Avicularia versicolor sling webbing on the ground?

[Robyn8]

I thought avic slings would web near the top of the enclosures, one is still running around (got them yesterday). The other started a web here:

One fell from high from the side on the substrate but it appears to be fine.

 

[Venom1080]

my A avic juvi had a web running from the ground to the top. your avic will prob move the web higher as time progresses. arboreal slings are probably the most fall resistant out of all tarantulas. i wouldnt worry at all. it took my versi sling a few weeks to settle in.

 

[G. pulchra]

I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

[viper69]

This happens more than one would think. I've had versi and other Avics do the same, from slings to AFs. Never know what they are going to choose or why.

In your case, most of the anchor points are at the bottom. Generally I don't put plants in the sub I put them up higher to encourage aboreal lifestyle. I'd keep the cork slab, they do love them, at all age ranges and Avic species I've had.

Next time, take your plants, cut them up or something and hot glue them to middle portion of the bark if you like. Experiment!

 

[Trenor]

I would not overly worry about it. Avics love cluttered spaces so a lot of times you can get them to web where you want by making that a cluttered spot with lots of anchor points. I always place a lot of plants in my Avic species enclosures.

Good luck.

 

[Sana]

Looks like a happy avic to me. One of my little ones has taken up residence at ground level as well. As long as they web, eat, and molt I wouldn't be worried about where they build their homes. I actually count myself lucky if they choose to build somewhere that I don't disrupt their home whenever I open the container.

 

[Robyn8]

I was surprised when the avic started webbing within the hour

 

[Vanessa]

I have two 1/2" A. versicolor spiderlings and they did exactly the same thing. They first started webbing close to the bottom and I was concerned as well. Then, they slowly moved higher and are now both chilling in web hammocks about 1/2" from the top of the enclosure.
One of mine just moulted too and everything seems to be fine.

 

[mistertim]

I have two 1/2" A. versicolor spiderlings and they did exactly the same thing. They first started webbing close to the bottom and I was concerned as well. Then, they slowly moved higher and are now both chilling in web hammocks about 1/2" from the top of the enclosure.
One of mine just moulted too and everything seems to be fine.

Pretty much exactly how my A. versi did the same.

 

[Robyn8]

I put in an extra few leaves. the one who webbed at the bottom now sits on the leaf. The other still is still on the side of the enclosure. I wonder when they will settle in. I shall wait a few days before feeding them.

Yesterday evening:

 

[cold blood]

Those mesh vents are terrible, a series of small holes is better.

Looking at both pics that vent on top is the only ventilation I see. I would remove the t from that and start over with a more properly ventilated deli cup. Venting should be on the sides, not the top...and not with a mesh vent as it allows for too much airflow (in the wrong place) as well as providing a potential hazard as the t can get caught in t he mesh.

 

[Andrea82]

Those mesh vents are terrible, a series of small holes is better.

Looking at both pics that vent on top is the only ventilation I see. I would remove the t from that and start over with a more properly ventilated deli cup. Venting should be on the sides, not the top...and not with a mesh vent as it allows for too much airflow (in the wrong place) as well as providing a potential hazard as the t can get caught in t he mesh.

And here we see a big discrepancy between usa and European breeders...
These containers are actually recommended by a respectable dutch breeder. I believe that @Storm76 uses these containers as wel. There are a few holes in the sides as well. I'm keeping my avics the usa way, which is deemed insufficient by the Dutch breeders, but works for me.
It really is a shame there are not more dutch/european breeders who come here...
(Sorry to hijack your thread Robyn )

 

[Robyn8]

I first, was sceptic of keeping them this way, wanting to keep them with lots of side ventilation and a few holes on top. But more than one dutch breeder told me these were better and highly recommended. Indeed, @Storm76 uses these as well with great success.

 

[Trenor]

I first, was sceptic of keeping them this way, wanting to keep them with lots of side ventilation and a few holes on top. But more than one dutch breeder told me these were better and highly recommended. Indeed, @Storm76 uses these as well with great success.

I had two of my A.versicolors one in each style of these enclosures. One with the vents on top from a show and the other I ordered online and setup myself. With my home set the way it is, the top vent enclosure dried out faster and required more maintenance (filling the water dish). After a month or so I swapped it out for the side vent style. For my house setup the side vents work the best but I could see the other one working as well. Top vents is all the guy I bought the T from at the shows uses. He has a more humid block building for his Ts and my house is dry in comparison.

 

[SausageinaNet]

Those mesh vents are terrible, a series of small holes is better.

Looking at both pics that vent on top is the only ventilation I see. I would remove the t from that and start over with a more properly ventilated deli cup. Venting should be on the sides, not the top...and not with a mesh vent as it allows for too much airflow (in the wrong place) as well as providing a potential hazard as the t can get caught in t he mesh.

I've been using the exact same setup with A.Avic and A.versi for over 1 1/2 years and for A.Diversipes and A.spec. amazonica purple for a few weeks now. There is no problem with this method and I don't see why you would change something that just works fine. I have seen them sit under the mesh plenty of times and they never go caught so I really don't worry about that. I also keep my first instar A.spec Columbia only with top ventilation and so far they also have been doing fine. Personally I belive this siteventilation is kind of a myth and if you don't go overboard with moisture inside the enclosure you won't have any trouble.

 

[Robyn8]

I've been using the exact same setup with A.Avic and A.versi for over 1 1/2 years and for A.Diversipes and A.spec spec amazonica purple for a few weeks now. There is no problem with this method and I don't see why you would change something that just works fine. I have seen them sit under the mesh plenty of times and they never go caught so I really don't worry about that. I also keep my first instar A.spec Columbia only with top ventilation and so far they also have been doing fine. Personally I belive this siteventilation is kind of a myth and if you don't go overboard with moisture inside the enclosure you won't have any trouble.

I spray one side through the mesh every 3 days, and let that dry completely.

 

[SausageinaNet]

I spray one side through the mesh every 3 days, and let that dry completely.

Well I usually open the lid but except that I am doing the same thing. I can only say what worked for me. Other people might have different experiences and opinions.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

This is where i keep my A.versicolor sling. Your average cheap as hell, glass, quite bizarre European enclosure.
No water dish (i don't and never used a water dish with little slings) only substrate and a little piece of cork bark. Little bugger settled near the cork, webbing on the ground a bit as well.

Size are: a packet of cigarettes, widht more little.

 

[Storm76]

Aaaand here opinions differ: Yes, I'm aware that many of you say those mesh containers are terrible, but in comparison to the ExoTerras, that mesh is bigger and for raising Avic slings those containers worked like a charm for me. I have made entirely great experiences with them.

 

[Poec54]

I was surprised when the avic started webbing within the hour

That's a good sign. Is there a water bowl in the cage?

There are people in the US who keep their spiders very differently too; part of that is individual preference and part of it is their climate. People in the dry SW may need to keep their spiders differently than people in the wetter SE. In the north, furnaces dry the entire house, and may require some adjustments in ventilation and substrate moisture.

How much time to you have to maintain your spiders, on a consistent basis? If you go with more dependence on spraying/misting, that's a time commitment, especially if you don't have water bowls as a back-up. If you get tied up at work or other activities, there may be times where you don't get to your spiders as often, which can lead to serious problems.

What I highly recommend for beginners to use the simplest, most low maintenance set ups, at least until they get some experience. For Avics, it's much easier to use a solid top (or one with a few holes) and rely more on side/cross ventilation, with dry substrate and a water bowl. An open, screen top means less microclimate and faster evaporation: an experienced keeper can juggle this; you may or may not be able to. If he does miscalculate, it's one spider lost out of hundreds. If you do, it's one out of a handful.

Another thing to keep in mind: you can't always do the same things long-term collectors/breeders do. They've developed a feel for this over the years (and had their share of hard lessons), and beginners don't have that foundation. It's not just using the same set ups they use, it's when and how they do maintenance too. Their success is a combination of factors. You can't just duplicate part of the formula and expect the same results. There's ways that I keep some of my spiders and how I work with them, that would be a disaster for a beginner. I've based my husbandry on decades of experience, with my share of mistakes along the way. Start simple and basic, and work your way up as you learn and develop skills. That applies to both species selection and husbandry methods.