Advice on G. pulchra sling

[Snowy Snowman]

I recently ordered a G. pulchra sling after doing quite a bit of research on the matter. However, I have heard differing opinions on how often to mist the enclosure. Keep in mind this is a 1/2" sling, and I plan to put it in a 16oz deli cup. I know that they will need a water dish in the future, but in the meanwhile they need droplets, or so I've heard. I just need some advice on how often to lightly mist the sides (or not at all).

 

[antinous]

If it's a 1/2" sling, it would be better off in a condiment container then be transferred to a deli cup after a molt or two, but it can still be kept in a deli cup. You can give and should give them a water dish now for them not only to drink out of, but to keep humidity up since it is still a small sling. Other than that, since it is small right now and is prone to desiccation, keep half of the sub moist in the enclosure and put the water dish in the other half. And only 'mist' the substrate once it starts drying out, I mist one side and when that starts drying out, I'll 'mist' the other. And by 'misting' I mean actually getting the sub moist by heavily misting.

 

[Snowy Snowman]

If it's a 1/2" sling, it would be better off in a condiment container then be transferred to a deli cup after a molt or two, but it can still be kept in a deli cup. You can give and should give them a water dish now for them not only to drink out of, but to keep humidity up since it is still a small sling. Other than that, since it is small right now and is prone to desiccation, keep half of the sub moist in the enclosure and put the water dish in the other half. And only 'mist' the substrate once it starts drying out, I mist one side and when that starts drying out, I'll 'mist' the other. And by 'misting' I mean actually getting the sub moist by heavily misting.

Thanks so much!

 

[AngelDeVille]

My 1” is in a 4oz deli/Tupperware container.

Just wet one side of the substrate twice a week, and she’s eating like a piggy and just molted again today.

 

[Snowy Snowman]

So, I've ordered a G. pulchra 1/2" sling. I have a 10gal for when it's an adult, but that's very far in the future. I have a small Kritter Keeper for juvie stage, and then a deli cup for large sling stage. So far, I've received some advice to keep it in a 4oz condiment cup, and that appears to be what I'm going to do. I need advice on what to put in the condiment cup. I plan to make a starter burrow, but what should I add as a source of water? Sphagnum moss is not available rn. Also, on a side note, should I wet a half of the substrate at this stage? I've heard it might be beneficial.

 

[antinous]

So, I've ordered a G. pulchra 1/2" sling. I have a 10gal for when it's an adult, but that's very far in the future. I have a small Kritter Keeper for juvie stage, and then a deli cup for large sling stage. So far, I've received some advice to keep it in a 4oz condiment cup, and that appears to be what I'm going to do. I need advice on what to put in the condiment cup. I plan to make a starter burrow, but what should I add as a source of water? Sphagnum moss is not available rn. Also, on a side note, should I wet a half of the substrate at this stage? I've heard it might be beneficial.

Substrate and a small artificial leaf for it to use as a hide. Try getting some sphagnum moss if you can since it'll increase the humidity and it collects water droplets pretty easily. As for a water source just mist the side a little. I'm guessing you heard that last part from me, I do wet half the substrate for my arid slings, it's what I do and it has worked for me, others wet all of the sub.

 

[spookyvibes]

I need advice on what to put in the condiment cup.

Substrate. Slings usually adopt the whole cup as a hide, so decorations/hides aren’t really a must imo.

I plan to make a starter burrow, but what should I add as a source of water?

Wet half the substrate, it should be able to drink from that.

should I wet a half of the substrate at this stage?

That’s what I do for all my slings until they grow big enough to be in an enclosure that could fit a waterdish.

 

[Theneil]

So, I've ordered a G. pulchra 1/2" sling. I have a 10gal for when it's an adult, but that's very far in the future. I have a small Kritter Keeper for juvie stage, and then a deli cup for large sling stage. So far, I've received some advice to keep it in a 4oz condiment cup, and that appears to be what I'm going to do. I need advice on what to put in the condiment cup. I plan to make a starter burrow, but what should I add as a source of water? Sphagnum moss is not available rn. Also, on a side note, should I wet a half of the substrate at this stage? I've heard it might be beneficial.

A fake plant/small coork bark/bortlecap with a notvh cut out can all be ised as hides for a small sling.

That said, many on here recomend not providing a hide or enough substrate to make a deep burrow to encourage better feeding and faster growth.

 

[Snowy Snowman]

(Sorry for the frequency of posts)

I live in a cold climate, and in wintertime it tends to get quite bone-dry in terms of humidity with the heating system and all. I have a sling on the way which is going to be housed in a 4oz condiment cup, and I'll wet half the substrate. I also plan to keep it in a microclimate, a 10 gallon aquarium where I'll place the condiment cup. Should the humidity sort itself out, as the wet substrate dries? Or will I have to do something different?

 

[fleetwoodmcc]

Humdity is not an important measurement for tarantula. A sling, which is more vulnerable to dessication in dry climates, isn't going to dessicate if there's water available. Wetting half the substrate for a g. pulchra may be too much, even. A tarantula derives its water from basically two sources... its prey and drinking. A sling without waxy coating is indeed more vulnerable, but I think you're overthinking it a bit much. Yes, things dry out the winter months- refill the dish more frequently and you'll be good to go, from my experience.

EDIT: duh, my bad, you aren't going to put a dish in there. thats fine, wet half the sub- you'll be able to tell dry sub from wet sub really easily and can just eye test when its dried out.

 

[Snowy Snowman]

Humdity is not an important measurement for tarantula. A sling, which is more vulnerable to dessication in dry climates, isn't going to dessicate if there's water available. Wetting half the substrate for a g. pulchra may be too much, even. A tarantula derives its water from basically two sources... its prey and drinking. A sling without waxy coating is indeed more vulnerable, but I think you're overthinking it a bit much. Yes, things dry out the winter months- refill the dish more frequently and you'll be good to go, from my experience.

EDIT: duh, my bad, you aren't going to put a dish in there. thats fine, wet half the sub- you'll be able to tell dry sub from wet sub really easily and can just eye test when its dried out.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Dovey]

I think the microclimate is a very good idea. It will make it easier to keep a steady temperature as well as providing some moisture that may be needed in the dryer months. Just make sure that your sling's habitat has good ventilation.

 

[Dovey]

A traditional 10-gallon aquarium is way too big for your spider, even as an adult. The problem comes from the extreme height of a standard 10 gallon. I keep my adults, including my pulcra, in habitats the size of a shoe box or a shirt box with a little more height on it. The only spiders I have big enough for a 10 gallon are my mature male Laziadora parahybana and my adult female Nandu tripepii, and they are BIG. And I mean stuff of nightmares big. Your pulcra will get bulky, but never that kind of size.

 

[Dovey]

I would highly recommend going to a smaller container for a sling this size. You've no idea how small a half-inch sling is until it comes out of its little vial and you think "my God, how am I going to take care of this tiny little creature?!" It blows my mind that they come even smaller than a half inch! Anyway, my sling is just a little bit over an inch and still living in a jelly jar which is about the size of a condiment cup. I would recommend keeping them in the smaller habitat. That way you don't have to worry about them being able to find their food. Your sling will probably tunnel as well, so don't put too much substrate in. Maybe half the container. Leave some room for it to remove dirt and create little hills if it wants to.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

You already said that sphagnum moss isn't an option so just moisten half of the substrate and you'll be good.

 

[Teal]

As others said, a condiment cup with partially moistened substrate will work just fine

A traditional 10-gallon aquarium is way too big for your spider, even as an adult. The problem comes from the extreme height of a standard 10 gallon. I keep my adults, including my pulcra, in habitats the size of a shoe box or a shirt box with a little more height on it. The only spiders I have big enough for a 10 gallon are my mature male Laziadora parahybana and my adult female Nandu tripepii, and they are BIG. And I mean stuff of nightmares big. Your pulcra will get bulky, but never that kind of size.

We have our adult female B. auratum in a standard 10g... we just filled it 2/3rds up with substrate to make the height appropriate.

Just make sure that your sling's habitat has good ventilation.

This is really important. Moist, stagnant air will kill a spider pretty quickly.

 

[Aleetist]

(Sorry for the frequency of posts)

I live in a cold climate, and in wintertime it tends to get quite bone-dry in terms of humidity with the heating system and all. I have a sling on the way which is going to be housed in a 4oz condiment cup, and I'll wet half the substrate. I also plan to keep it in a microclimate, a 10 gallon aquarium where I'll place the condiment cup. Should the humidity sort itself out, as the wet substrate dries? Or will I have to do something different?

I know others have done what you are doing. You could also put it's enclosure in a tote (with no ventilation holes) and like a cup of water (making sure the individual enclosure(s) have ventilation). I will be using this method for my slings when winter hits here since our heater runs pretty much 24/7 to keep it a nice temp for pets. This allows for humidity to remain without getting species that might like it a little drier too wet

 

[Snowy Snowman]

I think the microclimate is a very good idea. It will make it easier to keep a steady temperature as well as providing some moisture that may be needed in the dryer months. Just make sure that your sling's habitat has good ventilation.

I'll definitely get some side ventilation going on!

You already said that sphagnum moss isn't an option so just moisten half of the substrate and you'll be good.

View attachment 287670

Thanks for the advice! I love Arachnoboards.

A traditional 10-gallon aquarium is way too big for your spider, even as an adult. The problem comes from the extreme height of a standard 10 gallon. I keep my adults, including my pulcra, in habitats the size of a shoe box or a shirt box with a little more height on it. The only spiders I have big enough for a 10 gallon are my mature male Laziadora parahybana and my adult female Nandu tripepii, and they are BIG. And I mean stuff of nightmares big. Your pulcra will get bulky, but never that kind of size.

I think I'll fill it up with some Eco Earth a little bit more so there's no chance of a hemorrhage, and put a bunch of hides so it feels alright

 

[antinous]

I think I'll fill it up with some Eco Earth a little bit more so there's no chance of a hemorrhage, and put a bunch of hides so it feels alright

An appropriately sized Sterilite tub with ventilation holes would be better, and cheaper!

 

[PidderPeets]

I can only get into this a little bit because I'm about to start work, but hopefully others will chime in or I can just elaborate more later. Do not worry about humidity. For any tarantula of any stage. Humidity is an incorrect term that shouldn't be used and only confuses things for new keepers such as yourself. Substrate moisture is what matters. When people mention "humidity", substrate moisture is what they're talking about. Trying to focus on humidity will just result in restricting ventilation and putting your sling at risk.

New world slings do just fine in a deli cup with slightly moist substrate on one side and ventilation. That's all there is to it