Eggsac dilemma. Moving.

[Jmugleston]

So here's my dilemma. I have a horrible success rate with artificial incubation of spider eggs. I have no problem with my snakes or lizards even when incubation time is upwards of six months. For some reason I can't get the spiders to work for me. I've since given up after killing more eggsacs of uncommonly bred species than I'll ever admit here. I don't seem to be able to get the humidity right. Either it is too wet and mold takes over. Or the exact opposite and the eggs dry out. It is depressing to see hundreds of little would-be spiders inside the egg stop developing and shrivel away. I've since given up on this method. Since it has worked better for me, I am once again leaving the eggsacs full term with the moms. Plus it takes a lot less effort on my part. With my collection and grad school, any time saved is a plus. So here's the problem. We're moving in the next two weeks. I have 6 eggsacs that I don't want to kill. 2 T. blondi, 2 P. striata, 1 H. lividum, and 1 P. fasciata with another P. fasciata coming soon. I candled the second P. fasciata and she glows a nice bright yellow. Anyway, I'm debating whether it is worth it to risk leaving the eggsacs with the moms during the move since the new home is less than 10 miles away, or taking the eggsacs and risk killing those that aren't already eggs with legs or 1st instars yet. Some will be 30 days by that time so I'm not too worried about them, but a few eggsacs will still be younger. If you have moved with eggsacs, any information would be appreciated. Did they move successfully? Did the moms eat their eggsacs? etc.

 

[Endagr8]

If I were you, I'd definitely snag the blondis sacs before you move. I've heard that they're notorious for eating eggsacs.

 

[Jmugleston]

If I were you, I'd definitely snag the blondis sacs before you move. I've heard that they're notorious for eating eggsacs.

Yeah, but those unmentionable eggsacs I hinted to above were mainly T. blondi. I have made many (yes many) unsuccessful attempts at artificially incubating them. I've taken lividum at just over a week due to a fungus in the cage and they were a cinch to hatch. So I'm not too worried about them. Mainly the others. The pokies and the blondi.

 

[J.huff23]

Maybe there is something wrong with your incubator method? What incubator style are you using? Could you post a picture of it?

 

[ZergFront]

Maybe there is something wrong with your incubator method? What incubator style are you using? Could you post a picture of it?

I was about to ask the same thing. Look around on YouTube for tarantula incubator tutorials or walkthroughs on this board and maybe you'll find out what went wrong in the past.

When you put the eggs in the incubator, do you remove the debri (shriveled eggs and dirt)? They can cause a fungal infection. Also if any eggs were burst in the proccess of opening an eggsac or removal.

Just stuff I'd thought I'd throw out there. I haven't bred any yet but that is a goal. Any breeders think I was close?

 

[Jmugleston]

Maybe there is something wrong with your incubator method? What incubator style are you using? Could you post a picture of it?

I've used the method detailed by Ryan (talkenlate). I don't have any pics anymore since I've since given up and figure I'll let the moms do their job again. They seem to be better at it than I am.

I was about to ask the same thing. Look around on YouTube for tarantula incubator tutorials or walkthroughs on this board and maybe you'll find out what went wrong in the past.

When you put the eggs in the incubator, do you remove the debri (shriveled eggs and dirt)? They can cause a fungal infection. Also if any eggs were burst in the proccess of opening an eggsac or removal.

Just stuff I'd thought I'd throw out there. I haven't bred any yet but that is a goal. Any breeders think I was close?

Of course all the extra junk debris and any infertile or spoiled eggs were removed.

 

[Talkenlate04]

I have moved before with several females that had egg sacs. I had to drive about 2400 miles. All of them did just fine.
Good luck with you're move I hope everything goes well!

 

[Jmugleston]

I have moved before with several females that had egg sacs. I had to drive about 2400 miles. All of them did just fine.
Good luck with you're move I hope everything goes well!

Cool that's what I wanted to hear. I wish I could figure out what I was doing wrong with the incubation method you use. Anyway, thanks for the input.

 

[Talkenlate04]

Ya that is weird. I have used the same method for many different species and I am going to entrust the same method if I get an egg sac from my metallica lady.

Make sure you avoid direct sunlight. How I did that was I covered the tanks with a blanket on the side of the car that would be taking the least amount of sunlight. I am sure you knew that already so just a reminder!

 

[Jmugleston]

Ya that is weird. I have used the same method for many different species and I am going to entrust the same method if I get an egg sac from my metallica lady.

Make sure you avoid direct sunlight. How I did that was I covered the tanks with a blanket on the side of the car that would be taking the least amount of sunlight. I am sure you knew that already so just a reminder!

Oh yeah. Moving the spiders is not the hard part. I moved the collection from Utah to California in 2007......then back to Utah in 2008 with no issues. I even moved an incubator full of monitor eggs at that time with no problem. It just looked funny when they opened my doors at the checkpoint and saw dozens of lizards, snakes, and spiders looking back at them. I'll probably move at night to so that it will be cooler, and the neighbors won't see what I'm doing. They don't need to know what lives next door.