Does my t need a water bowl?!

ivonamarie

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jun 17, 2020
Messages
8
Sooo i got my first little babe today, she’s a pink toe. And they set the enclosure all up for me. But they didn’t put a water bowl? Do I need one....
 

kingshockey

Arachnoprince
Joined
Sep 4, 2017
Messages
1,012
yes they should always have access to water . i would recommend that you use the search function to learn how to properly care for your new t most likely your going to need to make a few changes to the enclosure to
 
Joined
Oct 10, 2019
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429
Hi
Welcome to the hobby and congratulations on your new tarantula.
Short answer :Yes
Long answer:Yeeeeeeees ;)
Will you please share some pics of your tarantula and eenclosure.The reason being that vast majority of Pet stores and Reptile dealers sell tarantulas but have no idea how they are supposed to be kept properly and give bad advice and care sheets.Avicularia species have a little bit more specific hosing needs
Regards Konstantin
 

Cemykay

Arachnosquire
Joined
Oct 29, 2019
Messages
86
hi, welcome to arachnoboards!
Yes there should always be a waterbowl with access to fresh water in your enclosure. Even if you don´t see her drink from it and she instead poops into it ;)
I would like to see pics of your setup aswell!
 

testdasi

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
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May 26, 2008
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Sooo i got my first little babe today, she’s a pink toe. And they set the enclosure all up for me. But they didn’t put a water bowl? Do I need one....
You definitely should post a picture of the enclosure + the tarantula as it is rather frequent that there are a thing or two that needs to be fixed.

Strictly speaking, tarantulas get most of their hydration from preys and not from drinking water.
In captivity, tarantulas do seem to also drink from a water dish (a literal water "bowl" is usually too large for a typical enclosure) so it is highly recommended to provide one.
It's a recommendation, however, and not a strict requirement.
It is entirely possible to do without the water dish completely, it just requires more effort.
 

DaveM

ArachnoOneCanReach
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
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1,201
Yes about the water bowl, as the others say. Additionally, you should search these forums for info specific to Avicularia (pink toes), because they're easy to kill if they're not housed well.
The enclosure should be kept dry (except for the water bowl), and it is essential to have good ventilation. Don't trust pet stores. People on here know better.
 

Coradams

Arachnoknight
Joined
Mar 28, 2018
Messages
155
You can even use a bottle cap as a water dish if you have a sling. Definitely post pics of your enclosure and get some feedback. I got help here with an enclosure for a related a related species (A. minatrix). I got some great advice and he went from sitting in the corner to webbing everywhere! :)
 

ErikElvis

Newb
Joined
May 9, 2020
Messages
106
For my smaller enclosures I just wet a corner of the substrate and mist some water on the sides every once in a while. Don’t see how a water bowl is practical.
 

Swagg

Arachnoknight
Joined
Nov 15, 2019
Messages
262
For some of my smaller terrestrial sling enclosures I use a small tattoo ink cap, whenever its practical.
 

jrh3

Araneae
Old Timer
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Jun 4, 2011
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They don’t have to have a water dish. Everyone says yes because it is beneficial in the event they get dehydrated. They can stay hydrated from prey most of the time. Do I keep water dish in all my enclosures, yes. But as for a must have or die, No, they can live with out it.
 

Swagg

Arachnoknight
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Nov 15, 2019
Messages
262
They don’t have to have a water dish. Everyone says yes because it is beneficial in the event they get dehydrated. They can stay hydrated from prey most of the time. Do I keep water dish in all my enclosures, yes. But as for a must have or die, No, they can live with out it.
I agree. Most of my slings have one, but there are some that don't. I picked up a GBB sling a few weeks ago and it does not have a water dish. I put drops on the web and make sure it eats and it has been fine.
There are people who have never used water dishes at all and are good. I personally use them whenever it makes sense to.
 

ivonamarie

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jun 17, 2020
Messages
8
Idek why I started another thread, you guys are so helpful on this one. I love this community already lol!!! Here is the picture!! I think I’ll get a water bowl! Cause they said to mist it every other week. But the more I read, they don’t like humidity?
 

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jrh3

Araneae
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Jun 4, 2011
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Idek why I started another thread, you guys are so helpful on this one. I love this community already lol!!! Here is the picture!! I think I’ll get a water bowl! Cause they said to mist it every other week. But the more I read, they don’t like humidity?
Nice tank, I would add some fake leaves and more stuff up top, maybe even a cork round. Make the tarantula feel more secure. Not a lot of hiding spaces in there now. Yeah just add a water dish, its simple so why not.
 
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mack1855

Arachnoangel
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
829
Ok...all the above advice is good.

Having said that,I have slings and juveniles right now that have never seen a water bowl/dish for almost 1 1/2 years.

They have substrate moisture/prey moisture and Spanish moss moisture.If you can put in water sources,great!.As has been said many times,webbing makes for a great natural water source.Just spray(gently please) the webbing and the T will drink.I spray twice a week since it’s summer and drys quickly.
 

Asgiliath

Arachnobaron
Joined
May 4, 2019
Messages
404
For my smaller enclosures I just wet a corner of the substrate and mist some water on the sides every once in a while. Don’t see how a water bowl is practical.
Misting doesn't do any good for any species (as far as moistening substrate.) and an Avic enclosure should never be moistned. 😑

Dry with a water dish, OP.
 

Liquifin

Laxow Legacy LLC
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May 30, 2017
Messages
2,159
Water dishes or water bowls are recommended and it's better if you do, but it's not a requirement. I use water bowls for most of my T. enclosures, but not all of my enclosures have water dishes. It's better to have them especially after a T. has freshly molted when they're dehydrated. For the enclosures without water dishes, I just pour water onto the web mat after post-molt for water for them to drink.

It doesn't take much for a water dish, just use a small bottle cap for sling or a 2 oz delicup for a water dish on larger specimens as it's very easy to get and find one.
 

Dorifto

He who moists xD
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Aug 10, 2017
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2,776
They need a water source, it doesn´t necessarily needs to be a water dish. In my case I don´t have any water dishes since both flipped the water dish over and over again, and they tend to drink the water directly from the moss, so I removed the. In my case, my water dish is a live moss, like it in the nature.

Regarding to you enclosure, I would add more substrate and some fake plants, like chamaedoreas or climbing plants. This way, she will have more places to hide and more anchor points to help her webbing.
 
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Magicis3

Arachnosquire
Joined
Apr 16, 2020
Messages
55
For my smaller enclosures I just wet a corner of the substrate and mist some water on the sides every once in a while. Don’t see how a water bowl is practical.
For smaller enclosure you could do what you said. But if the water dish is too big add a bottle cap 98% of my tarantulas have a water dish (except to my slings under 1.5cm) of any shape or size (that would be appropriate size for the enclosure) I disagree with you when you said water dishes aren't practical cuz if the if dehydrated it can consume more water in a short period of time but it can still consume water from the subsrate it'll probably take more effort and longer for the tarantula (except the tiny slings) or put moss and dampen it if you don't put a water dish/bowl (it's a good alternative)

But if that's the way you deal with your tarantula, you do you no1 can stop you and I respect that

I'm just saying that Tarantulas would appreciate it if you give them a water dish/bowl.

Although my Neoholothe incei gold kicks/puts a lot of substrate inside the water dish😂😂😂 I still fill it up its more beneficial in the long term for it (hopefully it's a female).
 

ErikElvis

Newb
Joined
May 9, 2020
Messages
106
For smaller enclosure you could do what you said. But if the water dish is too big add a bottle cap 98% of my tarantulas have a water dish (except to my slings under 1.5cm) of any shape or size (that would be appropriate size for the enclosure) I disagree with you when you said water dishes aren't practical cuz if the if dehydrated it can consume more water in a short period of time but it can still consume water from the subsrate it'll probably take more effort and longer for the tarantula (except the tiny slings) or put moss and dampen it if you don't put a water dish/bowl (it's a good alternative)

But if that's the way you deal with your tarantula, you do you no1 can stop you and I respect that

I'm just saying that Tarantulas would appreciate it if you give them a water dish/bowl.

Although my Neoholothe incei gold kicks/puts a lot of substrate inside the water dish😂😂😂 I still fill it up its more beneficial in the long term for it (hopefully it's a female).
I’m just saying in the small Jamie’s enclosures a bottle cap would take up a lot of space. Or for people who keep them in dram vials. I know my A Geniculatas have made a mess of their enclosure with substrate all over the place. Not even a flat spot to keep a bottle cap. And why the down votes on just my comment when others have said the same thing with nothing.
 
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