D sp. Panama (Drowning) 100% avoidable

[Stu Macher]

I've read info on here regarding water dishes and slings. I haven't had any issues with slings and ceramic sling dishes. I always believed that slings can't drown, much of from what I've read on here and just from using them. And 99% of the time I've been completely ok.

Well, the 1% happened guys. And it happened to none other than a D sp. Panama. I thought I wouldn't post this, but I figured it would be helpful for people.

Dishes aren't entirely necessary for tiny slings. I knew this, but I wanted my little bud to have a drink. Well, they did more than that. They took a permanent bath...

I don't recommend giving your .25 sling a pool. They may enjoy it too much.

A bit of moisture goes a long way. I used small silk leaves for past slings in the past and just added a drop or 2 on that.

Another option is a poland spring water cap. You can use 100 different things, nothing too deep.

I'll be eating Ramen for the next month...

 

[viper69]

Bummer!

many peeps use tattoo ink cups

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I’m sorry for your loss.
It’s important to make sure the water dish size is appropriate when they are small. My D sp Panama is just shy of 2” now and is still using a large tattoo ink cup. I think you hit it on the nose there when you said don’t make a pool. Thank you for sharing that others may learn.

 

[Gevo]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Do folks think this might be a situation where sphagnum moss could substitute for a water dish? I'm asking because I know sponges are a no-no because they can harbour bacteria, but it's easy enough to swap out a small piece of sphagnum moss every couple of days, so I'm wondering if it might actually be helpful for people with very small slings who don't have webbing to put water droplets on.

My tarantulas were both big enough for bottle cap water dishes when I got them, but I noticed that while my B. hamorii will readily drink from the water dish, my G. pulchra seems to prefer to suck on the bits of moss that are beside it, so I am always sure to change them out frequently and to get some water on them when I'm filling the dish.

 

[viper69]

I’m sorry for your loss.
It’s important to make sure the water dish size is appropriate when they are small. My D sp Panama is just shy of 2” now and is still using a large tattoo ink cup. I think you hit it on the nose there when you said don’t make a pool. Thank you for sharing that others may learn.
View attachment 483604

Great species

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

Great species

“Personality” for days. Always quick to check out anything going on in “her” world, whether it’s getting on top the hide to touch the ceiling when I open the lid, attacking water, or coming for me when I do maintenance, lol. Always walks in a way that reminds me of a crowd doing the wave. Adorable little bugger.

 

[viper69]

“Personality” for days. Always quick to check out anything going on in “her” world, whether it’s getting on top the hide to touch the ceiling when I open the lid, attacking water, or coming for me when I do maintenance, lol. Always walks in a way that reminds me of a crowd doing the wave. Adorable little bugger.

Never had one do that except my H chilense,
The rest are pet rocks almost
Are they generally this alert? I haven’t read this about them, but also haven’t read much on them lately.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I don’t give them a dish until 2”. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Stu Macher]

I’m sorry for your loss.
It’s important to make sure the water dish size is appropriate when they are small. My D sp Panama is just shy of 2” now and is still using a large tattoo ink cup. I think you hit it on the nose there when you said don’t make a pool. Thank you for sharing that others may learn.
View attachment 483604

Thank you

 

[Stu Macher]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Do folks think this might be a situation where sphagnum moss could substitute for a water dish? I'm asking because I know sponges are a no-no because they can harbour bacteria, but it's easy enough to swap out a small piece of sphagnum moss every couple of days, so I'm wondering if it might actually be helpful for people with very small slings who don't have webbing to put water droplets on.

My tarantulas were both big enough for bottle cap water dishes when I got them, but I noticed that while my B. hamorii will readily drink from the water dish, my G. pulchra seems to prefer to suck on the bits of moss that are beside it, so I am always sure to change them out frequently and to get some water on them when I'm filling the dish.

I use spahgnum for the smallest slings. The very small vials I'll put a piece in somewhat vertically, and put a good drop or 2 at the top and let it trickle down to the sub. It's kind of a sponge like you were saying, but it creates some good moisture too

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

Never had one do that except my H chilense,
The rest are pet rocks almost
Are they generally this alert? I haven’t read this about them, but also haven’t read much on them lately.

I never expect any of mine to be this alert, but I did watch Dave’s rehousing video where his of comparable size went exploring her new enclosure very shortly after being rehoused (even though he refers to them as skittish). Most my other Ts (different species) just freeze or hide directly after a rehouse for hours. I do have to feed small for her size feeders and she generally will first bolt away from the feeder and then turn around and come back to grab it when she sees it isn’t chasing her (around 30 secs now). Here’s a pic of her once when I started to open the lid.

 

[TheraMygale]

That is very odd. Perhaps you had a bad genetic sling. I get it though. It was really small.

i think at that size i wouldnt even have anything to offer but moisten substrate.

thats what they repeat on this board. So it has to work at some point?

im really sorry for your loss. Its terrible.

I dont think its your fault either.

A cricket keeper sands the edges of her water cups. If that can make a difference, i think it does. And rocks. If you clean them regularly.

many people shun rocks in water
Bowls. The fact is if you clean them
Weekly, its not an issue. And they get algue. I mean hello?! Thats not a tarantula issue

im a horticulturist that prospects. You know how many rocks i have in my house laying in water?! Its not like people say.

 

[Stu Macher]

Well, my other Panama just molted. Never spending money like that on another sling again. But, this sling is very cool and always on display.

 

[LucN]

Sorry for your loss. On the flipside, this is a cautionary tale that we should always keep an eye on them, slings especially, so this does not happen. I've never had tiny slings myself, all my Ts were purchased at 1.5" or larger, so there was no issue regarding a small water dish. With slings, perhaps it is best to simply pour some water in the sub and let them quench their thirst that way.

 

[Glorfindel]

such a sad end to such a pretty friend

 

[Matt Man]

Sorry for your loss. I scale my water dishes to my Ts. When Tiny I give just droplets on the enclosure or webbing, then tattoo cups, then those really low, small water bottle caps, there soda bottle caps, then gatorade caps.
IMO the spider should always be able to span the dish width.

 

[TheraMygale]

Looking good! Such an amazing tarantula. I won’t be getting one because of price. But who knows, its on my wishlight.

i hope this sling goes to long adulthood for you.