Psalmopoeus irminia help

[GlenM]

Hello I'm new too the forum and seeking a little advice.

I did buy her because she looked stunning I'm new to the tarantula game I realise she should be looked after via experienced people but I have her and that's it.

I have a Venezuelan suntiger (Psalmopoeus irminia) and she has holed up her hide blocking off one side with substrate and the other completely covered by webbing,
She's been like this for a while but o noticed she popped out recently so I gave her a cricket wich she ate.

I thought she would be in pressed molt but no molted skin present, she may very well still be in pre molt but came out because she's hungry

Thank you for any help

 

[Enn49]

Psalmopoeus irminia are usually very shy Ts and will spend a lot of time hidden away. I'd feed her and if she doesn't eat after 24 hours then remove the food, if she's hungry she'll come out to eat possibly during the night.

 

[GlenM]

I thought so just curious as she has blocked both entrances to the hide off thinking she's going into a pre molt

 

[Enn49]

How long have you had her and what container are you keeping her in, they're arboreal? If she's new she could just be settling in or it could be premoult. Can you post a photo of her and her home?

 

[Nicolas C]

Hello. Welcome around here. I have the same question as Enn: could you please tell us / post a picture of the enclosure, maybe we could give you some advices to give her a good setting.

The behavior you describe isn't surprising: she's trying to build a secure burrow against predators. Lots of my hidden species do this: blocking one entrance with substrate, and the other one with webbing. Either it could mean premolt, or it could only mean she needs safety (that's the reason of the webbing). The only way to know is to observe her behavior: at night, most of them open the webbing and stand at the entrance of the burrow if they are hungry. You can also do as you have done: drop a cricket and see if it's still here some hours later.

The good news is: if both entrances are blocked, your T will be perfectly safe in her hide.

As Enn said, remember Psalmopoeus irminia are arboreal, and they do like to dig a burrow just under the vertical cork bark. It's important for them to have a good hide and feel safe, because they are fast and can be quite reactive if they feel danger.

It's a beautiful and stunning specie. I really love them!!!

 

[GlenM]

How long have you had her and what container are you keeping her in, they're arboreal? If she's new she could just be settling in or it could be premoult. Can you post a photo of her and her home?

This is the tank she has a exo terrace glass
She has a few Cork barks in their covering the ground space one lay down which is her hide and the others up vertically.

I got her a juvenile and have had her since she did used to be in a temporary starter cage but has been moved into their.

Shes settled as shes been in their awhile now but has stayed in the hide for around 2 months. Not eaten since last night

I'll post a photo of her home when I arrive home

Thank you

 

[GlenM]

She also has black card around each side of the enclosure to keep it dark

 

[Kymura]

Hi GlenM, the folks here will help you get it all sorted out, great group we have, welcome ^.^

 

[Enn49]

I have my MM in an ExoTerra Nano (the 8"x8"x12") and he made a web hammock in the top back corner and hides up there only coming out occasionally.

 

[GlenM]

Thought I'd invest in a good tank for my baby. She mostly stays in the back corner too in her hidy hole I don't want too disturb her so can't really check if all is well with her

I'll keep you updated on what I do

Thank you all this is a great place iv joined. You've all been great help

 

[GlenM]

This is her when she was in her first home

 

[Nicolas C]

Everything in what you write indicates you are taking great care of your irminia. The setup seems absolutely ok: vertical cork barks and one horizontal, enough substrate to dig, and the exo terra are good (and pricey) enclosures (some people rightly advise against the wire mesh top, because a terrestrial tarantula could get her claws trapped inside, but I don't think it's so risky with an arboreal). You even thought to darken the sides so that your T won't be too stressed: great idea! Continue like this, leave her be, and enjoy the little beastie!

 

[GlenM]

Hello. Welcome around here. I have the same question as Enn: could you please tell us / post a picture of the enclosure, maybe we could give you some advices to give her a good setting.

The behavior you describe isn't surprising: she's trying to build a secure burrow against predators. Lots of my hidden species do this: blocking one entrance with substrate, and the other one with webbing. Either it could mean premolt, or it could only mean she needs safety (that's the reason of the webbing). The only way to know is to observe her behavior: at night, most of them open the webbing and stand at the entrance of the burrow if they are hungry. You can also do as you have done: drop a cricket and see if it's still here some hours later.

The good news is: if both entrances are blocked, your T will be perfectly safe in her hide.

As Enn said, remember Psalmopoeus irminia are arboreal, and they do like to dig a burrow just under the vertical cork bark. It's important for them to have a good hide and feel safe, because they are fast and can be quite reactive if they feel danger.

It's a beautiful and stunning specie. I really love them!!!

This is the enclosure I promised to show you hope it's okay happy to receive any feedback
Thank you

 

[Enn49]

@GlenM It looks good but she might like a piece of wood that goes up closer to the top.

This is my lad's. You can see his web hammock in the top right back corner with him in it. Excuse the poo down the doors, that's an arboreal T thing.

 

[GlenM]

@GlenM It looks good but she might like a piece of wood that goes up closer to the top.

This is my lad's. You can see his web hammock in the top right back corner with him in it. Excuse the poo down the doors, that's an arboreal T thing.

Thats amazing I'll pull out a decent piece of wood so she can climb love that hammock up top never knew they would do that.

 

[Phil]

Thats amazing I'll pull out a decent piece of wood so she can climb love that hammock up top never knew they would do that.

Tank size, shading etc all good so you are deffo on the right track, a bigger piece of bogwood/cork towards the top of the tank I am sure would be the icing on the cake for your T. Welcome to the forum and to this wonderful hobby. Great people on here so any questions just ask ☺

 

[GlenM]

Tank size, shading etc all good so you are deffo on the right track, a bigger piece of bogwood/cork towards the top of the tank I am sure would be the icing on the cake for your T. Welcome to the forum and to this wonderful hobby. Great people on here so any questions just ask ☺

Great thank you and thanks too all that has given me advice.
I will continue to question if I have any and post pics off the progress of my T

Just thinking if there would be a good T too add too the collection?

 

[Enn49]

Most of the Brachypelma species are good beginner Ts, ground dwellers that may burrow as slings but as they grow will stay in full view. Another I'd recommend is the Ami sp Panama, a very pretty T, a great feeder that only grows to around 2.5" dls and spend most of its time out and about.

 

[kormath]

Most of the Brachypelma species are good beginner Ts, ground dwellers that may burrow as slings but as they grow will stay in full view. Another I'd recommend is the Ami sp Panama, a very pretty T, a great feeder that only grows to around 2.5" dls and spend most of its time out and about.

great ones i'd add the GBB to this list also. my current favorite and easy to raise.

 

[GlenM]

Iv had a quick search up and iv had a see at the Brachypelma smithi a very popular beginner T.

Or there is the brachypelma auratum

Or Sericopelma rubronitens

Aswell the Gbb is beautiful

Great help again be sure to have a gander at these to purchase sometime.