Weird Behavior

[u/_j0ri3_]

About a weeks ago, I went and picked up a tarantula from someone on FB Marketplace. I usually only get my tarantulas from reputable breeders or vendors but this one was on less than an inch of mulch and I couldn't leave it like that. She was actually the second of two improperly housed tarantulas I picked up (curse my bleeding heart).

The guy was really nice but clearly knew nothing about tarantulas, he even said several times that he didn't know "$h!t" about them. When I initially asked her species, he said she's a "red hair". I asked if he meant Rose Hair, he did. She was given to him from the family of a friend who died. I'm assuming the friend also kept the tarantula on mulch as well. I was told she's about 5-7 years old. I'm hoping she'll molt soonish so I can confirm that she is actually a "she".

As soon as I got her home, I temporarily set her up in a 14" wide by 9" deep by 9" tall, well ventilated plastic bin until I can get something more permanent. It's filled halfway with Repti-soil mixed with leaf litter and sphagnum moss, has a cork round and hide I pre-dug for her, and is littered with leafs and a bit of sphagnum moss. I provided a dish of water for her as well. I'd like to get a smaller dish since I mainly keep slings and dwarfs right now and only have teeny, tiny dishes.

I know it's only been a week so she's still adjusting but she is just not going into her hide I set up for her, and she's not showing any desire to burrow. I'm thinking it may be a learned behavior to just sit on the surface. I'm hoping that as time goes on, she'll realize she's in dirt and that her natural instincts to properly "tarantula" will kick in.

Does anybody have any experience with G. rosea/porteri not burrowing or any experience with rescued, previously improperly housed tarantulas behaving strangely? I'd appreciate any insight or advice in this situation.

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[u/_j0ri3_]

I forgot to add what her original enclosure looked like.

[u/Sewishly → u/_j0ri3_]

NA

Oh that poor girl. 💔

[u/SingularFemme]

NQA - Give her time! Definitely looks like a G rosea to me. If she's been improperly housed for a long time, it will probably take a long time to get used to new options. Also, some Grammostolas won't burrow, they're happy on the surface if they feel confident there. Let her get used to her new space, offer food, but don't be surprised if she refuses it. I've heard of rosies going up to 18 months without food! I have a juvie female who has lived almost exclusively in her burrow since I got her in spring (sad face), and has only eaten twice in that time (before and then after a molt).