Avicularia metallica, the Metallic Pink Toe (communal set up + questions)

[JayGrizzly]

I just purchesed 6 pink toe slings today from a local pet shop (http://reptilestore.ca/)..

I currently have them all togethor and am planning to leave them that way. I have a few questions that I could not find the answers for online...

1.) How fast do they grow? How often between molts?

2.) I have heard of communal setp ups of this T but not scene any.. Is this a good T to try it with or should I scrap the idea and try it with a differnt type?

3.) I have a large exo terra that they will be placed in. It has 2 doors on the front. Is it going to be hell trying to feed them/ clean the cage with this style cage? Should I modify the top of the cage with extra openings or will the standard cage be fine?

4.) with this cage is the T's webbing going to be an issue with the 2 doors that it has?


If any one has some info that would help me in regards to communal set ups please share... thanks in advance.

 

[Storm76]

Just answering a few things here:

Communal setup:
If I'd be you, I'd scrap that idea. There are a few T's out there with which that is possible (for example I've heard of H. incei, M. balfouri or some Poecis although I wouldn't do either personally), but Avics are not on that list as far as I am aware. You would have to be prepared for losses due to cannibalism.

ExoTerras:
This is a personal thing, but as I wrote in another thread already, those are the -worst- tanks ever to get for a T in my opionion. The reason are simple: That metal mesh on the top can cause injuries to your T when they try to climb on it and get stuck (happened often and I've read quite some threads where the T's lost a leg or the keeper got bitten trying to free the T, both is something no T keeper wants) and the other point is that due to that metal mesh, it's hard to keep the humidity level in the tank high enough, especially for Avics or any other T needing high humidity. If I'd be you - give it back and buy some normal glass tanks or even better - use the one from tarantulacages.com for your avics (just ordered some myself actually)!

Webbing:
Avics usually web close to the top, even more so when there's some kind of light. They tend to use the warmest spot in the top of the cages. So any door that just opens from the front will be fine and won't destroy the webbing usually.


Growth:
Depends partly on a) warmth and b) food supply. This subject has been discussed in many threads here actually. Some people tend to "power-feed" their slings so to get them over the most critical times in the T's life. Meaning instead of feeding them once per 2 weeks, they do so once per week or even more often. Holding them warmer like usually also speeds up their metabolism and hence their growth-rate. The usual "feed once per 2 weeks" is preferred by most, though.

EDIT:
I forgot to add, a huge tank for slings most likely will not do any good anyways as they probably won't find their food or YOU can't find them because of their size Slings are best held seperately in containers sized accordingly to their size.

 

[Quazgar]

I agree with most of what Storm said. Avics aren't very communal. The people who have been even somewhat successful have had them set up with an overabundance of room so they can all stay away from each other. They don't coexist peacefully if kept close like true communal species (such as H. incei) will.

Also, tiny slings in a huge cage are going to be extremely difficult to ensure they are getting fed.

 

[Chris_Skeleton]

Avicularia are NOT communal.

 

[suzypike]

Avicularia are NOT communal.

+1

If you are going to use a tank that large, I would put 1 adult A. metallica or other large avic, or another large tarantula like a P. rufilata, or C. schiodtei in it. That tank is going to be too large for anything except for an adult.

 

[advan]

ExoTerras
This is a personal thing, but as I wrote in another thread already, those are the -worst- tanks ever to get for a T in my opinion. The reason are simple: That metal mesh on the top can cause injuries to your T when they try to climb on it and get stuck (happened often and I've read quite some threads where the T's lost a leg or the keeper got bitten trying to free the T, both is something no T keeper wants) and the other point is that due to that metal mesh, it's hard to keep the humidity level in the tank high enough, especially for Avics or any other T needing high humidity. If I'd be you - give it back and buy some normal glass tanks or even better - use the one from tarantulacages.com for your avics (just ordered some myself actually)!

I would have to disagree with this. The "nano" series is perfect size for many arboreals. You can replace the mesh top with acrylic and it will solve your worries about injury and keeping the humidity up. I love them because I can access the enclosure from the top and side.

OP: Most* Avicularia are not a good communal. They will tolerate each other but eventually it will turn for the worst. Just separate them and enjoy but they're your spiders.


*Goterps chimed in a thread like this recently and said he has had success with A. minatrix

 

[suzypike]

I would have to disagree with this. The "nano" series is perfect size for many arboreals. You can replace the mesh top with acrylic and it will solve your worries about injury and keeping the humidity up. I love them because I can access the enclosure from the top and side.

OP: Most* Avicularia are not a good communal. They will tolerate each other but eventually it will turn for the worst. Just separate them and enjoy but they're your spiders.


*Goterps chimed in a thread like this recently and said he has had success with A. minatrix

I agree with Advan- I LOVE the Nano tall for arboreals. I have 4 of them set up with juvie/sub-adult arboreals in them and have had zero problems.
But if it is a large Exo-tera it will be too large for a sling or juvie.

 

[JayGrizzly]

Thanks for the replys so far...

To clear up a few things I do not have the slings in the exo terra and do not plan to add them until they are much larger. They are all currently togethor in a deli container. According to a few websites like wiwpedia it says that this species can be kept communally with little or no cannibalism. I am prepaired and not worried for a few deaths if they do happen.

@Storm76 - thanks for the infos

ExoTerras:
This is a personal thing, but as I wrote in another thread already, those are the -worst- tanks ever to get for a T in my opionion. The reason are simple: That metal mesh on the top can cause injuries to your T when they try to climb on it and get stuck (happened often and I've read quite some threads where the T's lost a leg or the keeper got bitten trying to free the T, both is something no T keeper wants) and the other point is that due to that metal mesh, it's hard to keep the humidity level in the tank high enough, especially for Avics or any other T needing high humidity. If I'd be you - give it back and buy some normal glass tanks or even better - use the one from tarantulacages.com for your avics (just ordered some myself actually)!

Good to know about the top of the cage. I was planning to attach a piece of acrylic to the mesh top to keep humidity levels up. Ive heard of people not likeing the exoterra cages but I want this to be a display cage and I personaly think that the exo terra cages are the best looking out there plus I cant go with a custom acrylic set up due to how my apartment is set up and having an overagresive unclawed cat who is intrested in trying to play with anything.

Growth:
Depends partly on a) warmth and b) food supply. This subject has been discussed in many threads here actually. Some people tend to "power-feed" their slings so to get them over the most critical times in the T's life. Meaning instead of feeding them once per 2 weeks, they do so once per week or even more often. Holding them warmer like usually also speeds up their metabolism and hence their growth-rate. The usual "feed once per 2 weeks" is preferred by most, though.

Thats some good information to know but does any one know generaly know the speed at which they grow? Or how often do they molt(every 2 months,3?)?

 

[BrettG]

Wikipedia is the last place I would trust for spider related info.As far as growth rates,well that depends on factors such as temp and feeding schedule.

 

[jayefbe]

2.) I have heard of communal setp ups of this T but not scene any.. Is this a good T to try it with or should I scrap the idea and try it with a differnt type?

Just to agree with what everyone else said, yes, I would scrap the idea unless you'd really prefer a single A. metallica. If you really want a communal enclosure, start with a communal species.

They are all currently togethor in a deli container. According to a few websites like wiwpedia it says that this species can be kept communally with little or no cannibalism. I am prepaired and not worried for a few deaths if they do happen.

A few deaths? How many are you prepared for? 3, 4, 5? If you're seeing a "few" deaths, that's a pretty significant indicator that the communal experiment is not working. Also, you should probably discard the majority of sources for tarantula information (wikipedia, "care" sheets, pet stores, etc). Basically, this forum (and a few others) and a few books (Tarantula Keeper's Guide in particular) are the best and most easily accessible resources. Use them, don't use something else just because it says what you want to hear.

 

[Storm76]

I would have to disagree with this. The "nano" series is perfect size for many arboreals. You can replace the mesh top with acrylic and it will solve your worries about injury and keeping the humidity up. I love them because I can access the enclosure from the top and side.

OP: Most* Avicularia are not a good communal. They will tolerate each other but eventually it will turn for the worst. Just separate them and enjoy but they're your spiders.


*Goterps chimed in a thread like this recently and said he has had success with A. minatrix

If you customize the cage, I'm sure it works fine. I was talking about the "factory condition" though

 

[Chris_Skeleton]

Wikipedia, really? :wall:

Hang on, let me go edit it. In case you didn't know, anyone can edit Wikipedia articles, and that doesn't mean anyone even has any knowledge on what they are editing.

If Wikipedia is clearly so accurate, why did you bother asking here? We've told you it's a bad idea.

 

[Jared781]

I just purchesed 6 pink toe slings today from a local pet shop (http://reptilestore.ca/)..

I currently have them all togethor and am planning to leave them that way. I have a few questions that I could not find the answers for online...

1.) How fast do they grow? How often between molts?

2.) I have heard of communal setp ups of this T but not scene any.. Is this a good T to try it with or should I scrap the idea and try it with a differnt type?

3.) I have a large exo terra that they will be placed in. It has 2 doors on the front. Is it going to be hell trying to feed them/ clean the cage with this style cage? Should I modify the top of the cage with extra openings or will the standard cage be fine?

4.) with this cage is the T's webbing going to be an issue with the 2 doors that it has?


If any one has some info that would help me in regards to communal set ups please share... thanks in advance.

i was going to order a Pink toe from these guys but i wasnt sure if they were legit or not!
so thanks for clearing that up, and for some reason iv always wanted to house 10 Avics together

 

[matt82]

+1 on arrylic top custom Exo Terras!!
To the OP: with the SMALLEST amount of modification, they're great! I use some Exos, and simply remove the mesh (very easily done, as the mesh is held in place by a rubber strip, not glued) and replace with a square of 3mm acrylic. This can be ventilated to your needs. If you remove the mesh properly, you are also left with 2 nice pieces of steel mesh, with can be used to make some nice custom vents on other enclosures!

PS I agree with all of the rest of your post Storm, to the best of my understanding on the subject, but just said I would give my opinion on Exo Terras!!

 

[JayGrizzly]

i was going to order a Pink toe from these guys but i wasnt sure if they were legit or not!
so thanks for clearing that up, and for some reason iv always wanted to house 10 Avics together

Yes they are legit.. good place to get pets from and i always bargin with them and they give me good deals.. I ended up paying 14$ per pink toe. They have given me great deals in the past too.



As far as every one saying not to house these spiders togethor does any one here have "PERSONAL" experiance with trying to house multiple pink toes togethor? The more I look into it on the internet there is more text out there that states that they can be kept togethor with little to no cannibalism. Befor I get more nagitive feed back I am fully aware that not every thing you read on the internet is true and the same goes for posts on these forums. The world is filled with miss leading information. I am also aware that T's are opportunistic feeders and that they may eat each other.

Can any one give me some links to people trying to house these spiders communaly? Does any one have strong proof they this will never work and that I will be left with just 1 T in the future?

 

[advan]

Yes they are legit.. good place to get pets from and i always bargin with them and they give me good deals.. I ended up paying 14$ per pink toe. They have given me great deals in the past too.



As far as every one saying not to house these spiders togethor does any one here have "PERSONAL" experiance with trying to house multiple pink toes togethor? The more I look into it on the internet there is more text out there that states that they can be kept togethor with little to no cannibalism. Befor I get more nagitive feed back I am fully aware that not every thing you read on the internet is true and the same goes for posts on these forums. The world is filled with miss leading information. I am also aware that T's are opportunistic feeders and that they may eat each other.

Can any one give me some links to people trying to house these spiders communaly? Does any one have strong proof they this will never work and that I will be left with just 1 T in the future?

Why do we have to search for you? Research yourself, considering you trust Wiki over AB members.

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?134090-Avicularia-communal-FAIL!!!

 

[JayGrizzly]

Why do I have to search for you? Research yourself considering you trust Wiki over AB members.

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?134090-Avicularia-communal-FAIL!!!

That post states that they where never kept togethor from the begining and that they where in a bigger then needed space. My Ts have never been seperated and are in a small container. I read this post befor and just because one persons attempt failed doesnt mean that it is totaly not possible.

 

[advan]

That post states that they where never kept togethor from the begining and that they where in a bigger then needed space. My Ts have never been seperated and are in a small container. I read this post befor and just because one persons attempt failed doesnt mean that it is totaly not possible.

I am not searching anymore for you. You are more than capable of that task.

If you want all of the spiders to live, then separate them. If you want to prove us wrong and don't care for losses than by all means go ahead with it.

I have an experimental communal going right now that I know will fail but I don't come on here, ask if it's going to work and than argue with everyone.

To make it easier, just do your communal, come back in a few months and tell us how big your spider is. -Good luck!

 

[JayGrizzly]

I am not searching anymore for you. You are more than capable of that task.

If you want all of the spiders to live, then separate them. If you want to prove us wrong and don't care for losses than by all means go ahead with it.

I have an experimental communal going right now that I know will fail but I don't come on here, ask if it's going to work and than argue with everyone.

To make it easier, just do your communal, come back in a few months and tell us how big your spider is. -Good luck!

LOL what ever you say

 

[Storm76]

+1 on arrylic top custom Exo Terras!!
To the OP: with the SMALLEST amount of modification, they're great! I use some Exos, and simply remove the mesh (very easily done, as the mesh is held in place by a rubber strip, not glued) and replace with a square of 3mm acrylic. This can be ventilated to your needs. If you remove the mesh properly, you are also left with 2 nice pieces of steel mesh, with can be used to make some nice custom vents on other enclosures!

PS I agree with all of the rest of your post Storm, to the best of my understanding on the subject, but just said I would give my opinion on Exo Terras!!

I should have said "or you need to customize them some" - but alas: That idea didn't even come to me, matt82. Probably because of the fact that over here I seldomly see people using acrylic enclosure, nor is there anyone selling them. Hence why I ordered mine from Adam today