Entering new territory. My first tarantula.

[plateOfFlan]

Sorry for contributing to derail!
More on topic: about the screen top, if it's woven tightly like window screen, that's the dangerous kind. There is a type of screen lid that's flat with diamond-shaped openings, and those are perfectly safe. I can't tell from the pics but it looks like you have the safe one? Clips for the lid may also be a good idea, tarantulas are shockingly strong (and stubborn) and if she gets it into her head to lift the lid she's going to keep at it if there's any give.

[Snagrio]

Sorry for contributing to derail!
More on topic: about the screen top, if it's woven tightly like window screen, that's the dangerous kind. There is a type of screen lid that's flat with diamond-shaped openings, and those are perfectly safe. I can't tell from the pics but it looks like you have the safe one? Clips for the lid may also be a good idea, tarantulas are shockingly strong (and stubborn) and if she gets it into her head to lift the lid she's going to keep at it if there's any give.

Here's a pic of the lid. Looks like the diamond shape? Would be nice to take the tinfoil off for more air circulation and I think she'd prefer things to be drier anyway from what I've read. And I could get something to weigh the lid down if needed. Wasn't sure if she could hoist it open (not like she's moved for the past several days straight but still).

[Snagrio]

I've been getting concerned that she's been too cold, as she's been practically hugging the area where the heat pad is and hasn't moved or attempted to dig or anything. I changed the layout so the log above ground backs into the heat pad. I carefully nudged her to the entrance so she'll hopefully go in there, but as you can see she was not happy about it (glad I used tongs, she struck them several times while trying to slowly push her out of the way to move the log in place and then in front of it).


Update she did go inside. Hopefully she can settle in better now that she feels warm and secure at the same time.

[Snagrio]

I finally got around to offering Rachnera a couple crickets and she took both of them at the same time in a single strike almost as soon as I dropped them in. I'd say she's comfortable now.

[Bogertophis]

Wow, she's got real talent!

[Snagrio]

She randomly decided to sit out on the moss mound today.


Those tiny eyes are so unexpectedly cute.

[plateOfFlan]

Welcome to the wonderful world of owning a tarantula, where "my pet moved a few inches / is in a different position today!" becomes the most exciting thing to happen all week

[Bogertophis]

Welcome to the wonderful world of owning a tarantula, where "my pet moved a few inches / is in a different position today!" becomes the most exciting thing to happen all week

So true. But I think herp lovers are "observers" by nature & generally well-prepared for this. Or should be?

[plateOfFlan]

To be serious though, I think we can learn a lot from tarantulas. If they don't need anything, they don't do anything. And because of their simple brains, they can't really want anything they don't need. Since we give them just about everything they need in captivity, they end up spending most of their time just ... existing. It's a hard thing for a human to do, since we have so many thoughts and worries and wants and feelings.

[Bogertophis]

....It's a hard thing for a human to do, since we have so many thoughts and worries and wants and feelings.

And we do that to ourselves, too. It's why humans have so much trouble meditating, even though research suggests it's good for us on various levels. Switching off & being in the moment IS a challenge for us poor humans. And many pets do help us with that, to the extent we get the message & cooperate.

It probably goes all the way back to the idea of owning a piece of land- then we need a home for protection from the elements & as a place to store all of our "stuff", & we need a job to buy stuff & support all that, then lots of security to protect all that, & we no longer have time to grow or gather our own food, so we keep on working, because our vehicles wear out to go get stuff, & when we decide to relax, many of us can't wait to go somewhere else for a while, but that can be a stressful "can of worms" too.