- Joined
- Apr 11, 2007
- Messages
- 5,438
Anybody here have an A anax that is a total monster? I've never heard tell of a highly defensive one before this.
She (i think it's a she, not 100%) just molted to about 3.75". For the first time since I got her about 18 months ago she's been hanging out above ground all the time. Maybe a month after her molt i was handling her a bit with no problems. I don't handle very often at all and only with specimens that seem very tolerant of such treatment. Now, last week (about 2 months postmolt) I decided to give it another go as she was so sweet and interactive last time.
When i tickled her foot with a brush to coax her onto my hand she whirls around on the brush, bear hugs it and fangs it vigorously! She didn't let go either, it took some effort to dissuade her from the death grip she had on that brush. To think I was about to use my hand for that...
So I just shrugged and chalked it up to a misplaced prey response, she does attack roaches pretty voraciously sometimes. Then last night I went in to change her water dish. She was really disturbed by my presence, all threats, fangs, butt in the air, bobbing up and down to look big, you name it. Admittedly she didn't actually strike or flick any hair but i've NEVER seen a display like that from an Aphonopelma (or a grammy or a brachy or even a lassie).
So, anybody here ever had a Aphonopelma (beside those crazy-a55 seemani's) kirk out like that? It sure surprised me. I'd expect that sort of thing from a rosie although i've never seen it myself. It makes me wonder if something's going on in her environment that's causing some persnickety behavior...She did lose a toe in her last molt but I really don't think that's the issue.
Yes, I know it's probably nothing, just looking for stories.
Crazy!
She (i think it's a she, not 100%) just molted to about 3.75". For the first time since I got her about 18 months ago she's been hanging out above ground all the time. Maybe a month after her molt i was handling her a bit with no problems. I don't handle very often at all and only with specimens that seem very tolerant of such treatment. Now, last week (about 2 months postmolt) I decided to give it another go as she was so sweet and interactive last time.
When i tickled her foot with a brush to coax her onto my hand she whirls around on the brush, bear hugs it and fangs it vigorously! She didn't let go either, it took some effort to dissuade her from the death grip she had on that brush. To think I was about to use my hand for that...
So I just shrugged and chalked it up to a misplaced prey response, she does attack roaches pretty voraciously sometimes. Then last night I went in to change her water dish. She was really disturbed by my presence, all threats, fangs, butt in the air, bobbing up and down to look big, you name it. Admittedly she didn't actually strike or flick any hair but i've NEVER seen a display like that from an Aphonopelma (or a grammy or a brachy or even a lassie).
So, anybody here ever had a Aphonopelma (beside those crazy-a55 seemani's) kirk out like that? It sure surprised me. I'd expect that sort of thing from a rosie although i've never seen it myself. It makes me wonder if something's going on in her environment that's causing some persnickety behavior...She did lose a toe in her last molt but I really don't think that's the issue.
Yes, I know it's probably nothing, just looking for stories.
Crazy!