drinking, so I asked the guy at the pet store about it. He said she was probably getting ready to shed her skin, so leave her be...the shedding process will make her vulnerable because they shed everything. But to spray a fine mist in the tank because it'll help with the long, difficult process.
2007-06-21 14:04:40 · answer #5 · answered by zen 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very Very normal, ground dwelling tarantula's very often dig burrows, and web the entrance over, the then sense vibrations of insects passing or getting caught in the web, then shoot out and grab um! they are amazin architects!
2007-06-21 13:29:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋