P. irminia question

[Storm76]

Hey there,

I know that usually they grow overall darker and close their hide with webbing and substrate, but since I got her (last Tuesday) she basically closed her corkbark tube with substrate only and I'm reluctant to throw a cricket in there really (kinda worried she might get hurt). Now, I do have some superworms, too, and I could probably put one in a way that it does crawl into that hide, but I am really not wanting to stress her. I know she hasn't eaten for like 2 weeks since the last time she was fed, but as thruthetrees already suggested she could be in premolt even. Any suggestions what I should do? Leave her alone, keeping just humidity alright, or try throwing in some food and if so, which?

I am absolutely positive, that she wasn't out of her tube even once ever since she closed it from the inside. I did refill her water though and mist the tank some for humidity to stay between 70-80%. Temperature currently is around 25°C since it's night. Daytime around 28°C


Pic of her size (she's a subadult female, about 3 cm BL) and the closed hide.


I used the search function but coulnd't find anything helpful for this situation. Just had to ask this stuff, since yes, I am kinda worried currently. Don't have a problem with her being reclusive, just that she closes herself up in instead ob webbing is kinda weird.

[jakykong]

Bearing in mind I've only owned a P. irminia for about 3 days, I haven't seen this particular behavior, there are some general tips I can offer.

First of all, P. irminia is an arboreal tarantula. What you have looks to me like more of a terrestrial setup (and it doesn't *look* humid, although looks can be deceiving). She needs height, stuff to climb on. Check out RobC's P. irminia care sheet for info on housing: http://www.arachnophiles.com/Psalmopoeus-Sp-.php (Note: care sheets can be useful sometimes, but it's not gospel!)

Given that, it could be showing signs of stress due to not having a more vertical setup. Mine (3") is in a 5 gallon long turned on its side, with about 5" of substrate (and a cork tube, which it has decided is less interesting than the silk plant). She's made a tube near-ish the bottom of the plant and stays at the entrance.

Second, the tarantula WILL NOT STARVE. It's going to take a lot more than 2 weeks without food to starve it. Try months. Probably many months. If you're not comfortable giving it food, then don't.

Hope this helps!

---------- Post added 02-12-2012 at 02:18 AM ----------

For what it's worth, tarantulas in the wild will close themselves off if they don't have enough humidity. It lets them retain the humidity that is there. And, of course, premolt is a possibility, but I think the enclosure is more likely the issue.

Search the boards for pictures of P. irminia enclosures (or avic enclosures - same idea - or really, any arboreal enclosure.) to get some ideas.

[HighFlyer]

Since you've only had her since Tuesday, it's possible that she needs time to acclimate to the new environment. Like ^^ said, she will not starve so don't worry. Maintain humidity and be patient.

[TarantulaKid]

Many tarantulas close their shelter with substrate before molting. Dont worry about feeding, my B.boehmei 2" refused food for 3 months and then ate and he is perfectly good. Try giving your tarantula arboreal setup so she can climb and make silken web tubes for retreats. My P.cambridgei slings always cover their webbing with substrate.

[Chris_Skeleton]

You need to get a taller enclosure and provide a lot more substrate. P. irminia burrow and will use the burrows as their hide.

[SamuraiSid]

Many tarantulas close their shelter with substrate before molting. Dont worry about feeding, my B.boehmei 2" refused food for 3 months and then ate and he is perfectly good. Try giving your tarantula arboreal setup so she can climb and make silken web tubes for retreats. My P.cambridgei slings always cover their webbing with substrate.

sneaky bastard!!! cant wait to get my hands on these.

[Toogledoo]

I agree with what everyone else said. Also, if mine did this, I would assume molting. Good luck!

[suzypike]

If you're really worried and it will make you feel better, put a pre-killed cricket right at the entrance overnight. You can sleep easy knowing that the cricket won't hurt her, and if she is starving, she'll eat it. (She's not starving though. )
+1 to everything that's already been said also.

[Storm76]

Thanks for the info, everyone. From her current size, she has space to climb in there (since that thing is higher than wide). But since a lot of you said even more space, I'll provide her with that and put her in a bigger enclosure. I can't put her in the 30x30x40cm tank yet though, since she definetely is too small for that still. So think I should wait a time X before I rehouse her, or do that right away some day the upcoming week?

As for the thing regarding a pre-killed cricket, I could just use a superworm (a smaller one), right? As far as I know, those don't nom on spiders.


As for this:

You need to get a taller enclosure and provide a lot more substrate. P. irminia burrow and will use the burrows as their hide.

Uhm, some do when they are still slings, yes. But usually the older they get, the farther up they go with their hideouts. Also, corkbark tubes are fine for them from what most people in the hobby owning one told me.

[Toogledoo]

I don't know that I would trust a superworm. Sometimes I use them and I've found them eating my dead Ts on more than one occasion when they were left in there and a T dies.

Also, they tend to burrow so it may not give your Irminia much of a chance to eat.

[ZergFront]

Sounds either like she's still getting used to the new home or she's in premolt. In either case, covering up the entrance is their way of putting a "Do Not Disturb" sign. Both my juvenile P.irminia, "Bumblebee" and P.pulcher put up a wall shortly after being introduced to their cages. I saw one of them take it down to get to the water dish but she put the wall back up when she was done. I also suspect they are both going to molt soon.

Give her some time and by the looks of it, she's put on a good amount of weight. She could also just be filled to the rim. I wouldn't try feeding her until A. She molts and her fangs are black once more or B. she gets a bit thinner.

OH! And I have little trust of superworms ever since I've seen what a few can do to the top of a wooden desk. I still get them but I crush their "jaw" now. I know it's mean but better the worm than a spider.

[InvertFix]

Just trust your tarantula.
She knows what she's doing. I'm positive of that.

This hobby is great because it teaches patience and trust. <3

[RyTheTGuy]

I dont have a P. irminia, but my G. pulchripes do the same thing.

My P.cambridgei slings always cover their webbing with substrate.

Mine loves putting substrate on her webs.

[jakykong]

I dont have a P. irminia, but my G. pulchripes do the same thing.


Mine loves putting substrate on her webs.

What kind of vial is that? It looks nifty.

[ZergFront]

Yeah. That's a good container. I could use a few. :-D