20 year old Rose hair won't leave her water dish.

[Dawn1974]

I don't know what is happening, for the last few months she has spent days at a time in her water. She doesn't eat much at all. It's been years since she last molted. She belonged to my ex husband and he had her when we met. Can anyone give me any ideas what could possibly be going on with her?

 

[Konstantin]

Hi
Can you please share some photos of her and her enclosure.
Regards Konstantin

 

[Dawn1974]

Right now she in a smaller enclosure because I am in the process of cleaning her regular one. At first thought it was maybe mites so I moved her.

 

[menavodi]

She looks good. I do have a B. harmorii, she is old as well and she is doing the same... After a while, she is going back to “normal”

 

[Arachnoclown]

Probably because your using tree bark for substate. Cedar, pine, and many other types of wood from North America are toxic to invertebrates. Also they hate the feel of it...can't be pleasant to walk on. Instead use topsoil free from fertilizer or coco fiber.
Also if you have a heat lamp on her she will try to stay cool sitting on the water bowl...since she can't dig. (The red glow suggests you have one...not sure if you do.)

 

[Aracnoenthusiast]

I agree, ger rid of that substrate, replace with something more suitable like @Arachnoclown suggested, atleast 3 or 4 inches deep, from the pictures you have room for enough sub for her to burrow. Heat lamp will end up killing it if that is one.

 

[Grape Apple Pie]

Ugh, yeah, everything the clown said. 1up!

Cedar = no-go.
Heat lamp = 100% unnecessary for this species, this old.

How long is the process to "clean" the regular enclosure? What is her regular enclosure? How would she regularly be kept? I've rehomed the same Tarantula twice this week due to issues... I have back up homes to the back up homes. Substrate back ups for the substrate back ups.

How long has she been on cedar? This WILL kill her.

My suggestion is before you respond, you NEED to get her out immediately!

 

[Poor Pauly]

I am a noob currently doing my research before getting my first T and the first think I noticed was the substrate. Change it to a suitable one quick.

 

[Dawn1974]

Probably because your using tree bark for substate. Cedar, pine, and many other types of wood from North America are toxic to invertebrates. Also they hate the feel of it...can't be pleasant to walk on. Instead use topsoil free from fertilizer or coco fiber.
Also if you have a heat lamp on her she will try to stay cool sitting on the water bowl...since she can't dig. (The red glow suggests you have one...not sure if you do.)

The light is on my Red knee since she needs it a bit warmer. The substrate is Reptibark. I haven't had much time with this girl. I just took her a couple of months ago and kept using everything he gave me. I'm learning now that he didn't know as much about her as I thought he did. Thanks for your help.

 

[Aracnoenthusiast]

I would still remove the light. As long as your house is 60 f or above the tarantula will be fine. My t room is at 65 right now and everyone is just fine. The reptibark is a no go. With those changes your t should be much better off. It's a beautiful tarantula

 

[Arachnoclown]

The light is on my Red knee since she needs it a bit warmer. The substrate is Reptibark. I haven't had much time with this girl. I just took her a couple of months ago and kept using everything he gave me. I'm learning now that he didn't know as much about her as I thought he did. Thanks for your help.

I bred Brachypelma "redknees" they don't need heat. They are actually more active when its colder....55-65 degrees. Remember tarantulas hide during the day...opposite of all the unuseful information about their climate given. They hunt and feed at night. Ive seen them in the deserts at night...it gets down right cold at night.

The repibark is designed for reptiles...to repel bugs and parasites. Dont confuse reptile care and spider care...its commonly done due to the petshop business.

 

[Dawn1974]

I don't know what is happening, for the last few months she has spent days at a time in her water. She doesn't eat much at all. It's been years since she last molted. She belonged to my ex husband and he had her when we met. Can anyone give me any ideas what could possibly be going on with her?

Update: she is doing better today. She is starting to relax into her freshly remodeled home. Also a shot of my other darling.