C. Versicolor molted with cricket in container...

[Nyxian]

So in new to this hobby, I've been lurking for a bit, but never made an account etc...

So at the last reptile show we had in my area I picked up a C. Versicolor sling. I did a bunch of research on these threads about them and set up a deli container for this baby. It's about 3/4-1 inch in size.

On to my question!

This little one decided to set up shop on the lid of the container dispite my efforts of trying to get it to do so about half way down. .-.

I suspected the baby was in pre molt, as it refused food for the last two weeks. I've been offering a small cricket once every few days just to be sure. This is my first sling and I got nervous as this is also my dream T. Welp, it molted last night while I was sleeping. Doesn't seem to have had any issues and is doing well! Only issue, I put a small cricket in there yesterday when I got home from work. Was gonna remove it this morning if it hadn't eaten it. Welllll it molted and now I can't open the lid to remove the cricket.

Should I just leave it? The sling is allll the way up at the top, and it's a decent size container (probably a little too big) and a its a tiny cricket. If not, suggestions on how to remove it, or at least kill it without disturbing this freshly molted sling that's attached to the lid.

I've attached a photo of the cup, but have since removed the twigs and replaced with a piece of plastic shrubbery.

 

[miss moxie]

The cricket likely can't climb but I would try to remove it anyway-- better safe than sorry and you don't want the sling to try and tackle it with soft fangs just to damage them. Open the lid very slowly, very gently so as to not disturb the versicolor. Then grab the cricket with tongs and close it back up, maybe take the opportunity to top the water dish off-- molting is thirsty work. I've got 10 versi slings right now about 6-7 have made their homes at the very top. As long as you open it gently, slowly, it doesn't disturb them much.

 

[miss moxie]

I once had a similar situation when I had a C. versicolor in a jar with a black lid. I offered it a pre-killed prey item and then later went back to see if it ate and opened it to a freshly molted spider. I'd no idea it even molted, but opening the enclosure while it was freshly molted didn't make it bolt or anything. I removed the cricket so it wouldn't try to eat before it's fangs were ready.

 

[sasker]

Well, if the tarantula is all the way in the top of the enclosure, you may destroy the web on which it is now resting after the molt (I am not sure if there is a web there and if it's attached to lid, I am just guessing here). As @miss moxie said, the cricket will not be able to reach the spider, so it should be safe for now. If you can, carefully remove the cricket, as suggested.

 

[miss moxie]

Ah, yeah, if it's got it's web attached to the lid then that's a trickier situation.

 

[Nyxian]

The web is at the top, part of it is connected to the lid and part connected to the side, when I opened it yesterday, it disturbed it slightly.

Sorry, that photo was from when I first made the container, so there was not a web yet.

 

[cold blood]

This little one decided to set up shop on the lid of the container dispite my efforts of trying to get it to do so about half way down. .-.

That's where it will want to be, at the top.

Curious if you tried, "no, that's a bad spidey! Down from the lid! Bad spidey!"

I put a small cricket in there yesterday when I got home from work. Was gonna remove it this morning if it hadn't eaten it. Welllll it molted and now I can't open the lid to remove the cricket

Can't is a strong word...lol, you certainly can.....but because they web high and generally web themselves in a tube, there's no chance of an issue...Avic types are generally not a group of t you generally need to worry about live food being present.

If not, suggestions on how to remove it, or at least kill it without disturbing this freshly molted sling that's attached to the lid.

Well, the lid is pliable...soooooo, just open an area where there isn't webbing or an area that's not critical to the web structure. This pliable lid is why I like deli cups so much.

I've attached a photo of the cup, but have since removed the twigs and replaced with a piece of plastic shrubbery.

I do like to have wood in there, but more of a flatter piece that it can stretch out on and hunt from...but it was too barren and needed those plants, so that was a good change, they like cluttered areas.

 

[Nyxian]

Hahaha no, I didn't try that one. I just tried to place items only at the mid point and nothing at the top, as I've read that it may cause them to web halfway down.

I'm going to have my s/o help me when he gets home so that way I have an extra set of hands. I didn't even think about bending the lid. Thank you!

As for the live food, I'm not as concerned about the cricket getting to the T as I am about the T going after the cricket too soon after molting and getting injured. Perhaps I'm being too over protective? I'm not sure. Like I stated before I'm new to the hobby and this is also my first sling, so I'm still learning and also being over cautious haha.

Yes, I placed the twigs in there as a kind of place holder, and removed them to put the plastic plants. I'm also planning on adding some cork bark as well!

 

[cold blood]

I'm not as concerned about the cricket getting to the T as I am about the T going after the cricket too soon after molting and getting injured

It won't come out of its web tube while its vulnerable...I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[nicodimus22]

Situations like this are why inverted AMAC boxes are so nice. Lift the top 75% of the enclosure off, add or remove food and water while the sling stays up top. Perfect for arboreals! You can get them in different sizes at The Container Store online or at one of their local stores. The smallest ones are 89 cents, and the largest are $3.49.

 

[jaycied]

I started using amac boxes after something like this. It keeps you from destroying the Ts Web and you can generally do whatever maintenance you need to.

 

[Nyxian]

Thanks for the advice/container help!

I removed the cricket without any issues and will be looking into the AMAC boxes!

C. versicolor is doing well, and the molt is actually in pretty great shape, which I'm rather excited about!

 

[cold blood]

man, i hate amex boxes. easy to open, a pain to close...IMO a deli cup is superior...just my personal preference.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

man, i hate amex boxes. easy to open, a pain to close...IMO a deli cup is superior...just my personal preference.

For me the best enclosure when it comes to arboreal slings are 'Lemarchand's Box': just open those the right way

 

[ccTroi]

I would suggest you offer your sling pre-killed prey or crush the head. Pretty versicolor

 

[EulersK]

man, i hate amex boxes. easy to open, a pain to close...IMO a deli cup is superior...just my personal preference.

You mean Amac boxes? How are they difficult to close? If anything, the main reasons I don't use them are A) the price and B) the lids don't always fit on tightly.

 

[cold blood]

You mean Amac boxes? How are they difficult to close? If anything, the main reasons I don't use them are A) the price and B) the lids don't always fit on tightly.

I tip them open and either the t ends with feet in the gap or it doesnt close cleanly and i need to jiggle them to get them to snap into place.

its all in useage, people complain about deli lids, but i have no issue... so its really what you get yourself used to....i use the ones i acquire for free, otherwise id rather just use delis.


Its just personal preference, both keep ts just fine.