Avicularia Avicularia died for no apparent reason

[Chris LXXIX]

I think the problem was the cage had too much ventilation, especially on top, and there wasn't enough microclimate for a sling. Screen is not a good idea with tarantulas; terrestrials can rip right thru it, and with arboreals, it's often overused. An open top potentially exposes the spider to hot/cold vents, fumes, sprays, etc.

Poec54, those are the average enclosure that here in Europe we always used/use for 'Avics', without issues. Sometimes poop happens, that's all.

@hennibbale
Purtroppo sono situazioni che capitano, come ti ho detto. Scazza ma non puoi farci niente :-/

 

[Poec54]

Poec54, those are the average enclosure that here in Europe we always used/use for 'Avics', without issues. Sometimes poop happens, that's all.

@hennibbale
Purtroppo sono situazioni che capitano, come ti ho detto :-/

For a sling that size, I would expect problems in that cage. Too much screening, especially if an a/c vent is near it. Based on raising many Avic slings, I think a 16 oz deli cup would have been a much better choice until the sling had 2 or 3 more molts.

 

[hennibbale]

Well, even if it is more than 2"?

 

[Tarantula20]

Into Valhalla he/she goes!

 

[louise f]

those are the average enclosure that here in Europe we always used/use for 'Avics', without issues

My dear friend Christian my enclosures have ventilation in the front, and in the top same size vents. I dont have that mesh filled almost all the top. I think you can spot it in the vid I dont know if they look different in Italy though

+ I only use mine for the adult ones. Slings and juvies get this

 

[Poec54]

Well, even if it is more than 2"?

I wouldn't do that with an adult Avic. Where's the microclimate? The humidity from the water bowl goes right out the top and you have a very dry cage, subject to air movement by vents and fans making it even more so.

We've had many 'My Dead Avic' threads by members that are new to them. There's a balance between ventilation and humidity, too much of either is lethal. NW terrestrials are more forgiving, tolerating a wider range of dry and moist, and a better choice for beginners than Avics. Yes, some people have gotten it right on the first try, but a lot of Avics have died at the hands of well-intentioned people. For beginners to have a positive experience in this hobby, it's best to start with hardier, more 'fool proof' species and build a foundation of experience from that. The reason Avics get recommended as a first arboreal is because they don't have the speed and potent venom of the others, not because beginners have a high success rate with them.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

My dear friend Christian my enclosures have ventilation in the front, and in the top same size vents. I dont have that mesh filled almost all the top. I think you can spot it in the vid I dont know if they look different in Italy though

I use, more or less, one that is like yours, the one of your mating video (I'm not that much into arboreals, btw, as you know, save for genus Psalmopoeus... go figure 'Avics') pretty tall in size, for my P.cambridgei. I buy those in Germany. But I've noticed, in Poland, in Hungary and in other YT vids from European keepers, those enclosures hennibbale used.

 

[Abyss]

Examples of the arboreal sling enclosures i make/sell (and use for my own T's)

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• Abyss
• Aug 5, 2016
• 6

Substrate an water dish and my P. subfusca sp. highland are all in the enclosure and rehoused...

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• Abyss
• Jul 9, 2016
• 4

Thats what the clear plexi lids look like. I use the lip to secure it with hot glue an never had...

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• Abyss
• Jul 15, 2016

Just finished this pre-made sling enclosure :)

Other then the mesh, the big issue for an avic i see is the lack of foliage for anchor points. Check those pics, thats how i do it for T's that are .5" up to about 2.5"

 

[Poec54]

I'm not that much into arboreals, btw, as you know, save for genus Psalmopoeus.

Psalmos are a little more flexible in their requirements than Avics.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Psalmos are a little more flexible in their requirements than Avics.

I know well, man. And btw IMO better. I have said that I've seen 'Avics' housed in those kind of enclosures, prior.

 

[Blade122888]

Sorry for your loss!

 

[CEC]

Your enclosure is not the issue, this is where Poec54 and I butt heads, most of my collection are Avics are in something similar without issue. If you keep them well ventilated and hydrated most will survive to adulthood. As long as those requirements are met, there is not only one way to house them. Not all Avics are going to make it to adulthood, nor are any other genera.

Was your Avic. avic wild caught? That can add a lot more unknown factors to a Ts demise. Most LPS only carry wild caught. Along with poor husbandry, I have noticed a lot of specimens in these "my dead Avic" threads are wild caught.

 

[Poec54]

I have noticed a lot of specimens in these "my dead Avic" threads are wild caught.

Some are, but there's a good number of CBB Avic slings as the subject of those threads.

I don't know if I'd call it 'butting heads', but in a house with the furnace or a/c running, the air is very dry, and I think a cage with a screen top and dry substrate is going to be too dry for many species. In that situation, I'd periodically moisten the substrate to create some microclimate, but my preferred way is an emphasis on side ventilation and dry sub.

 

[hennibbale]

Some are, but there's a good number of CBB Avic slings as the subject of those threads.

I don't know if I'd call it 'butting heads', but in a house with the furnace or a/c running, the air is very dry, and I think a cage with a screen top and dry substrate is going to be too dry for many species. In that situation, I'd periodically moisten the substrate to create some microclimate, but my preferred way is an emphasis on side ventilation and dry sub.

I've never had any artificial climate changer.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Your enclosure is not the issue, this is where Poec54 and I butt heads, most of my collection are Avics are in something similar without issue. If you keep them well ventilated and hydrated most will survive to adulthood. As long as those requirements are met, there is not only one way to house them.

The truth.