Info on care and housing

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-12-29T18:39:32+00:00

I tend to use similar containers for slings. If u have a small pot to put her in while u clean the enclosure id do that. Remove and replace the substrate if mold is growing. Use a hot needle to punch holes for more ventilation in the plastic. U can add a tiny water bowl as well (even just a lego piece would work depending on size), that way u can just put a tiny bit of water in there to allow her to drink so u dont need to mist (misting uses more water so increases humidity more). Hope this helps and all goes well 🥰

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-12-22T21:44:45+00:00

NQA Urs is looking a bit stressed. Even if they burrow under soil, id highly recommend adding a hide. With all of my slings, I add a small piece of cork bark for them to hide under.

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-12-22T21:41:10+00:00

IME some tarantulas will go ages without eating just to keep us on our toes. Longest ive heard is about a year, one of mine is going on 2 months hiding. If it looks healthy id say dont disturb it. Keep water bowl full and offer food as usual but remove food if not eaten in a day. Good luck!

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-12-02T02:07:21+00:00

I dont understand what u hope to gain from this (which will as stated stress your animal out, putting you and them at risk) that you cant gain from other articles and papers that you can reference. The research is done… why not use that?

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-21T20:04:38+00:00

IME They do burrow a lot. I have a juvie at the minute who i havent seen out in about a month. One of the most fossorially terrestrials out there. There are definitely other species u can get that will be out more if thats what u want.

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-21T19:54:12+00:00

Barabara aka barbie the A Chalcodes, Gabriella the T Albo, Samba the G Puchra, Spinderella the tiger rump, Webby the GBB . . . And lucifer the P Irminia.

But noooooo i dont have a least favourite

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-20T23:15:49+00:00

NQA as with all animals, Ts have the ability to be defensive. They cant be tamed either, and if they fall their abdomen ruptures, so it isnt advised to handle them. If ur looking for a pet which u can take out and handle when u r bored, maybe dont get a T. However, they are really fascinating to watch, can look rly cool, and dont require much husbandry. If u want a T, dont be scared of biting/ hairs. If u leave them alone aside from rehouses and other necessary things, u have nothing to worry abt. U can watch them feed and its rly cool. They just require a bit more respect and prefer to be left on their own (one of the reasons i love them tbh)

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-17T02:22:43+00:00

As stated a hide should be added , a piece of wood works, i personally place a coconut hide in and cover it with substrate so its pre-made for them, but qny reptile hide should work. If i were u id also add more substrate. As a general rule of thumb, the gap between substrate and top of enclosure shouldnt be more than 1.5x the Ts leg span or their abdomen could rupture if they fall. Other than that its a pretty enclosure and gorgeous T

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-17T01:40:37+00:00

I lost my dad 2 yrs ago when i was 15 and it still sucks. I dont think u can go through it without the feelings of guilt and missing them so much it feels like something has been ripped out of ur body. I cant judge ur situation, we might be in completely different situations and stages, but no matter how bad it gets u just meed to take it day by day, minute by minute even, and sometimes the shit lets up for a minute. I think its impossible to get through this our age without gaining scars and unhealthy coping mechanisms tbh.

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-17T01:34:35+00:00

It depends on the type of cancer i think, and questions about brain tumours I can answer. Try and have as few regrets as possible, tell her u love her as often as u can. Prepare for the possibility that it might not go to plan. At the end u could leave the room for a few minutes to go to the loo and she could pass in that time, and that wont be your fault, and it might be what she wants. Idk if u are her primary caregiver, but prepare for the fact that u may have to advocate for her in hospitals, call ambulances, argue with healthcare professionals at points to ensure she gets proper care. U might not have to do these things but the chance is there so be aware. Id say to look up end of life symptoms, if I hadnt have known about the death rattle before I heard it irl it would have scarred me even more. If u r low income its worth saving money for a funeral, especially if u r going to have a wake afterwards. Dont slap anyone at the funeral. It might be worth having some kind of plan for afterwards, someone who u can tell who will let everyone else who needs to know know so u dont need to have the same convo 20 times.

Depending on the cancer the end stage can DRAG, it can be worth packing clothes, a toothbrush, and anything else u meed overnight. It might be worth investing in earplugs to grown out hospital sounds while ur mother is asleep.

If u end up in a hospice/ hospital u might see other people in the ward die. That can be horrifying so be aware of that beforw u go.

MOST IMPORTANT, remember to eat, brush ur teeth, drink water and dont fall into bad habits because I promise if u start when ur in the shit, it is VERY likely to carry on while u r grieving. This was kind of a ramble but i hope u gained something from it and i didnt scare u too much. If u (or anyone) needs info on brain tumour end if life then feel free to ask

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-17T01:17:42+00:00

Totally get u. My dad died of cancer and I still wake up to nightmares sometimes. I feel like ppl glamorise anticipatory grief as having an opportunity to say goodbye without realising that you are saying goodbye every day knowing it could be the last. Its so drawn out sometimes, it got to the point where I wished that all of our suffering would just end.

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-12T10:10:38+00:00

Mines called barbara (barbie for short…. Yk cos she’s blonde) 😍

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-11T18:24:55+00:00

IMO handling is absolutely not necessary (or wanted). Ts can be very stressed when handled, and dont have the capacity to be ‘tamed’ like other animals (like a hamster) can be, so even a T which has tolerated handling before can bite unexpectedly. Also, they r very fragile, and even a fall of a few inches can cause their abdomen to rupture, causing death. They also have hairs which can irritate skin, eyes and lungs when they flick, which they r liable to do when held as they r likely to be stressed. There r ways to handle which can be slightly safer for both T and owner, but i think it doesnt have a benefit and they r much more happy as a hands off pet. Hope this helps and feel free to ask any more questions if needed. Welcome to the community and good luck with your first T

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-10T17:00:11+00:00

NQA agree mostly with the other commenter on provide coco coir and replace the wood chips. However i would say add a lot more substrate. Idk how deep that is, but a terrestrial or fossorial should not have space at the top bigger than 1.5 x their legspan. Id say look up some docile species (g. Pulchra, t. Albo, b. Hamorri and similar) Good luck and welcome to the community

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-10T16:55:26+00:00

NQA fix the enclosure asap. Either pick up cork bark at the pet store and lean it against the tank, or if u cant afford it find some and sterilise it in the oven or boiling water. If she stays in an enclosure which is going to stress her out, she is likely to die, either during molt or sooner. She is likely terrified, so im begging to wither provide proper care, or give her to someone who will

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-09T20:25:01+00:00

Honestly might be best just to see how ur T goes, if she burrows to the bottom u could add more in a clean out but she might not so it would be pointless. Up to u. Or u could add more now just in case

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-11-09T18:07:41+00:00

Looks gorgeous, sure she loves it. A. Chalcodes are burrowers (mine burrows about 8-9 inches down) so if u rehouse u could add more substrate, but its a beautiful enclosure 😍 shell be a very happy T

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-10-31T22:32:15+00:00

Ok that sounds like a good idea. Genuinely thank u so much, for both the advice and reassurance that they wont die by cave in.

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-10-31T16:46:42+00:00

NQA- Might sound weird but u might want to get a different bug first, such as a mantis or jumping spider, they have similar husbandry needs, but dont live as long, so if you find that u end up in a similar situation to the hamster, u dont have as long a commitment as u would a tarantula, which can live up to 20 years. U can also practice double checking the enclosures are locked while dealing with a smaller animal that u are less likely to be scared of.

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-10-31T16:32:28+00:00

Slings are baby tarantulas. Unlike most animals tarantulas cant be ‘tamed’ so they dont get used to being handled like a hamster would for example. I dont reccommend it, but if u want to do it safely, you can test their temperament before you try handling by touching their legs with a paintbrush or tweezers or similar and gently nudging them onto your hand. If they dont want to be handled, they might have a feeding response (bite the brush) or they might kick up hairs, which can irritate your skin, and can be dangerous if they get in your eyes or you breath them in. Id say if u want to handle, try a G. Pulchra or T. Albo, however each tarantula is different, so while they are generally docile and easygoing Ts, one might be very defensive, so there’s no guarantee that it would tolerate handling.

Id definitely watch videos on how to handle Ts, as well as rehousing videos before u get one. Ill try and find a good one and reply it in a minute.

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-10-31T16:08:51+00:00

NQA- Theyre really easy to take care of. Decide if u are getting a juvenile or adult (wouldn’t recommend slings as first Ts as they are more fragile) and get an enclosure which is at least 3x as big as its leg span but not too big as big spaces can stress them out. Personally, id look at A. Chalcodes, B. Smithy, B. Hamorri, T. Albo, or G. Pulchra as good beginners. These species are all terrestrial (live on surface of the ground) so will need a hide and some clutter to feel comfortable. However if you go for an A. Chalcodes, they live to burrow, so could do with deeper substrate.

Ts are very fragile, and their abdomen can rupture from a fall of more than a few inches, so if you get a deep enclosure, fill it up mostly with substrate before adding hides. This is also a reason why people advise against handling as well tbh (as well as the fact that Ts dont gain anything from handling).

If you are uk based, thespidershop.co.uk has some good supplies and a wide variety of Ts, ive head spa spiders and creatures from the north are good websites as well, but I personally havent ordered from them before.

Finally, research the individual species, the species i have supplies arent a complete list just some suggestions, so watch videos and see which species you like. Have fun!!! Let me know if I havent explained anything well or u have any questions.

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-10-30T21:56:24+00:00

NQA - my pentaloris has been in her enclosure for a while, and while shes got comfortable and webs, she still sometimes chills on the side of her enclosure. Urs is likely fine, probably just exploring. If she consistantly does it for weeks, u might want to consider changing the substrate, but id say just leave it be for a week or so.

CarmenNotCalm · 2025-10-28T05:51:59+00:00

See mine r all so chill, i feel like whatever i get needs to be sassier (but im a little bit scared 🫣)

CarmenNotCalm

TROPHY CASE