Enclosure too large?

[lydia24]

I used a standard utz cheese ball container to make an enclosure for my A. avic, but I’m worried it may be a bit too big for her. She is about 3 inches. I plan to keep her in this enclosure as she grows and replace the sticks with cork bark and get her a bigger water bowl, but I was wondering if this enclosure will be too large for her at this size.

Here is another photo better showing her size in comparison to the enclosure.

 

[A guy]

The size of the enclosure is not the problem that I see here. Remove all the fake leaves and whatnot, just give it a proper corkbark to hide and feel safe in. Also, a top opening enclosure is not suitable for Avicularia IMHO.

Most Avicularia will choose to build webs on the top part of their enclosures. You see where this is going, right?
If yours chooses to build its webs on the top or in this situation on the lid, it'll result in you destroying its webbing everytime you open the container.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

It may be ok maybe try adding a higher water dish also if possible. Welcome to ab!!
Here’s a guide to read!
https://arachnoboards.com/threads/avicularia-husbandry.282549/#post-2461396

 

[darkness975]

I used a standard utz cheese ball container to make an enclosure for my A. avic, but I’m worried it may be a bit too big for her. She is about 3 inches. I plan to keep her in this enclosure as she grows and replace the sticks with cork bark and get her a bigger water bowl, but I was wondering if this enclosure will be too large for her at this size.

The size of the enclosure is not the issue. The top opening factor is.

The leaf clutter is fine, it's how they web.

It needs a rehouse into an enclosure that opens from the side.

 

[Smotzer]

It needs a rehouse into an enclosure that opens from the side.

The size of the enclosure is not the issue. The top opening factor is.

Sorry but since when is a top opening enclosure, that can be ventilated, a problem in keeping Aviculariinae? It definitely is not, I have kept all life stages over various times in top opening enclosures. As long as you can add ventilation so that air moves from down low up and out then it is absolutely fine.

 

[darkness975]

Sorry but since when is a top opening enclosure, that can be ventilated, a problem in keeping Aviculariinae? It definitely is not, I have kept all life stages over various times in top opening enclosures. As long as you can add ventilation so that air moves from down low up and out then it is absolutely fine.

The airflow is not the issue. The issue is Aviculariinae tend to web near the top in many (not all) situations. Therefore, a top opening enclosure would be detrimental by constantly ripping the webbing and disturbing the specimen.

Thus in my (and many others on this forum) opinion it is better to utilize an enclosure that has a side opening entrance, wherein the inhabitant can web the top (properly foliage filled) area with minimal disturbace.

Also a water dish suspended half way up is not a bad idea. Some will venture to the ground to drink and others will not. While misting an area for hydration can work, it does not always.

@cold blood @viper69
You both have raised countless Avics. Have you had more success with top opening enclosures or side?

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

Some do use top opening encounters and say the spider will rebuild the web, but I use side opening, too. Only took a few times of opening a deli cup and ripping open the top of a web with my sling right there, before I switched to inverted Amac boxes. Juvies are moving into side opening enclosures. Leaves up top are a good thing.

 

[Finikan]

joke post? I thought it rained inside the enclosure. that's a lot of holes.

I didn't have trouble with top opening, I kept the foliage down about 2 inches then they kept the webbing down one inch. the only possible issue then is water dish. I dropped water onto the web frequently to get around that.

then, i switched to all side-opening.

 

[greeneyedelle]

I have nothing to contribute other than absolute awe at how many holes you managed put in that bucket I’m genuinely impressed!

 

[lydia24]

Thank you! I heard conflic

joke post? I thought it rained inside the enclosure. that's a lot of holes.

I didn't have trouble with top opening, I kept the foliage down about 2 inches then they kept the webbing down one inch. the only possible issue then is water dish. I dropped water onto the web frequently to get around that.

then, i switched to all side-opening.

is it detrimental to have that many holes?

I have nothing to contribute other than absolute awe at how many holes you managed put in that bucket I’m genuinely impressed!

I was scared it would be too stagnant in there. Is that too much?

 

[Finikan]

is it detrimental to have that many holes?

Feet can get caught. Only problem i see. Also, you cant see the T very well.

 

[lydia24]

Feet can get caught. Only problem i see. Also, you cant see the T very well.

I don’t mind not being able to see her. If I have any issues I will definitely change the enclosure. I just heard so much about how much airflow they needed and I didn’t want to take chances

 

[Finikan]

More is bettah. However, with that size feet can get caught

 

[lydia24]

More is bettah. However, with that size feet can get caught

Noted! Thank you!!

 

[Finikan]

You dont HAVE to swiss cheese it.

 

[lydia24]

You dont HAVE to swiss cheese it.

I’m paranoid. Noted for next time though. I think I was having too much fun with the soldering iron

 

[Finikan]

I wish i could find the reference picture. Google "cross ventilation" and you'll get the idea. Just like in a house, same for enclosure

 

[lydia24]

Gotcha, thank you so much! It’s my first time owning an aboreal so a lot of stuff is new to me

 

[Finikan]

Its cool, i learned the same way you are learning. Searching the bosrds and learning about avics. @viper69 has a link to avic care in his signature, check it out now! good read!

 

[lydia24]

I read it already and learned a lot! My biggest learning curve is the ventilation I think haha