First T... Curly hair

[Ungoliant]

Okay so for my Avic sling coming and my b albo the coco fiber is okay?

Yeah. The Avic will spend little or no time on the substrate, and Brachypelma albopilosum is not an obligate burrower, though slings may burrow a bit.

 

[cold blood]

Okay so for my Avic sling coming and my b albo the coco fiber is okay?

Any of the acceptable substrates are fine for any species...its really a matter of personal preference.

coco fiber, eco earth, jungle mix, peat moss, top soil, etc.....or any combination of them.

 

[Thekla]

I prefer a coco fiber/top soil (or other additive-free soil) mix for Ts that might like to burrow. My B. albo juvie has a fairly deep burrow, and I just think the whole thing is more sturdy with that kind of substrate.

 

[mazzzz]

Cool thanks... Even though the Brachypelma albopilosum isn't normally a burrower will the sling be alright in pure coco fiber?

 

[mazzzz]

Any of the acceptable substrates are fine for any species...its really a matter of personal preference.

coco fiber, eco earth, jungle mix, peat moss, top soil, etc.....or any combination of them.

Okay thank you

 

[Ungoliant]

Even though the Brachypelma albopilosum isn't normally a burrower will the sling be alright in pure coco fiber?

Yes, but if you're really worried, you can get a large bag of plain topsoil for about $5 to mix with coco fiber. (Just check the ingredients to make sure it doesn't include pesticides, fungicides, or fertilizers.)

 

[mazzzz]

Yes, but if you're really worried, you can get a large bag of plain topsoil for about $5 to mix with coco fiber. (Just check the ingredients to make sure it doesn't include pesticides, fungicides, or fertilizers.)

Cool thanks

 

[mazzzz]

I really appreciate how helpful you all have been!!

 

[The Grym Reaper]

I use coco fiber as my substrate.. is that fine or is there something better than can be used, because a lot of the photos i see on here the substrate looks darker

Substrate choice is down to personal preference, some people swear by coco fibre whereas I can only use it as part of a mix with sedge peat or it moulds like crazy. Feel free to see what works best for you.

Acceptable substrates are:

- Coco fibre.
- Topsoil (The stuff for filling holes or lawn renewal, you literally want the cheapest stuff you can find, shouldn't cost more than $2 for a 40lb bag).
- Sphagnum peat moss (make sure it has no additives, is slightly acidic which inhibits mould growth, doesn't harm Ts though).
- Sedge peat (like sphagnum peat moss but black in colour and slightly less acidic).
- Fine vermiculite (not technically a substrate in itself, this is an additive that helps with water retention and substrate aeration, this is best used in a mix for moisture dependent burrowing species).

You can mix any of these together to achieve a desired look/effect.

 

[mazzzz]

Substrate choice is down to personal preference, some people swear by coco fibre whereas I can only use it as part of a mix with sedge peat or it moulds like crazy. Feel free to see what works best for you.

Acceptable substrates are:

- Coco fibre.
- Topsoil (The stuff for filling holes or lawn renewal, you literally want the cheapest stuff you can find, shouldn't cost more than $2 for a 40lb bag).
- Sphagnum peat moss (make sure it has no additives, is slightly acidic which inhibits mould growth, doesn't harm Ts though).
- Sedge peat (like sphagnum peat moss but black in colour and slightly less acidic).
- Fine vermiculite (not technically a substrate in itself, this is an additive that helps with water retention and substrate aeration, this is best used in a mix for moisture dependent burrowing species).

You can mix any of these together to achieve a desired look/effect.

Cool thanks

 

[mazzzz]

Okay so just got and housed my curly hair sling and i fed him/her a little cricket last night I'm looking in the enclosure now and I do not see the cricket but the T looks like it has filled in the entrance to its hide. Should I open it up and see if the cricket is still in there with him/her or just leave it be cause it might be going into pre-molt??? Help!!!

 

[cold blood]

If it sealed its self in with a cricket, its because the cricket is being consumed.


Do nothing.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Pure coco fiber is fine unless you have a fossorial species (obligate burrower), as pure coco fiber won't support much of a burrow.

Eh

This is the main entrance of a pure coco fiber (with only just a two good 'tea spoon' of fine grain vermiculite - but that's addictive for moisture only) burrow, and it's pretty long and solid

 

[mazzzz]

If it sealed its self in with a cricket, its because the cricket is being consumed.


Do nothing.

Okay thats kinda what i expected, was just a bit worried. I was gonna try and feed him/her again tomorrow or monday. Should I feed either a live or dead? Or should I wait because it sealed itself in? Thanks.

 

[Ungoliant]

Okay thats kinda what i expected, was just a bit worried. I was gonna try and feed him/her again tomorrow or monday. Should I feed either a live or dead? Or should I wait because it sealed itself in? Thanks.

Wait until it's not sealed in.

If it's taking live prey, I would continue to offer live prey. (Just be sure to crush the heads of mealworms and superworms to prevent them from burrowing or biting your tarantula.)

 

[mazzzz]

Wait until it's not sealed in.

If it's taking live prey, I would continue to offer live prey. (Just be sure to crush the heads of mealworms and superworms to prevent them from burrowing or biting your tarantula.)

Sorry just a bit confused by this, your saying wait until the t comes out again to try and feed it and once I do feed it again feed it live prey?

 

[mazzzz]

Also I was thinking about rehousing the curly hair sling into something a bit smaller than what she's in because I think it is to big... should I just do it or wait just in case she has already gone into pre-molt.

 

[Thekla]

Also I was thinking about rehousing the curly hair sling into something a bit smaller than what she's in because I think it is to big... should I just do it or wait just in case she has already gone into pre-molt.

If your T is still in the last container you showed us, I wouldn't rehouse her. IME that size is fine. Or did you get another one? Because your B. albo is definitely not a sling anymore.

You said she sealed herself in, yes? Then just leave her be! Make sure the water dish is always full, keep a part/corner of the enclosure slightly moist... and that's it! You need to be patient. I had to learn that myself. My B. albo burried itself away right after I got it, and stayed there for 2 months. Now (s)he is out all the time and exploring its enclosure and eating like a champ.

Honestly, get yourself a couple more Ts to distract yourself from worrying too much.

 

[Ungoliant]

Sorry just a bit confused by this, your saying wait until the t comes out again to try and feed it and once I do feed it again feed it live prey?

Correct.

 

[mazzzz]

Correct.

Cool thanks