Erica Danielle
Arachnosquire
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2020
- Messages
- 55
Hey everyone! I’ve been researching for a few months and finally came across Tom’s Big Spiders. Which in turn, led me here. This is my first post and I’ve not obtained my first T yet but I definitely have decided on a Tliltocatl albopilosum. This will be my first tarantula. As a beginner, I’d like to make sure I’m on the correct path before I even start setting up an enclosure and definitely before I order any spider. With that said, this will probably be a long post. I’m “wanting” to start off with a T around 3”-4”. (For my very first T, I’d like to start off with a spood around 3-4”. Being my first ever T, I’m hesitant to purchase a sling.)
A Tliltocatl albopilosum should be kept on mostly dry substrate with the water dish filled over (not enough to make it muddy) and should be replaced whenever it dries out. The substrate (I’m going with EcoEarth, so far unless someone points me in a better direction, ecoearth should be tamped down since T’s do not like fluffy substrate). should be 1.5x the length of the spider from the top of the substrate to the top of the container, the length of the enclosure should be 3x the DLS and 2-3x the DLS in height. Don’t use tongs to feed. Never leave prey items in the enclosure while I’m not around (squish heads, which I’ve read some do and some don’t, clarification on this would be awesome too!) Don’t handle!! Always have a catch cup when rehousing, just in case. Have a hide inside the enclosure that’s partially buried and have a little burrow started under the hide (I’m going with cork bark, no sharp edges). Side and top ventilation. Water dish always available (recommendations for this would be greatly appreciated). Feeding and moistening (of the substrate) should never be kept to a rigid schedule. Humidity is irrelevant. Keep at room temperatures (around 71 F in my home). Do not offer prey items to a T who just molted (wait 2-2.5 weeks so the spider and its fangs can harden, if this is incorrect, please correct me). If the T is constantly climbing or staying on the walls of the enclosure it “may” be an issue with the enclosure. Closing off of a burrow means “do not disturb.” Do not keep enclosure in direct sunlight. Remove boluses. NO mesh wire tops. Never disturb a molting T.
ANYTHING that I’m missing or am misunderstanding or I’m completely wrong on, please let me know! Anything else I need to know, please tell me. I love spiders, of all kinds and I want to do this absolutely the right way, so I’m asking questions beforehand. Thanks for reading and any advice I’m given from you guys is greatly appreciated.
A Tliltocatl albopilosum should be kept on mostly dry substrate with the water dish filled over (not enough to make it muddy) and should be replaced whenever it dries out. The substrate (I’m going with EcoEarth, so far unless someone points me in a better direction, ecoearth should be tamped down since T’s do not like fluffy substrate). should be 1.5x the length of the spider from the top of the substrate to the top of the container, the length of the enclosure should be 3x the DLS and 2-3x the DLS in height. Don’t use tongs to feed. Never leave prey items in the enclosure while I’m not around (squish heads, which I’ve read some do and some don’t, clarification on this would be awesome too!) Don’t handle!! Always have a catch cup when rehousing, just in case. Have a hide inside the enclosure that’s partially buried and have a little burrow started under the hide (I’m going with cork bark, no sharp edges). Side and top ventilation. Water dish always available (recommendations for this would be greatly appreciated). Feeding and moistening (of the substrate) should never be kept to a rigid schedule. Humidity is irrelevant. Keep at room temperatures (around 71 F in my home). Do not offer prey items to a T who just molted (wait 2-2.5 weeks so the spider and its fangs can harden, if this is incorrect, please correct me). If the T is constantly climbing or staying on the walls of the enclosure it “may” be an issue with the enclosure. Closing off of a burrow means “do not disturb.” Do not keep enclosure in direct sunlight. Remove boluses. NO mesh wire tops. Never disturb a molting T.
ANYTHING that I’m missing or am misunderstanding or I’m completely wrong on, please let me know! Anything else I need to know, please tell me. I love spiders, of all kinds and I want to do this absolutely the right way, so I’m asking questions beforehand. Thanks for reading and any advice I’m given from you guys is greatly appreciated.