FriedPet wrote: Lol, do you really think they perceive being our pets like that? :pinch: ...

On the same level as you and I, no. But, on some other level, perhaps instinctively, yes

FriedPet wrote: ... 2. The top of the cage is a solid piece of glass, with no vents. I do the following to help with ventilation: ...

When you open the cover do you notice a strange, chemical smell?

I normally tell enthusiasts that they can cover the tops of their tarantula's cage with plastic food wrap and not worry about the tarantulas suffocating. But that's because it's really hard to seal a cage 100%, and tarantulas have such low oxygen demands that they can get along just fine on what leaks in around the edges. But it's entirely possible that you're the first one who's actually almost hermetically sealed the tarantula in an air tight cage. It's possible that the air is getting too stale, even for a tarantula, and it needs more ventilation. I suggest that you either make a completely different cover for the cage that allows just a little ventilation. Or, take that glass plate to a large glass/glazier's shop and and have them drill 8 to 12 holes in the glass, each hole being perhaps 4 to 8 mm in diameter.

FriedPet wrote: ... 3. I'm not sure what it's called, think it's peat? It is very dry. ...

Looks like peat. If it doesn't have a really rank smell it's probably okay. But, if it does have a bad odor or your tarantula doesn't come down to Earth soon, you might consider changing to shredded coconut husk.

FriedPet wrote: ... 4. This is the cage setup: ...

Is that a real baboon skull?

FriedPet wrote: ... 5. I couldn't really get a ruler close enough to him and it's been a while since he last molted, but he is no more than 10cm but not less than 8cm. ...

Okay. That's good enough.

FriedPet wrote: ... 6. L 46cm, W 23cm, H 32cm I know that is too high, so I made a small alteration:
...
But he just chews through it. ...

Do as Cascade suggested and fill the cage to about the level of the divider. And yes, chewing through dirt is what they do. Styrofoam is no challenge at all. In fact, it might be something to place with.

FriedPet wrote: ... 7. No live plants. ...

Excellent!

I still have the impression that it needs something else to play with.

Or, you keep referring to it as "he." Do you know for sure? If it is a male, perhaps it is beginning to feel "the wanderlust" prematurely and is just ill at ease because it can't look for the girls, even though he couldn't do anything but feed them at this point.

FriedPet wrote: ... Nope, I was studying while listening to Oleg Serkov's Epoch Symbol :whistle:

Now you have piqued my interest and I'm going to have to hunt up "Oleg Serkov's Epoch Symbol" just to see what it is.

Stanley A. Schultz wrote: When you open the cover do you notice a strange, chemical smell?

I smell something, wouldn't call it a chemical smell. It's also not very strong, just a faint smell that I thought could be normal. Just gave it another sniff, I don't know how to explain it :S

Stanley A. Schultz wrote: take that glass plate to a large glass/glazier's shop and and have them drill 8 to 12 holes in the glass, each hole being perhaps 4 to 8 mm in diameter.

I will do this, thank you!

Stanley A. Schultz wrote: Looks like peat. If it doesn't have a really rank smell it's probably okay. But, if it does have a bad odor or your tarantula doesn't come down to Earth soon, you might consider changing to shredded coconut husk.

Luckily he isn't constantly on the sides, he walks around on the peat as well. I'll try coconut husk though when I clean his cage in about 2 weeks.

Stanley A. Schultz wrote: Is that a real baboon skull?.

No it isn't :lol: My friend forgot to bring me the skull of the baboon he shot. Hopefully he will remember next time!!

Stanley A. Schultz wrote: Do as Cascade suggested and fill the cage to about the level of the divider.

Will do this when I clean his cage. Thanks Cascade

Stanley A. Schultz wrote: I still have the impression that it needs something else to play with.

I will get him some toys:) Got another big log today that looks like that rock in Lion's King Will get more stuff like you mentioned soon!

Stanley A. Schultz wrote: Or, you keep referring to it as "he." Do you know for sure? If it is a male, perhaps it is beginning to feel "the wanderlust" prematurely and is just ill at ease because it can't look for the girls, even though he couldn't do anything but feed them at this point.

I also thought about this today! His hormones is starting to kick in! Ah, the joys of puberty :woohoo:
No, I have no idea what sex he is. I guess it's just a manner of speech, using the male gender for objects without sex (or in this case, unsexed tarantulas)

Stanley A. Schultz wrote: Now you have piqued my interest and I'm going to have to hunt up "Oleg Serkov's Epoch Symbol" just to see what it is.

Please do be careful! I am a cheap student that listens to free music :blush:

Thank you for all your input! I appreciate it very much

FriedPet wrote: ... I also thought about this today! His hormones is starting to kick in! Ah, the joys of puberty :woohoo: ...

As he/she/it climbs the glass try to get the best photos you can, face-on, and from the side in silhouette, especially of the belly part of the abdomen. Post them on this thread. Also, do you have a shed skin from a recent molt? I don't care how badly damaged it is, the parts we'd be looking for are heavily sclerotized and would not be damaged unless you rode over the shed with your car.

I tried to take pictures before, but I only have a blackberry, zoom not that great and doesn't have a macro function, thus pictures are bad. Will try to take pictures in the weekend. Also don't have a molt, it molted about 3-4 months ago, if not more, so it is probably time soon.