Animal Stories - People Talking About Tarantulas



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Latest Animal Stories on Tarantulas (562)

becca - 2010-04-22
Hey

I have a chile rose tarantula and I think it's about to shed its skin as his house is covered in thick web. I'm just wondering is it still ok to feed him while he is like this?

Please reply xx

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andy k - 2010-04-30
In all honstly I would not feed your tarantula before it is due a molt, then afterwards for about 2 weeks, let the tarantulas carpace harden again, after the 2 weeks start feeding again, depending on the size the tarantula may be ready quicker. Don't be alarmed about not feeding the tarantula it can go in the wild without food for 3 weeks easilly, also try to keep the vivarium humid at this time.
becca - 2010-05-03
He hasn't ate for well over a month and I'm worried as his abdomen is smaller is that normal before a shed? please reply xx
emma williams - 2011-11-30
No, do not feed him if he is about to molt. They fast in preparation for a molt. Just leave him be, he knows wot he is doing.

Anonymous - 2010-05-27
Mine just passed away today at 16 y/o :'(

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Anonymous - 2010-05-29
Aww that sucks.
Janice Place - 2010-06-01
Hi, I'm sorry your tarantula passed. I know it will be missed. I have gotten really attached to mine, even though I don't take her out much. She really would just be left to do her thing. 16 years is a long time. Why don't you get a spiderling? I know there is one out there who need's a good home. Janice
Anonymous - 2010-06-29
I think mine's diying also she turned over like she going to molt but there's a brown pus coming from her tail is that normal? She never did it before she molt like three times before but never like this did yours do this and I sorry for your loss.
John A.K.A Crazy Ingin - 2010-07-18
Hi just seen your posting, and I was wondering. How can you tell when a female chilean rose tarantula is dying? The 1 I have has been in my family for almost 13 yrs. She got done eating about 3-4 days ago,and now she is acting pretty weird. No 1 can seem 2 answer my question! So I'm hoping you would be able to help me out! Thank you for your time, and consideration!
emma williams - 2011-11-30
I'm sorry for your loss .

brandy - 2010-08-04
I am new owner. I came to be an owner because my sister was unable to keep the spider. I thought she was sick because she has been acting weird so yesterday I came home and she was upside down in her cage. I did not realize what was happening so I picked her up and flipped her over and fed her. About an hour later I realized that she was molting. It only took her two hours to complete the process, but now I am concerned because I held her and she has crickets in her cage. What should I do?

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christine - 2010-08-05
When a tarantula is molting your not suppose to touch her never put a cricket in her tank when she's molting and only feed her one cricket a week if you put too many in they will eat her when she is molting a tarantula cannot move when in molting process after the process wait three days before putting a cricket in because the spiders body will be very soft I think you should buy a book on tarantulas or check online so you know what to do.
emma williams - 2011-11-30
Remove the crickets as they could injure your spider or even kill it but be as careful and quiet as possible as not to disturb your spider or it could turn the right way up again and this does not bode well for that molt either. Be careful.

Peter - 2010-08-10
I've have a new spider aprox 2 months now, and recently it has become very weird, it has made a large ball from its soil, and has stopped eating about three weeks ago. It has made a lot of webbing in the last few days and today it seems to be still almost on its side and does not move when I gentle touch it. Is it dying or ready to molt> Any help please!

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emma williams - 2011-11-30
Ready to molt I should imagine, some species sometimes molt on their sides and not on their backs, like the salmon pink tarantula.

Ana Harrison - 2010-09-07
I just bought a chille rose yesterday and really like it, so far I'm just reading up about it but they are very easy to look after. I'm just worried about the temperature although its just roughly below 80 , I'm just worried.

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emma williams - 2011-11-30
72 degrees farenheit is ok and up to 80 degrees is fine , room temperature is ok for roses.

Luna - 2010-11-11
I've had my rosie for a little less than a year. Lately she seems sluggish and doesn't walk around like she used to when I would handle her. She's always on her water pillows just chillin... is she dehydrated?

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emma williams - 2011-11-30
Sounds like she mite be , or she could be about to molt. If you make sure that you fill a jam jar lid with water that will help , also make sure that is refreshed every day. It's rare that you see a tarantula drink from a water bowl but they also need the humidity. hope this helps, good luck.

derrick blyth - 2010-09-16
Had my spider a week now and think they are, well cool. Held it a few times but it hasn't eaten since I've had it. Getting a bit worried about it but its a spider, what do I know, it will eat when it wants I suppose. She's very docile and big but if anybody wants 2 give me any helpful information, I would be very grateful.

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SAmm - 2010-09-28
They are only supposed to eat once a week so I think that she is just fine (:
Tyler - 2010-11-04
No need to be alarmed. Tarantulas can go for months without food and only eat when they feel like it. Also they tend to stop eating a few months before they molt. Hope this helps.
Phil - 2010-11-12
Don't be overly concerned about it eating, it will eat when it wants to. I find pinkie or even fuzzy mice do well, protein-wise. I have had my Rosehair for more than 20 years & she goes into fasting periods on occasion. If it's a female, as long as her abdomen is plump & round & she is active I wouldn't worry too much.
Anonymous - 2010-12-12
Your spider will eat when it's ready I have a rose hair and a bird eater my rose is a big boy and the bird eater is very big as well but for the most part if the spider is not eating try and keep the temp at a constant level.
emma williams - 2011-11-30
She might need some time to acclimatise to her new surroundings, just let her be for a week and she should be ok, hope this helps.

Jonathan - 2011-03-15
I have had my rose hair for 8 months now and she is the most awesome pet ever! Before I got her, I was severely arachnophobic, terrified of any spider that I saw. But she changed all that, I have never been bitten nor has she displayed any signs of aggressive behavior. This website has been extremely helpful in teaching me about how to care for her and how to read her body language. They are like people in that they all have their own unique personality. Her name is Morticia and she loves to cuddle with me. I get her out and as soon as I take the lid off her enclosure she practically kills herself trying to get out and into my hand. Once in my hand she'll crawl up my arm and eventually nestle somewhere on my neck like she's snuggling and won't move at all, even if I move myself. I even took a 2 hour nap one afternoon and she stayed on my neck the entire time (probably not a good idea in hindsight since I could've rolled over and squashed her to death) but she was perfectly behaved as always. I DEFINITELY recommend this species for first time spider enthusiasts like myself. Just treat them right, follow the directions on this site and they'll be a friend for life. I look forward to many more years with my spider!!!

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emma williams - 2011-11-30
I know exactly what ya mean. My rose sakura is so gentle and patient with me. She's my angel she loves me to tickle under her abdomen,and lets me groom her, gently of course. We have such a close bond she is so gentle and friendly . I dont know what I would do if I lost her. Roses are wicked tarantulas arent they?.

oscar abney - 2011-11-28
My male rose hair was in his last days. His legs were giving out and his reaction time was very slow , so I let him mate with a female I have . The mating was successful, but the female went right after him as soon as he was done. They mated before many times and this has never happed , he is a big male and has over powered her before but this time he just gave up and gave him self to her. Why did he do this ? Did she no he was in a weak and was going to die anyway?

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Charlie Roche - 2011-11-28
That is just the nature. A males life expectancy isn't great and he managed to get away before but just not this time.

Anonymous - 2011-09-03
So I found a cricket. Tonight I went to go toss it in her cage she tried to pounce on me (yes I do know why). My question is do spiders have mood swings? I've been around her for over a year now and she has always been so lazy and inactive but for the past 2 weeks she has been extremely active and man is she fast! She molted a little over a month ago, after molting does that make them more active? How often will she molt? Is there anything I can buy for her cage for entertainment? She has what looks like half a hollowed log and a water dish that's it. I'm just wondering why she has this sudden burst of energy, she's constantly running around her cage, she's cool to watch and I know she's not hurt or anything like that I'm just being inquisitive as to why shes so active now. Also I have heard when they molt that you are supposed to leave the "Shell" in the cage for a couple days, so something about it bonding? Is this true and why?

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Clarice Brough - 2011-09-04
Because you tarantula molted just a month ago, and is now quite active, I'm wondering if maybe you have a male. Author Philippe de Vosjoli in his book, "Arachnomanina...", describes this process for the Rose-hair...A few weeks after the adult molt, a male begins to construct what is called a sperm web and uses it to deposit a "spermazoa" product that it then absorbs into its palpal bulb. After this the male becomes unusually active and it would be the time to introduce a female for mating.

I have never heard of it being necessary to leave the discarded molt in the enclosure. Quite the contrary, people say that if you can take it out while it's still soft, you can shape it to look good before it dries hard. Also, it sounds like the enclosure you have is fine for the tarantula, any other ornaments would basically be for you rather than the spider.
Norman Munro - 2011-11-18
Hi I have had my northern gold for little over a year and a half she moulted twice the first went great she was still docile. I would let my kids hold her she would climb on my face (see pic) but this weekend she moulted again now she is possesed girl gone crazy. I am fearful to look at her. I hope she isn't picking up on my new fear of her as I miss holding her perhaps it is just a short term thing

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