Is This Normal? 11 Common Tarantula Behaviors That Freak Keepers Out (TBS Podcast)

[@danvitty5442]

I mean, as far as the tarantula hobby is concerned, you ARE famous lol

[@heleninglis9961]

When i 1st got into the hobby i asked lots of people for recommendations on whose videos to watch etc & no lie, every single person told me to follow Tom! I now understand why.

[@charliemum]

On arachnoboards his word is law. If you quote any other utuber your told very quickly to not watch utube for husbandry, but if Tom is quoted everyone goes, you can't go wrong with Tom 😊 I still call those purple phormictopus cautus violet coz he pulled the Tom card 😆 the man is a legend 😉

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hahaha Thanks, Dan. I think that some of the more serious folks find me, which is awesome. I'm still pretty small potatoes, though!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

That's awesome, Helen! Wow!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Awwww...thanks for that, Charlene! That's a badge of honor! haha

[@jurgenludwig8292]

Thanks for being such a great spokesman for the hobby Tom. Clearly your passion lies in education and the welfare of these animals. I get very frustrated with the negativity and know-it-all attitude in the hobby, but you are a great advocate for compassion and humility in daily life, not just in tarantula keeping.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you so much, Jurgen! That really means a lot.

[@tinabbaker37]

Absotivally Positively. Tear-Ran-Too-Lah Master❤

[@lucnadeau2821]

One I was expecting but didn't hear was the odd positions Ts can sometimes take when they're busy cleaning themselves. Many times I've seen my G. rosea or B. boehmei, scrunched up with some of its legs tucked under it. At first, I think "Woah, woah woah ! I'm supposed to have you around for another decade or so ! It ain't time for you to "check out" yet !". Moments later, I peek back and all of the legs are uncurled and it's moving about as if nothing happened. Stay safe and thanks for sharing :)

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, Luc! That's a great one as well! I've experienced that same panic myself. I'll have to cover that in the next one. Thanks again!!!

[@lowlee78]

Tom I’m actually commenting on the most recent podcast ep about cleaning cages. And specifically on the ending about your students. I teach preschool and have a soft spot for kids and educators. I’m curious if you are an art teacher or science teacher.. but that’s beside the point. I’m so pleased that your students get you. You are so articulate and kind and even tempered and passionate about the subjects you love. You definitely remind me of some of my favorite teachers when I was in junior high and high school. This applies to this one too. The grace with which you handle newcomers to the hobby and people who disagree with you is lovely to watch/hear. Anyway, really this is just a warm fuzzies fist bump message. You are a good dude and your students are lucky to have you. We in the hobby are lucky to have you. Thanks for living your joy and sharing that joy, and remembering what it was like to be new and unsure. And congrats on the little bit of clout your channel podcast and subscriber count just earned you in the eyes of those kids. You are creating core memories with them and that’s something special and to be proud about. (And also, holy hell, everyone is sick at our school too.)

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Lowlee! Nice to hear from another educator! And thank you so very much for the kind words...wow. I think that I'm blushing. haha As for the schools, it's been crazy! We have so many things going around right now that it's impossible to keep track of them all!

[@china_sickness7005]

Really happy to see the podcast still going. I think they’re just as educational as the videos

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Yup, we're quickly approaching season 6! Thank you!

[@lindabriggs5118]

Hi Tom, I've pretty much ignore their weird behaviors. For instance, my G. pulchripes the other night, I found her literally spread out with all of her legs splayed out. I chucked and thought, "weirdo". But I am pretty much positive she was hugging the substrate because I keep my living room quite warm now and I had sprayed her enclosure, including the substrate. She was cooling herself. LOL. Last fall my A. chalcodes stopped eating around October and the first time in April she poked herself at the opening but hid again. I rehoused her in June and now she hangs out all the time. I keep waiting for her to go in "hibernation", but she isn't. I'm not stressing. I'm still feeding her once a week. But no biggie. But a day doesn't go by that I check on them and they are just fine. They still make me laugh. Hope you, Billie, and family have a fantastic Thanksgiving!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, Linda! I try to as well, but they tend to freak folks out who haven't experienced them before. Hahaha Your G. pulchripes definitely sounds like a little weirdo! haha We had a great one! I hope that you and yours had an awesome one as well!

[@alexsuzaku21]

this is really helpful! several of my rehoused Ts had been hanging more on the wall of their enclosure and it's been more than a month now. i think i need to change the substrate now. 3 of my juvies were still cooped up and hidden on their burrows and its been 3 weeks now, i just hope that they have a healthy molt

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Alex! I'm so glad that this was helpful. Good luck!

[@candyscott489]

Fantastic Job !! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 If you have a spider that will probably burrow & a acrylic enclosure. You can adjust the hide with a starter hole by the acrylic wall. Chances are the spider will dig & you will have at leased a partial windows 😳 I’ve been very successful with that method.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Great tip, Candy! Thank you!

[@simplytao]

At 41:56 in the slide is a green tinted spider. Anyone know the species? It popped up at other times but that is a really pretty spider.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

That would be Poecilotheria rufilata.

[@simplytao]

@@TomsBigSpiders thank you very much

[@sacredgeometry8275]

Well, that was good timing. Just watched the zefrank1's tarantula vid and saw your footage was used. Glad you did a vid of the podcast. Really like listening to them but having visuals helps.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I was so psyched that they contacted me about using some footage of that. VERY cool. My kids thought that it made me famous because my name was at the end. haha

[@opethmike]

Excellent video for a beginner such as myself. I’d like to buy Tom a burrito.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you so much, Mike!

[@brandieluna6459]

I was just recommended this video after finding my GBB sling in it's water dish and I freaked, grabbed the enclosure, slung the door open thinking my sling is dead and it's no longer in it's dish. O.O so.. I appreciate these videos

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Brandie! I'm so glad that this was useful and that everything was okay! Thank you!

[@tinabbaker37]

Giving my Moran family big hugs 🤗 is on my bucket/enclosure list ❤

[@brutusinthesin5883]

I was happy yesterday, my A. chalcodes finally molted after a year. Now I'm hoping it eats.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Congrats! I know that wait well. haha

[@chrisobt]

Awesome! You have a podcast?!!! I really didn't know that! 😆 Oh man, now I have a lot of catching up to do... 🤘

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, Chris! Yes, I'm on season 5 now. :)

[@tinasherr8945]

Newbie here. Started collecting since May. Now I have 6 Tarantulas and this video is so helpful. It took my B Boehmei almost 3 weeks to adjust to his new enclosure

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Welcome to the hobby, Tina! And I'm so glad that this was helpful!

[@katl2043]

New tarantula owner hereee :) Tom I just wanted to say I love your content so much your passion for spiders is contagious!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Welcome to the hobby, Kat! And thank you so much...I truly appreciate that!

[@cubbi2789]

I’ve been caring for my tarantulas and slings for a little over a year and usually I do my research as for care. I feed the larger ones once every week or every two weeks. The smaller ones every four to five days. Water check once or twice a week since the heater is going. I also have them in proper enclosures with substrate and decorations for arboreal species. Learned a lot and I keep learning as time goes by. Thank you a lot for your informative videos

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Sounds like a great husbandry and feeding schedule to me! Thank you for watching!

[@georgecardiff1946]

I really enjoyed that Tom, due to the fact that it's an honest, informative piece of narrative, especially for novice keepers but just as helpful for more experienced keepers aswell, thanks Tom for another wonderful video.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks so much, George...I really appreciate that!

[@ThunderStruck15]

wow! I am only 20 mins in and ive learned SO MUCH TYTYTY

[@TomsBigSpiders]

That's awesome, Jen! I'm so glad!

[@thematulaaklives7]

Thank you for this brilliant video Tom. I'm a new keeper and my E. Campestratus recently buried itself which got me sweating bullets. Your knowledge and reassurance is a blessing to the hobby.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I'm so glad that this was helpful to you, Gerhard! Thank you for taking the time to comment!

[@wastelandsniper789]

Very helpful! And thanks for actually being helpful and kind when talking about these things, as opposed to being elitist and snobby. Nothing drives new genuinely interested people away from a hobby quite as like when the old guard decides to be complete a-holes when newbies have questions. I got lucky with my G. pulchra's decision to dig a burrow right against the front of its enclosure. I've been able to watch it the whole time its been in there and just tonight it molted! I checked it at one point and it was on its back, then I checked it about an hour later and the molt was off and kicked to the end of the burrow. I'm really excited for it to surface so I can feed it a cricket when its ready. I've also got two fairly prolific webbers that are both arboreal species (C. versicolor and A. juruensis) and it's interesting seeing how they both approach web building. Rebel (my exhibitionist versicolor) is really going to town building a web in the top of its enclosure. Boo (my extremely skittish juruensis) has built a rather complex web tunnel under the cork bark piece I gave it and likes to just sit in the mouth of one particular entrance but will disappear in the blink of an eye if it sees anything moving it thinks is too close.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I'm so glad! And no problem there; as a teacher, I realize that scolding someone for not knowing something is ridiculous. :) Hopefully, your G. pulchra is out eating again! And that is so cool that those two species chose such different places to web! Thanks again!

[@wastelandsniper789]

@@TomsBigSpiders It is out eating again! In the past week it has eaten five small-medium crickets and is looking quite plump (excellent feeding response). And has apparently become more skittish and a bit of a hair kicker after the molt. It does really like to sit out in various places in the enclosure, though. It's been interesting to see where it wants to sit at any given part of the day.

[@omnist7903]

55 minutes of pure knowledge and experience. As always, thank you. Put some of my worries to rest.... ish. Lol

[@TomsBigSpiders]

The "ish" part is real. I STILL stress over some of this stuff. haha Thank you!

[@natalya402]

I had an avic avic sling who was a ferocious eater. Would snatch prekilled crickets bigger than its whole body and legs off the tongs, even going for smaller live crickets. After its third molt in my care, it stopped eating. Even going so far as to grab a cricket, hold it for a while then drop it. Its abdomen remained super tiny. Then it died. I wonder if this one of those rare instances where the sucking stomach didnt molt correctly. Ive had a fear of avics ever since, and still havent gotten another one. I stick to hardy species now since I absolutely hate losing a spider

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Natalya! That sure sounds like what might have happened. I've had this happen with a couple of mine over the years, and it is so terrible to watch. They hunt, grab the prey, fang it...then nothing. Ugh. I'm so sorry to hear about your Avic. :(

[@TVelodrome]

Really great stuff! Juse full & though full a flow of experience combined with highly compact structured information. EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH THIS VIDEO!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Well, thank you so much...I truly appreciate it!

[@lisafosc]

I had an off day last week, during my feeding routine, I caught my adult male A gen upside down under some webbing - of course he was building a sperm web, but my first thought was I had a freak Mature male molting 😂😂. The tarantula community are truly blessed to have you in our corner Tom, thankyou for yet again another fab broadcast xx

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Lisa! Hahaha I thought the same thing the first time I saw mine making his sperm web. haha And thank you so much!

[@fullonsociopath]

Not sure if you agree, but it seems that my T's settle into a rehouse quicker if I drape some old web over their new hide, or predug burrow. My thought is that it "smells" familiar to the receptors in their feet. It may look a bit dingy, but they will usually add more web anyway. Since I started that, I noticed fewer T's huddled in the "corner of shame" after rehousing. Obviously this is just anecdotal for me, but try it out. You may be surprised. Great footage, and enjoyable video. Also, don't forget that tarantulas hate the sight of a clean, fresh water dish. They will bury, foul, insult, and demolish pristine water sources. :)

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Oh, I totally agree! I actually have a video uploading where I talk about that (I carried the old webbing over). It seems to really help some to settle in more quickly!

[@Ghostoad]

Thanks Tom. Only been in the hobby for a little over a year but your videos are a huge help. Happy holidays.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Happy Holidays...and thank you so much!

[@jacksamson5968]

Very called out by this video. Thank you for addressing several of the things that worried me about my first tarantula. Great content

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Jack! Oh no...I definitely wasn't trying to call anyone out! I just find that these are behaviors that mess with us all at one time or another. :) Thank you!

[@jacksamson5968]

@@TomsBigSpiders don’t worry, I just thought it was funny how many of these I fell for. Keep up the good content and thanks for the reply!

[@MOONOVERMIAMI]

Hello great video information Tom

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you, Moon!

[@willow.bell.illustration]

You answered so many questions for me, especially the naked butt question and how to determine if they are stressed or if the substrate is too wet in their opinion. My A.Iodius is naked as heck, but he's a new addition still. I'm glad he's not showing signs of stress. He's even already laid web mats so I'm thinking he must be getting comfortable fast.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I'm glad that I could set your mind at ease!

[@lizjoe21750]

I love these "what's going on with my T?!" videos. No matter how much XP I gain, it's always great to go back and review from time to time.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

It's fun for me to review them as well, as I still fall for some of this stuff. haha

[@lizjoe21750]

@@TomsBigSpiders Same here! Logically, I know better than to worry about certain things but I often channel an Italian nona who constantly worries and incessantly bugs you to "manga, manga... MANGA!!!!"😆

[@tinabbaker37]

I just look at mine as they hang at the top like light fixtures and say, "ok, well take your time Sugar plumb". And then they finally make it their own and even bulldozer and rearrange everything 😂❤😊. I've learned so much from you over the years. Tom Moran, my Mentor, your star student loves you and Billie eternally ❤

[@alexisward22]

You are so well educated in tarantulas! I GREATLY appreciate all of this information!!! I just got my first T last week. 🤗🕷🖤 You have saved me from over analyzing every little movement, or no movement! 😆 Thank you for yet another epic video! 🙏

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Alexis! Thank you so much; I'm so glad that you found this to be informative and useful! :)

[@Leepbby]

@27:33 beginner slings acting differently I can attest to. My T. albopilosus ( Curly Hair) gave me quite the heart flutters when I went to feed her/him and it then decided to go all superfly wrestling on me and jumped straight into the air jumping past the tongs onto my hand and then straight to the floor in a matter of 1.2 seconds faster than I've seen some of my old worlds move thankfully I actually had a catch cup near by even though this was so far from expected. Though I put the catch cup over her/him I did not need it as she/he stopped right there and went right back to being it's docile self. Calm and collected let me put it right back into the enclosure without further incident but BOY that had my heart going because it was SO unexpected from a CURLY HAIR "T" LOL....🤣🤣🕷🕷❤❤🕷🕷

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I think that a lot of the time, we talk about the adult behaviors, and folks think that it applies to the slings and juveniles as well. It does not. haha Thanks for sharing!

[@cheninlimback7868]

Loved this episode! I really want to add "surprise egg sacs from wild caught females" as another type of "suspicious webbing". Hopefully this happens less frequently in the hobby as we move away from wild caught whenever possible, but I have heard of many times where it has occured as it did with my curly hair. Luckily for me at the time it was a phantom sac - I was not ready for babies! I hope posting the podcasts here attracts lots more listeners! :)

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Oh, another good one! I honestly HATE that that is still happening, as we should not be pulling females out of the wild. And every time I post one of these on YT, I get a few folks that are shocked to know that I have a podcast. haha

[@TheKeatyBear]

Awsome. I just subscribed to your podcast on Spotify

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Fantastic! Thank you! I get to go much more in depth with things on the podcast.

[@TheKeatyBear]

Yes i agree, its a pleasure to listen to you while im working away at my job or on my commute to work. The passion you have in the hobby shows

[@Latrodectus_vv_]

This video is excellent. Thank you for making this.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@halfie44]

I'm new to keeping tarantulas and this really helped me thank you

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I'm so glad that this was helpful!

[@jamesprice7470]

Great podcast Tom,I really enjoyed that.ive been in the hobby,a few years now,and sometimes I still get stressed out but in the end no problem,as they say the tarantula knows best. I just love sitting there and watching and observing the tarantulas.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks, James! I get stressed out as well....believe me. haha

[@RealMelodyBlue]

I've been studying exhaustively for almost a year and I still haven't made up my mind about which T to get as my first! I'm not normal, LoL 😂

[@lindabriggs5118]

The sweetest and most calm tarantulas are the new world species of Grammastola or the Aphonapelma. Mine are so chill, I love them.

[@danvitty5442]

Just do what I did and get all of them. I have like 50🤣🤣

[@RealMelodyBlue]

@@danvitty5442 LoL 😂

[@biggusdickus2166]

Just go get whichevers cheapest lol

[@lucaslct3280]

Frankly it dont even matter cause you will not stop in your first T anyway ahahaha

[@OriginalDrGonzo]

I keep trying to find some information on my specific question. I'm pretty certain my G Pulchra sling is in premolt. Shes made her burrow and I cant see a way in or out but I can see her via a window. I put substrate in her enclosure that is apparently prone to mold, so Im concerned about moisturizing the substrate, though I know theyre pretty arid so they dont need a lot. Dehydration is my concern. She has a water dish, but ive never seen her drink from it so far. I guess my question is, how long can they go without water? She made a burrow under sphagnum moss that clearly seems to LOVE mold so even very light misting will cause mold. Ugh.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Is it the yellow stuff? Smells kind of sweet? If so, it's a mushroom and it's harmless. If the bottom layers of substrate stay moist, she can drink from that if she needs water. For the G. pulchra, they tend to like it on the dry side, so you don't have to go crazy with the moisture. I would moisten only one corner of the substrate, and when it dries out a bit, moisten a different corner next time. They can go without water for some time, but you want to make sure that they have it available to them when they need it (like before a molt). Hope that helps!

[@OriginalDrGonzo]

@TomsBigSpiders This helps big time. I've been pondering these questions for quite some time now. Thank you soooo much Tom. I'm deeply grateful. I feel like I'm learning her husbandry just by watching and observing, I've already seen what she does with too much moisture so that's boosting a bit of confidence. The mold was a white and thin cottony look on the sphagnum moss. I haven't seen anymore mold since I spot cleaned and added some springtails and dried the enclosure out a little bit so I think I'm doing alright. Thanks again Tom, truly. You're a good guy to go and respond to as many people as possible.

[@paszmaty]

This video is so helpful!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I'm so glad!

[@klaskristian1]

Good idea of adding water on she shed moult! I have never thought of that

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, bud! Yeah, that has worked out well for me!

[@JJDigitalartStudio]

I think this should put some keepers worries to rest. One guy who used to be on YT had taken a T with bad molt and he tried to save it but it passed. One cannot save them if the molt is bad and they cannot pick the carapace off the T's body. It is sad.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I hope so, Joyce! I definitely know how stressful this stuff can be. And that's terrible. :( I hope that you and yours had a Happy Thanksgiving!

[@JJDigitalartStudio]

@@TomsBigSpiders Very happy thank you. However I believe with your dogs, cats, kids, and 2000 T's your was noisier than mine. Ha ha. Give my love to Billie. God bless you and your fam.

[@madhokte]

Whoo video podcast! Gonna put this on while I care for my spiders 🥰

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you, Madeline!

[@klaskristian1]

Great videos and topic as always man, great topic! Yes there are many topics that can worry beginners but are totally normal. But on the topic on tarantula setteling in. As you say, If a female wanders around for say a week after introducing it, i would set up the tank diffrently. Maybe deeper substrate a better hide and so on. The enclosure can look perfect in our eyes, but it can be just a small thing that is not suiteble for the tarantula. My theory is in nature females wander until they find a nice place to dig a burrow. If criteria is not met, they keepon wander. Same in terrarium. Many times i have put in a female in a new cage and they pacing around, not eating. I rearrenge its tank, maybe just arrenge the corkbark diffrently or packing the substrate little firmer and it emideatly setteling in, digs a burrow and us happy. A small step for a human, is a giant leap for tarantulas!🙂 Another thing is that even great eaters like say Phormictopus can fast. Many keepers heres that some speicies doesnt fasts, and if a A geniculata or Phormic is not in premoult and does not eat they think something is automaticly wrong. But often it is just fasting. It is not only G rosea that can be fasting. My theory on burrowing is that the tarantula can "feel" if the substrate and dephs of substrate is sutable for burrowing? Often i think it is depending on substrate. We may think the substrate is perfect, but the spider does not? Not always but sometimes. Same with webbing. I have 3 diffrent P murinus females that just have silk in their burrowmouth. Maybe they felt that they did not have to webb, cos i used clay as substrate? If i used some more loose substrate they may have webbed more? One thing i have wittnessed during my years is sometimes females standing with there fangs "hanging down" amd fluids drips from their mouth. I have seen this a few times, so very rare. I am not totally sure why they are doing this? Have you an answer to that?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks so much, bud...this was a fun one to do. You bring up MANY great points in this...especially the fact that what WE may feel is a good setup may NOT be a good setup to the spider. That could be why some don't settle down as quickly. And I have Phormictopus species fast for over a year, so great point. As for the fluid, I've seen that when they are cleaning themselves. Could that be it? Thanks again!

[@klaskristian1]

@@TomsBigSpiders No, i have had speicies that just have stand in a normal position with fand "hanging" and a blob of fluids in their mouth. I am not sure why, but

[@erikbetancourt7194]

I found out that my Brazilian white knee is super calm but she is a very aggressive eater. That means no handling. She chased a 3" mouse around her house not waiting for it to come over. I feed her a pinky last week so she should not be super hungry??

[@TomsBigSpiders]

That's awesome, Erik! Not into feeding live vertebrates myself, but that should be more than enough for several weeks.

[@rachelsheldon6031]

I had a T. albo that somehow flipped herself on her back by accident. I genuinely thought that she was molting because she had a large bald spot, but the next day, she was still upside-down. I was so upset that she appeared to be having a bad molt and dropped water on her palps. She drank enthusiastically. I flipped her over. She took a long drink and toddled off. The same T also molted upright twice. After the second time, she regained the instinct to roll over.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Rachel! I've had a lot of folks share similar experiences with me. It seems that some will flip for no apparent reason! Glad to hear that she is molting the right way now!

[@jaungiga]

I was listening to this while working, took a little break from work and checked out Instagram. You were talking about spiders flipping on their back at the same time I was watching a story of Tarantula Kat's G. pulchra who climbed on top of her empty waterdish, flipping herself over in the process while still clinging to the plastic dish. Lol. I guess that situation count as "it's not normal but you shouldn't worry about it either"

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, bud! Hahaha That's just a crazy spider! haha Yup...it's weird but don't worry! :) Hope all is well!

[@judyhausler7057]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I have been trying to get in contact with you about the best way to aquire jumpers,any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Judy! Are you sure that you're not looking for Tom Patterson? I don't sell spiders, and usually when I get an email about jumpers, people are looking for him to buy some. Let me know!

[@judyhausler7057]

@@TomsBigSpiders feeling very silly now.

[@charlesdoyle3630]

Belated Happy Turkey day Tom and Billie

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks so much, Charles!

[@charlesdoyle3630]

@@TomsBigSpiders Welcome been busy alot so sorry it is late.

[@mereyemsuzanne8635]

Thank you so so much . Greetings from me 👋

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you, Mereyem!

[@mereyemsuzanne8635]

@@TomsBigSpiders 🕷❤🕷❤🕷❤🕷❤

[@Bloopie666]

Hi Tom, great Podcast. I wish you had more answers for arboreals. For instance, I have a 1.5" (DLS) C versicolor that is set up in a Tarantula Crib enclosure. I have anchor points both high and low for her to enjoy but since I put her in there (over 2 months ago) - she's made her home on the ground. Tunnels everywhere but on the ground. She's eating well and explores but she never goes up high - though honestly I really don't know since who knows what happens when the lights go out. For all I know she could be having a Rave in there...lol! Anyway, is this normal for a sling? Thanks!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I mean, on the one hand, if she's eating she should be fine. On the other hand, that is VERY strange behavior for a C. versicolor. They are usually arboreal from day one.

[@clnfreakone8486]

My LP was out for a few days … ate … dug like a bulldozer and I haven’t seen it since .. at some point it will come out lol 😂 my avic has min webbing but is all over its enclosure chilling and eating weekly

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Sounds like you have very well adjusted spiders!

[@timrobinson7273]

This is absolutely amazing please do this again BIG TOM THE TRUE OR FALSE I GOT 12 ,14 15 AND 16 BECAUSE I DIDN'T HEAR IT CLEARLY Multiple choice I got 26 wrong but I really didn't understand completely but very surprised how well I done Consider how long I've been doing this only 3 to 4 yrs now

[@timrobinson7273]

Sorry this was wrong podcast I answered this was supposed for the exam

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you so much...and well done! And no worries, I figured as much!

[@michaeltaylor2449]

An Interesting video Tom

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you!

[@michaeltaylor2449]

@@TomsBigSpiders Your welcome

[@headhoncho2558]

Hi Tom greetings from Ireland, love the channel very informative, question I have adult gbb that hasn’t eaten in nearly two years but still active , is she in final molt preparation or preparing to die , she looks visibly ok no broken fangs or damaged spinnerettes any idea ?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello from the US! Wow, that's actually a long time for one not to eat. That said, my females both went quite a while without eating before. If she is active and not skinny in the abdomen, she is probably fine. Is she really old, per chance?

[@headhoncho2558]

She’s still active , she actually kicked hairs at me when I tried to feed her lol she’s slim but not overly skinny , i purchased her as an adult , she looks quite dull so I would of thought she was due a molt

[@elorine1535]

I adore having tarantulas most of mine are arboreals and so i dont see them that often. I keep fish and alot are exotic plecos, i wont see them for 6 months and when i do they are massive. So im used to tarantula like pets. Fish and tarantulas are extremely similar when it comes to plecos. Ive handled a few tarantulas but by mistake when im feeding or changing water randomly one will go to explore. Its happened 6 times over a year i never planned on handling them but when it happends its a small treat.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Elorine! I often compare keeping tarantulas to exotic fish. People seem to "get" them more when you use that comparison. :)

[@robertsteiger2952]

I have female A. avic that molted, tore its webbing down and hasn't eaten since then. Been about 2 months, very active, its abdomen is a smaller than before her molt. . I keep offering food, and keep the water dish is full. Anything else I can do?

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Robert! What size is it...full grown? Are you sure it's a female (I only ask, because sometimes folks think that they have females, and it ends up maturing male). If there isn't a lot of cover in the enclosure, you may try adding extra fake plants.

[@robertsteiger2952]

@@TomsBigSpidersShe is full grown( 5" leg span) and I don't see any hooks, I have her in a 12x12x18, with cork tube, live plants and some sticks, 2 water dishes (one on the ground and the other attached to the cork tube). Today is feeding day, so I guess I'll see if she eats.

[@darcystcorner2580]

Hiya Tom I haven’t seen my 5” auratus in a year. She burrowed last winter and she’s a still burrowed. She did leave me a window to check on her and she still alive. I’m super jelly that most seem to hang out in the open. Not since I gave her 6” of substrate in her new(well last year) enclosure, now she’s fossorial 😂😂

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Wow! I'm guessing that she was nice and fat before she went down? I have had Phormictopus go over a year without molting. One of my P. auratus still uses her burrow, but she is also out quite a bit!

[@darcystcorner2580]

@@TomsBigSpiders well I was thinking Premolt but it’s been a year lol. I know her booty looks good

[@china_sickness7005]

Speaking of younger beginner species not being docile. My juvenile/young adult G pulchripes is not one that can be handled at the moment. The first time I tried, I used a brush to stroke a back leg and it exploded onto that brush like it’s never eaten before in its life. I don’t really mind though because I enjoy the strong feeding responses. I haven’t tried to test it since, and I probably won’t until later after it molts once or twice

[@TomsBigSpiders]

It might calm down a bit once it puts on some size. I have three, and they are all VERY laid back. That said, there are always exceptions!

[@china_sickness7005]

I have two brachypelma slings that I’m taking care of right now. They’re both about half and inch in legspan. I got them both in October and I originally fed them pieces of cricket drumsticks once a week. It’s now November of course and they’re both fat as ticks. They aren’t really showing signs of premolt but I just don’t feel like they need more food before their next molts. A big question I have that no one really talks about is should you ever stop feeding a tarantula based off its abdomen size? I haven’t fed one of the slings for about a week and a half and I’m sure it’s fine, it just stresses me out a little. I’m crossing my fingers that they’ll molt soon so they’ll be a bit bigger and more hardy

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Personally, as long as they are still eating, I'll keep feeding them. I know some people say that once the look fat they stop, but I've done that before and had the spider still not molt for months and eat when I offered food again. They know when it's time to stop eating and to go into premolt.

[@struansexoticreptiles17]

Great video and thank you so much for the information! I personally have a Grammastola Pulchripes right now, a sling that is about 3/4 of an inch or so bought from fear not in beginning of November in a 5.5 oz cup. Since getting this sling, immediately went to the pre burrow I had and covered the entrance with dirt. In the beginning of December tho the sling had opened the burrow and I put a prekilled mealworm at the entrance and that disappeared within a few hours, immediately the next day I noticed the burrow was covered again though and the sling hasn't come out since, is this normal behavior as well would you say? The burrow is part of a cork piece so I could life the cork piece without harming the spider I just of course don't wanna stress the sling out if that's not needed. I hope this isn't a dumb question or I'm just being far too impatient.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello! Yes, this is very normal behavior for them. It is likely in premolt. Have you seen my video on this species? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXW4maeXfM2SZ9k

[@maggimausegeist9430]

My P. sazimai slings have dug in since August. Should i look what they do or should i wait? They are 0,8 mm, and they have never eaten if i had them. Sry for my English....i am from Germany.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hello, Maggimausegeist! Your English is great! Ummmm...at that size, that's a long time to be buried without eating or molting. What do you have them in for enclosures? Can you send me photos at [e-mail] ?

[@calliew311]

I may have missed a response, from you, but I recently had a 1 inch P irminia sling go on its back (I thought to molt), he was there for over 12 hours. Then I went to bed and woke up and there was no molt and he was crawling on the wall of the enclosure. He even ate like 4 days ago. I have never heard of such a thing, and even I thought maybe I was mistaken, until I reviewed the photos, you could see his lungs and his orange and pink mouth on ventral side of his carapace. He is ok and that's all that matters, but I didn't even know that was a 'thing' that could happen. Lol.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Callie! I responded! I basically said that I've had many folks experience this type of weird behavior, and we're not sure what causes it.

[@OriginalDrGonzo]

I'd suggest if you ever got too many emails about the same topic, write down the information they are asking for an keep it somewhere like a word document or something and just copy and paste when you need it. 😊 That's what I do for work.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Funny you should suggest that, as I started doing that. haha

[@OriginalDrGonzo]

@TomsBigSpiders Yeah it's saved me a TON of time. Love the content sir!

[@Kurus-pq7xw]

I have a curly hair i feed her every couple weeks sometimes weekly. I do overfeed my scorpion tho 😬. He's fat. He's going into diet mode for at least a month to six weeks.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hahaha Hopefully your scorpion deals with his diet well. :)

[@Kurus-pq7xw]

@@TomsBigSpiders he's always hungry. Even when he's so fat 😂. He's a true glutton. Also the shyest creature I've ever seen. But he's well. They deal with eating more than spiders typically do from what I heard from the gents on arachnoboards.Soon I'm going to get a mantis and a giant centipede. I also typically choose not to handle my animals at all. Even tho my curly hair is perfectly well behaved and it would prolly be fine. Rather not stress em out.

[@Kurus-pq7xw]

@@TomsBigSpiders your channel is amazing btw. Thanks for all the information ☺️.

[@krystaogletree826]

I’ve just gotten a completely BALD 😂 spider out the mail. And, my first thoughts were 💭 were what the heck was going on with the previous housing. I just stumbled across this video.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I'm glad that I could help, Krysta!

[@krystaogletree826]

@@TomsBigSpiders Thanks!!! for your response, and great videos.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

@@krystaogletree826 Thank you so much, Krysta!

[@tinabbaker37]

I'm going to make Do Not Disturb signs 😂

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hahahaha Yes!

[@ambermichealshotkinkyjo15]

Yes I love long videos

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks, Amber!

[@thomasbazin1529]

Well, after gettimg a bit freaked out at some points when one of my Ts been doing weird stuff, now I'm more like... ok whatever, it's probably just doing fine. 🤷‍♂️ killing with kindness is much easier done than by neglect I guess. Anyway... I will be away for 6 weeks, just gonna moisten their enclosures properly right before leaving, I'm sure they'll do just fine. Bit concerned about my babies P. sazimai, about 1/2" atm, it'll be the leap of faith for them... 😅 but it seems they can already cope with dry conditions, I'm not so consistent with spraying them but they're doing fine. Keep it up! 🤘

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Haha Killing with kindness indeed! I've totally been there. And if things are moist, they should be fine. The P. sazimai comes from an area that experiences really dry periods and extreme flooding. Hope all is well!

[@thomasbazin1529]

@@TomsBigSpiders I guess it should be ok even for the Sazimai babies. I've been misting them every 2 weeks since I moved them, they don't seem to show any discomfort. :) 2 wks to 6 wks is big jump but I'm confident. ;D Just checked, one of them molted today. Just gonna give them all an appropriate sized mealworm before leaving and they should do fine. Tough little buggers! 👍

[@tinabbaker37]

I have Angels, Fruit Cakes and Psychos. Just roll with the personalities. Totally 😊❤

[@sara.3042]

I also love "pet rocks" because I love to admire them. My H. Pulcripes and Balfouri are total pet holes, but my new worlds are more in the "pet rock" category. I love to see their furry little butts!!

[@TomsBigSpiders]

I agree with you 100%! It's so nice to always see them out!

[@neliaharrison2650]

Based on your experience How many of your female t's have eaten the male when matching them up

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Nelia. My Hapalopus formosus female ate two males, despite me trying to intervene. I've had many others that I was able to successfully protect the male.

[@wildelapina5955]

are there albino tarantuluas

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Wow, that's a great question. I do not believe so!

[@Dedlyniteshade]

My nhandu coloratovillosus didnt eat for 10 months once an I swear if she lost any weight it wasnt even visible lol

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Yup, they can go a loooonggg time without eating!

[@KingTimmy136]

My mexican red rump kicks hair when i refill its water bowl.😂

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hahaha Don't you love when they do that?

[@KingTimmy136]

​@@TomsBigSpiders sometimes 😅

[@christophersamuelson451]

It is about the research but it is also about the animal’s natural history. You can spend a lifetime on both.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thanks, Christopher!

[@tinabbaker37]

My seemanies make bunkers -my sazamai stands on top of the mountain 🏔️ it made. My house is a mental hospital and I'm the Warden and Owner.

[@allenmills9449]

Rehoused my G pulchra and G pulchripes and they both buried themselves. Lol, see ya when I see ya

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hahaha That's a good way to put it!

[@tanakeilidh384]

👍❤️

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you, Tana!

[@stangeorgedoxtator9263]

Check my pink bird eater taraulta on my profile pic i don't know if it's a female or male still and I have had it for 3 years now

[@TomsBigSpiders]

How large is it? It's kind of hard to see from the pic!

[@stangeorgedoxtator9263]

@@TomsBigSpiders can I send you some pics to determine the sex where do I send it?

[@Lisa-eu9fy]

🕷❣❤💙💜🥰🕷

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you!

[@michaelnancyamsden7410]

Personally, I enjoy long videos. Show the Ts and talk away.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Thank you, Michael Nancy!

[@maciejp7829]

video needs chapters

[@ericbeeman8717]

Ya know I've owned ts off n on sense I was 15 and usually when my ts stop doing things I see as being abnormal which is clearly normal to them thats when I notice things going wrong I've seen em do some weird stuff seen some randomly just flip over on their back n lay that way not even in premolt just lay there soon as u tap the side of tank they right themselves and run off its like wtf are u doing lol something I've found to also help them not stress to much on rehouses I'm pretty sure uve touched that subject b4 probably is take some of their old webbing or something from their old tank and stick it in the new one so they have some of their scent in the new tank and seems to help somewhat

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hey, Eric! That one has actually come up a couple times in the comments. It's the strangest behavior, and I don't get whey they do that. And, yes...I actually talk about the webbing thing in my latest video!

[@ericbeeman8717]

One other thing I know handling is so to say frowned upon n all that but I find it to be a personal preference but one odd thing everytime I've ever handled one of my ts most often during rehouse they tend to change in a small way had some that don't threat pose any more had some not be super spastic and next time it happens they're just like meh I'm good just gonna walk around and be curious George n check ur hand out the scents on it and maybe try n scramble through the arm hair I know people have always said oh ts don't know anything only eat sleep n molt that's all nothing else maybe I'm stupid and ignorant but I see so much more from my ts then just mother nature's perfect killing machines hell for instance my orphnaecus.philippinus if u catch her out walking around and open the lid she will walk right out on ur hand and just check ya out until u put her back and she will go right back n and walk around or go back to set by her burrow same with this adult boehmei x baumgarteni cross if u open her lid when ur setting by her the lil stinker will walk out n come right to ya and set on ur leg like an old dog and ya I know if ya open any lid they will eventually come out but these 2 come straight out to ya

[@NicolasAvilalala]

Hey! Thanks for beeing such a big source of information for us. I'm from Argentina and this is not a common hobby here. In fact i was able to find only one pet store online with slings to buy (i don't even know if its legal to keep spiders here XD). But now i have an awesome T albo sling as my first T and she's doing great, loves to burrow and is eating properly. But i noticed that while she stays into her burrow she's standing at one side of the enclosure and not in the substrate, is that normal or i'm making some mistake? (idk maybe humidity?) she's like one inch DLS and already molted once since i have her.

[@NicolasAvilalala]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/amfVoWt5lqaIibc&ab_channel=NicolasAvila this is a footage of her from a few days ago, her burrow is getting bigger but is esentially the same rn.

[@TomsBigSpiders]

Hi, Nocolas! Greetings from the US! I just checked out the video...she looks great! I'm not sure what the substrate is, but it looks quite damp and not packed down. That may be causing the issue that you're seeing. Hope that helps!

[@NicolasAvilalala]

@@TomsBigSpiders Thank you very much Tom! You're right about the substrate, it is coco fiber, but isn't packed down, my bad. Just read your answer like five minutes ago, and went to grab the enclosure to fix it but she was molting again. Isn't that weird? I have her since the first of november and already molted twice. Isn't that a bit fast for a T albo? Thank you again and greetings from Argentina! =)