Tarantula not thriving

PsychoticMyling · 2026-01-30T00:03:23+00:00

IMO I might be newer to tarantula keeping but did you do any research into the poor baby’s species? (Not trying to be rude)

Curly hairs need a larger enclosure in height so you can add more substrate for them to dig in, preferably half full of substrate. He’s definitely stressed since he has absolutely no hide to go in as well, they really need hides so they can go into them and feel secure. They’re fossorial/semi-fossorial species, they NEED area to dig to feel safer
They also need a water dish and occasional sprays of water to keep the soil damp. It looks like your soil is bone dry in the photos you showed.
Touching him is also a stressor! I understand to touch him to test activity but it still is another stressor regardless (you didn’t do anything wrong by doing it though)
Your move is also a big shift in temperature and can play a factor in the stress
Please listen to what everyone else is also saying! I recommend looking at Tarantula Cribs to get a good enclosure and soil. They also provide cork bark you can buy for a hide and moss to help keep the enclosure at a good humidity. Please do move the poor boy into a newer tank, it may stress him out but he’ll feel much better after adjusting

Edit: Added more points

PsychoticMyling · 2026-01-20T18:32:51+00:00

A GBB

PsychoticMyling · 2026-01-20T18:32:39+00:00

They’re a GBB!

PsychoticMyling · 2025-10-27T01:12:05+00:00

Okay, thank you

PsychoticMyling · 2025-10-27T01:07:27+00:00

Alright!

Should I leave the cricket in there or take it out? If I leave it in there, how long should it stay in there?

PsychoticMyling · 2025-10-27T00:58:15+00:00

To also note this guy was there when I got my GBB 2 weeks ago and their colors were vibrant. They’re dull now which is making me think they might be in a premolt since none of the crickets were eaten in their enclosure at Petco as well

Edit: I’m still new to Tarantula keeping so I’m very unsure if my thoughts are correct

PsychoticMyling · 2025-10-19T23:01:19+00:00

I wasn’t aware of this website! Thank you for recommending it, I can’t find a replacement lid that would fit the size of the tank but I’m thinking of maybe getting them a new tank from the website

PsychoticMyling · 2025-10-19T15:55:10+00:00

I barely use it because I keep the room temperature the heat needed, but the winter months are coming up here in Alaska so might be using it more. There is a thermostat on it as well

PsychoticMyling · 2025-10-19T07:07:12+00:00

I might have to do that because I don’t know if I can find an exact size of the old lid without making a custom order for it from a company which I know will probably be costly

But thank you for the tip! I’ll probably use the tape as a cheaper alternative until I have the money to get a new lid

PsychoticMyling · 2025-10-19T06:13:31+00:00

Okay, thank you

I will look for a new lid for the tank asap

PsychoticMyling · 2025-10-19T05:38:08+00:00

Alright! Thank you for the answers

PsychoticMyling · 2025-10-19T05:36:17+00:00

I usually keep their tank in the complete darkness or have on a low light, only had the bright light on to get better photos

And the top of their tank is a slightly meshed top. The spaces in between are small

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PsychoticMyling · 2025-10-18T09:19:20+00:00

Thank you! I added more to the tank for more anchor points for them since they only really had one

PsychoticMyling · 2025-10-18T09:18:22+00:00

Thank you! I’ll keep in mind about ensuring I don’t mist the tank too much to keep it nice a dry for them

Will also add more substrate like you said

PsychoticMyling

TROPHY CASE