Assistance with New Terrestrial T.

[thedanielames]

I purchased my first terrestrial T. (B. auratum) this past weekend from a reputable local exotic shop that I’m fortunate to live next to and I purchased my first arboreal T. from a few weeks back. I was told this new T. is ¼” and they did not have enclosures that could safely hold this size and instead I should keep it in the vial that they were sold in, however that leads to the first of my two questions:

1) These small, white balls are on the surface on the substrate (see image) and I’m wondering if anyone has a clue to what they are? I thought either perlite for moisture -or- worse case a fungus or mold? If it is a fungus or mold, I should definitely switch it into a new vial ASAP, correct?

2) I use a small pipette to drip water into the enclosure, but how often should I do this for a sling this size since both they and the enclosure is too small for a water dish? With my arboreal I have a dish I overflow twice a week and I drip a few drops on their web at the same time.

Thank you to everyone for your time and assistance.

 

[SpookySpooder]

Too much moisture and lack of ventilation, that is a saprophytic fungus.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I prefer condiment cups for slings that size. Whatever you do, add more ventilation.

Too much moisture and lack of ventilation, that is a saprophytic fungus.

thats some serious fungus growth !!!

 

[Charliemum]

Get a new deli or vile put alot of ventilation in it with some new sub and some sphagnum moss maybe cork bark if you can fit it n move little one out ASAP that stuff isn't good for your little one and the fact little one is sitting on it isn't great either .

As for watering in the new enclosure you want the top layer of sub to be dry but moisture in the bottom layers, watch the line at the side as it drys out and when you notice it getting low use your pipette to squirt some more water down the side , infact hang on ...

Can't go wrong with Tom's stuff , have a watch and if you have questions you know where we are or Tom also answers in the comments but it can take him a bit to get bk as he is a teacher gl

 

[viper69]

You have a fungus- too moist in there lack of proper ventilation

 

[Smotzer]

Rehouse it into something like a 4-5oz deli cup , at least that's the size I prefer. You should be able to add an appropriate size water dish. You are probably adding moisture too regularly with not enough ventilation, and what also looks like very little substate. Also you never want to add water into an enclosure on a schedule or routine.

 

[thedanielames]

Also you never want to add water into an enclosure on a schedule or routine.

Why wouldn't you want to add water on a schedule? Just curious.

Also, just for clarification, I just got this little one from the shop like two days ago and only dropped like three droplets of water on Sunday evening. I haven't had the opportunity to do much husbandry with them yet, but noticed what y'all are saying is fungus and figured I'd come right to ya'll to ask. I really appreciate everyone's help; I'm going to locate and switch to a new container with better ventilation today ASAP.

Any suggestions on easy ways to move this sling from the old enclosure to a new one? I'm new to the hobby and most slings I've encountered are wrapped in paper towels and easier to relocate than this T. who is loose in this icky enclosure.

 

[Charliemum]

Why wouldn't you want to add water on a schedule? Just curious.

Also, just for clarification, I just got this little one from the shop like two days ago and only dropped like three droplets of water on Sunday evening. I haven't had the opportunity to do much husbandry with them yet, but noticed what y'all are saying is fungus and figured I'd come right to ya'll to ask. I really appreciate everyone's help; I'm going to locate and switch to a new container with better ventilation today ASAP.

Any suggestions on easy ways to move this sling from the old enclosure to a new one? I'm new to the hobby and most slings I've encountered are wrapped in paper towels and easier to relocate than this T. who is loose in this icky enclosure.

Try finding a small vile you can use to cup the little one then card underneath n move or you can try tipping the old enclosure over the edge of the new and gently coax little one into the new viv with a soft paintbrush.

I think the don't schedule watering is because everyday there is a flux in temp and humidity in the natural air this will sometimes make water evaporate quicker sometimes slower so if you put say 10ml of water in every 2 days there is no guarantee that that will evaporate over those 2 days till you put the next 10ml in and so you end up with a damp mouldy environment that can kill you little one. So it is better to judge by eye rather then stick to a strick schedule..... I hope I explained that right lol.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

I purchased my first terrestrial T. (B. auratum) this past weekend from a reputable local exotic shop that I’m fortunate to live next to and I purchased my first arboreal T. from a few weeks back. I was told this new T. is ¼” and they did not have enclosures that could safely hold this size and instead I should keep it in the vial that they were sold in, however that leads to the first of my two questions:

1) These small, white balls are on the surface on the substrate (see image) and I’m wondering if anyone has a clue to what they are? I thought either perlite for moisture -or- worse case a fungus or mold? If it is a fungus or mold, I should definitely switch it into a new vial ASAP, correct?

2) I use a small pipette to drip water into the enclosure, but how often should I do this for a sling this size since both they and the enclosure is too small for a water dish? With my arboreal I have a dish I overflow twice a week and I drip a few drops on their web at the same time.

Thank you to everyone for your time and assistance.

View attachment 466031

I keep 1/16 up to 1/8 of an inch slings in 1 oz deli cups. I just moved my D. rufoniger to a 2 oz deli cup as it's 1/4 now. You can find these deli cups on Amazon. I never had any luck finding deli cups in any store.

 

[SpookySpooder]

@thedanielames

If you wanted directions that's all you had to say.

There are many ways to solve this issue, but here is what I would do.

1. Remove the sling to a temporary container, it can be any size as long as it cannot escape and you can easily move it later. Don't put it into something like a water bottle that you can't access later.

2. Once the sling has been removed, you have two options with the substrate. You can dump the entire thing and replace it, or try to sterilize and dry it. IMO, total replacement is the fastest way to clear the moisture and fungus/spores.

OR

Alternatively, if for some reason you don't have a handful of spare substrate or feel like doing things the hard way... you can remove the substrate from the vial, clean the vial with hot water and soap, and bake the substrate on a piece of aluminum foil in the oven. 220° for 15 minutes should be enough to kill anything living in the substrate.

If you use the oven, make sure not to burn anything.

3. ADD VENTILATION TO THE VIAL!

4. Add only a little bit of water to your dry susbtrate, enough that when you squeeze the substrate tightly in your fist, it feels wet but no water drops come out. That is the ideal dampness you want to start with.

5. Put the sling back in, and only add water as you see the surface dry out. If the sling wants to access more moisture, it can burrow down to where the substrate is still moist.

Watering or feeding on a schedule is something nobody will reccomend. You need to learn to gauge how long it takes your substrate to dry out and how moist it should be for each species, and when to feed based on the abdomen size of your sling.

Good luck.

 

[cold blood]

Why wouldn't you want to add water on a schedule? Just curious.

Because thats a recipe for a salamander enclosure.

All enclosures, homes and climates are different, so there is and never could be any watering schedule that could be used across the board.

Instead, add water on an as needed basis...water, wait for it to dry, and when it is, thats when you re-apply water.

I prefer condiment cups for slings that size. Whatever you do, add more ventilation.

Agreed, a condiment cup is far superior...but honestly, while some ventilation is certainly important, you dont want or need a whole lot...3 or 4 pin holes on the sides and another 4 on the lid and youre set.

 

[Mirandarachnid]

Any suggestions on easy ways to move this sling from the old enclosure to a new one? I'm new to the hobby and most slings I've encountered are wrapped in paper towels and easier to relocate than this T. who is loose in this icky enclosure.

Tilt the old enclosure into the new one and gently herd it in with a soft, clean paintbrush.