Avicularia sp. "Guyana" Guyana Pink Toe

[Snugzyqt]

Hey guys,

Just purchased my first T!! So excited for her to come, however I think I have may have been a little hazy hen ordering the needed equipment.

From my overall research so far I’ve come to the realisation that humidity and heat are the least of my worries. Ventilation is the reason for the starting of this thread as I have a few questions.

Unfortunately as stated above I hastily ordered the nicest looking terrarium/enclosure I could before I knew about the ventilation requirements. I ordered this:
https://www.thespidershop.co.uk/cylinder-terrarium-p-4273.html#.XRgq1yXTUlQ
(Hope I’m allowed to link that here)

I know it’s a little on the smaller side but she’s just a Juvie so for now thought it would be perfectly big enough. I have everything I think I need, cork bark, some climbing barks/decorations, a little moss, shallow water bowl and some coco substrate which I intend to occasionally mist if necessary.

From what I’ve read, this enclosure only having top ventilation really isn’t going to be great. I’m more than happy to go out and buy another if it’s necessary as I want to keep her as happy as possible with distress to a minimum. It’s only made from polycarbonate so I was thinking or wondering I should say, if it would be possible to simply make a few holes on each side?! And if so how many would you recommend?

The other thing I’m worried about is her webbing at the top of the enclosure, I really don’t want to be having to destroy anything she has built or agitate her when removing to top to mist or feed her.

My real concern here is the ventilation, if I can make a few holes, all well and great as if really love to have a cylindrical terrarium. But if not I’m more than happy to do what’s best for the girl!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as if I need to get a different enclosure I will need to go and do it ASAP!

Thanks in advance

 

[cold blood]

I wouldn't use that unless you can drill holes.

Misting isn't someth8ing done for husbandry....light misting on webbing or a wall is a great way to offer an easy drink...but don't do it often or a lot.

Keep the ground clear of cover and things to hide under....a clear floor makes hunting easier...floor clutter just gives feeders hiding places.

 

[Snugzyqt]

I wouldn't use that unless you can drill holes.

I can make some holes no problem, that’s what I’m asking though is this a suitable alternative?! Adding a few holes each side (still unsure as to how many) as well as the top having ventilation should be enough right?! I don’t want to make it too much either, just looking for a guesstimate as to how much airflow I’m actually looking at needing!

Thanks for the advice about misting, I will keep it to a minimum.

 

[cold blood]

I can make some holes no problem, that’s what I’m asking though is this a suitable alternative?! Adding a few holes each side (still unsure as to how many) as well as the top having ventilation should be enough right?! I don’t want to make it too much either, just looking for a guesstimate as to how much airflow I’m actually looking at needing!

Thanks for the advice about misting, I will keep it to a minimum.

Yes, if you have holes on the sides (and lower), it will promote airflow and should be just fine.

 

[Snugzyqt]

Yes, if you have holes on the sides (and lower), it will promote airflow and should be just fine.

Thanks, I appreciate you telling me something i have already established. Not to be rude but i will asked one last and (3rd time). Roughly how many holes would be suitable? I don't want to do too many but i still don't want to do to little.

Sorry, i don't mean to come across as rude but this is the question i have been asking from the start, as im very aware i need additional airflow i just want to know the best way to achieve this.

Ie. "You will probably need roughly 5-10 2mm holes on each side, top and bottom"

"In my experience 7 holes in total each side should do just fine"

"Make a few holes in a line each side"/"Make 5 2mm holes in a circular pattern each side"

 

[Gogyeng]

how much cross-ventilation will depend very much on the size of enclosure as well, I have 25 holes for 2 sides of my arboreal enclosures, 30X20X20. Practice makes expert, you can test it without Ts in. Just mist is thoroughly and observe if damps forms... or not

 

[Thekla]

Okay, first of all, congrats on your first T! And welcome to the hobby/addiction/whatever...

Regarding humidity and how it's not important in T keeping cold blood already covered it.

As for the needed holes, here's what I what do (please keep in mind that everyone does it a bit differently):
I'd drill a row of holes around the bottom, right above the substrate, and then two grids of holes along either side (from top to bottom). Maybe 7x4? Depends on how large the holes will be. Personally, I always make more holes than strictly necessary.

As for webbing up the top, well, that's something that's always a possibility and something you can't predict because each T is different. But I'd arrange the cork bark and the fake leaves in that way, that they stop a few centimetres below the lid. And with a bit of luck, your T will only web there.

Do you know how big it'll be? You said "juvie size", but that's quite the relative term. Be prepared to have something smaller if you get a more sling-sized T.

As I'm not familiar with this species I don't know how large they'll get, but for a smaller species, that enclosure could serve as a forever home.

 

[Snugzyqt]

Okay, first of all, congrats on your first T! And welcome to the hobby/addiction/whatever...

Regarding humidity and how it's not important in T keeping cold blood already covered it.

As for the needed holes, here's what I what do (please keep in mind that everyone does it a bit differently):
I'd drill a row of holes around the bottom, right above the substrate, and then two grids of holes along either side (from top to bottom). Maybe 7x4? Depends on how large the holes will be. Personally, I always make more holes than strictly necessary.

As for webbing up the top, well, that's something that's always a possibility and something you can't predict because each T is different. But I'd arrange the cork bark and the fake leaves in that way, that they stop a few centimetres below the lid. And with a bit of luck, your T will only web there.

Do you know how big it'll be? You said "juvie size", but that's quite the relative term. Be prepared to have something smaller if you get a more sling-sized T.

As I'm not familiar with this species I don't know how large they'll get, but for a smaller species, that enclosure could serve as a forever home.

Wow thanks for all the great advice and i'm super stoked and every so excited for my T to come!!

Just popped to the local pet store to pick up some nice fresh moss ready to build up the enclosure. THANKYOU so much in regards to the number of holes and the placement, greatly appreciated and exactly what i was looking for!!

The holes around the bottom, you literally mean a ring 360 degrees around the whole enclosure right? But slightly above the substrate.

As for the holes on the side i assume you mean something like this?

• • • • • • •
• • • • • • •
• • • • • • •
• • • • • • •

or like this?

• • • •
• • • •
• • • •
• • • •
• • • •
• • • •
• • • •

Sorry for my poor diagram skills, and for the lack of knowledge but i want to get this right first time

Im thinking roughly 2mm holes, im assuming these will be big enough, but what about the distance between them?

 

[The Grym Reaper]

I've never even bothered with those cylindrical enclosures, everyone gasses up the guy who designed them (some Polish guy, not even going to attempt to spell his name) on FB but I think they're awful tbh, they have one of those flimsy little mesh vents in the top and absolutely no cross ventilation whatsoever.

I don't know how easy/difficult it is to drill polycarbonate compared to cast/extruded acrylic but you'll need a single row of holes going all the way around the enclosure at just above substrate level as the bare minimum (as warm air leaves the lid vent it will pull fresh air through the holes at the bottom), additional holes at mid-height won't hurt though.

As for the holes on the side i assume you mean something like this?

• • • • • • •
• • • • • • •
• • • • • • •
• • • • • • •

or like this?

• • • •
• • • •
• • • •
• • • •
• • • •
• • • •
• • • •

Either will do.

Im thinking roughly 2mm holes, im assuming these will be big enough, but what about the distance between them?

For my juvie Avic enclosures I use a 3.5mm or 4mm HSS bit and the holes are approx an inch apart.

 

[Thekla]

As @The Grym Reaper said, either will do. And as for the size of the holes, you just have to be sure your T won't fit through them (if the carapace fits, so will the whole spider).

Don't overcomplicate things. What you need is proper cross ventilation (or chimney style), dry substrate, a cork bark that extends from bottom to top, loads of fake leaves that surround the top part of the cork bark and a water dish, and you'll be fine. Don't bother with moss, it'll only serve as a hiding place for prey items. The ground of the enclosure should be completely clear of any clutter apart from the water dish, of course.

 

[Dannica]

Is “Avicularia sp. Guyana” just the new way of saying Avicularia avicularia, or am I missing out on some cool new avic to drool over?

 

[viper69]

Is “Avicularia sp. Guyana” just the new way of saying Avicularia avicularia, or am I missing out on some cool new avic to drool over?

No it isn’t. The former is how Ts not characterized are named, the latter is a formal Latin name from scientists; HUGE difference.

 

[Snugzyqt]

Hey all!

Just wanted to say thank you for all the great advice and help I received here. Everything is now finished, I’ve attached some photos so you can see my new girls home! Please let me know if you think any changes are needed or if anything has been done wrong.