amblypygi don't feeding

[elianabio]

Dears,
I'm new in the site. I ask you to help me. I have two Damon variegatus in my tank since 3 weeks. The tank has 26°deggre and 80% humidity constant. light used only during day (not in the night): askoll full moon (because of their being night animals). Since they are there (3 weeks ago) thet have never eat anything. Every 3-4 days I give them some cricket for one full day but they don't eat them. How can I feed them? Can you give me some advise? Probably they are a couple (male and female). Please help me.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

It is normal for well-fed amblypygi to go for weeks without eating. In particular, after being housed in a new environment, it can take a while to settle in, and they may be too stressed out to eat during this time. As long as the environment is correct and they have enough moisture, they will eat when they are hungry.

In the meantime, the best thing you can do is leave them alone as much as possible to get settled in, keep the substrate nice and moist, and continue offering prey every week or so until they decide to eat. I'd also suggest blocking off a good portion of that mesh on top - it will be a lot easier to maintain the moisture levels they need in a fairly steady state if you're not constantly losing it to evaporation.

 

[elianabio]

Perfect! Thank you for all your very precious suggestion. They are in a semi-shadow zone in the house, only with the full moon lamp during day. Do you think that is there enough light for them? thank you again.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

Perfect! Thank you for all your very precious suggestion. They are in a semi-shadow zone in the house, only with the full moon lamp during day. Do you think that is there enough light for them? thank you again.

They do not have any particular light requirements.

I just realized - you’re keeping these together in the same enclosure? This comes with a very high risk of cannibalism.

 

[elianabio]

They live togheter, in a 30 x 30 x 40 cm enclosure. they are about 4 cm big (only body part). Do you think they have this risk?

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

Whenever you put predators in a cage together there is a risk that one will kill the other. Damon have been found living in close proximity as adults in the wild, but experience in this community has shown that cannibalism is common. My advice would be to separate them.

 

[elianabio]

You’re so right!!!!!!!! If I keep them separately how can I learn and understand when is the right period or day to keep them togheter for their reproduction?

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

I have not bred amblypygi personally, but my understanding is that typically they are introduced only when both are well fed and the female is definitely not close to a moult. They are observed carefully during the introduction and courtship for signs that they are getting along, and the male is removed after the female has accepted the spermatophore.

In general, before trying to breed any animal, it is best to understand its care and needs as an individual.

 

[Edan bandoot]

I didnt reply to this because I thought someone else would.

But nobody has said to get rid of the light yet. They're photo sensitive, so all the light does is make them less visible/active while it's on.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

I didnt reply to this because I thought someone else would.

But nobody has said to get rid of the light yet. They're photo sensitive, so all the light does is make them less visible/active while it's on.

Eh, I don’t think a moonlight bulb is going to have a huge effect, though clearly it’s completely unnecessary. Mine are never in complete darkness because I have Christmas lights around my ceiling that stay on all night. Doesn’t seem to bother them when it’s that dim.

Daytime lighting is of course 100% pointless but it won’t hurt them, just ensure they aren’t out in the open.

 

[Edan bandoot]

Eh, I don’t think a moonlight bulb is going to have a huge effect, though clearly it’s completely unnecessary. Mine are never in complete darkness because I have Christmas lights around my ceiling that stay on all night. Doesn’t seem to bother them when it’s that dim.

Daytime lighting is of course 100% pointless but it won’t hurt them, just ensure they aren’t out in the open.

Maybe they acclimate to higher light overtime, mine aren't active unless kept in completely darkness.