Excitement!

[Milamber]

Hello!

My name is Rachel. I'm new to the boards and the hobby, but I can already feel the seedlings of addiction forming

I'm currently sealing up a deal with Niloticus/Lila to get my first T - A. versicolor. I'm super excited and a little nervous, but I'm sure that's normal.

I've been doing some research, but just wanted to brush some info by all the T-veterans.

Since my T is arboreal I got enclosures with more height than ground area. I also understand versicolor slings need a moderate amount of humidity and a lot of ventilation so I'm drilling holes into the tops, middles, and around the bottoms of these containers. My T is going to be a 1" sling, so I don't plan on keeping a water bowl in the container at all, but to mist lightly and keep the substrate moist. For substrate I think I'm going to start out with 100% vermiculite, but I also picked up moss and eco-earth just in case I need to change it. I was going to start with about 1.5" of substrate, but I've read that some arboreal slings will burrow... do you think I should have more substrate in just in case the T feels more comfortable with that at first? I just want to make she's (or he) as comfortable as she can be when she arrives.

I picked up some artificial flowers for climbing while in the smaller containers. I will add cork bark probably when the T gets full grown and into her final enclosure (which I plan on building myself). Do I need to worry about cleaning the artificial flowers and bark in anyway besides just wiping it down and taking off any obvious funkiness?

I plan on feeding small crickets 1-2 times a week... more or less depending on the T's appetite.

These are the containers I bought for when she first gets here. I think I will probably use the middle-sized one when I first get her. It is roughly 2"x2"x6". Do you think this is an okay size for a 1" sling? Roughly estimated how long does it take for an arboreal sling (being fed 1-2 times weekly) to outgrow a container this size?

Also, concerning the humidity... is there a good rule of thumb for eyeballing it? I've read that if her butt isn't pruney, she's okay, and at the same time I don't want to see water running down the insides. I'm probably being paranoid about the humidity thing, eh?

Anything I've missed or misinterpreted please let me know! Thanks so much for all the information here. This forum has been the go-to place for me. I'm sure my future T will be happy it's here, too

 

[thirtysixwood]

Hello and welcome to the hobby, what a wonderful place it is... anyway, I probably wont get your questions in order, just memory from reading once.

for that size T, I personally would go with the second largest encloser you got... PS. I love those things. Uhm... I would do a 50-50 split of vermiculite (sp) and peat moss, or simply use coco bedding stuff, like the brick you see at the store, I think they sell that stuff in bags too... anyway, plants, good, bark good, I would make sure that you give each item a good washing, I wouldnt recommend soap, but nice hot water, and give it a good scrubbing, old toothbrush or something would work fine, just to make sure theres nothing thats going to grow.... and uhm since this little fella will most likely be at the top, I would make sure you have some clearance from the top and the plant/bark. I would just put a couple inches in the medium one...

Also for water, I would at least put a coke cap in the bottom, just in case.. you never know, if anything itwould be good for the humidity...

I will say that sometimes stuff does grow, but you will find (most likely) your versicolor hanging around at the top,,, they do enjoy making a web, so you will see that within a couple days, then you will have a better idea of what should stay in and what should stay out....

They are fast, but I wouldnt worry about a bite, it does happen but rare I'm sure. uhm... lets see, humidity, since it is kinda small, this is what I would do, do your misting and stuff, but make sure the substrate is a bit moist, and when you do spray, try to carefully get a couple drops to stick to the web or one of your flowers, so she, he, it can get a drink... dont worry if you dont see it drink, it will... and you dont have to mist constantly, just when you see things start to dry up a bit, give a little squirt in there....

Lets see, growth, these guys grow at a moderate pace I'd say, I would start out with a cricket or 2 a week and see how that goes. the thing is that the smaller they are the less they eat, so you may well find yourself feeding only once a week if that... molts will come fast, so there is the pre-molt fasting, and dont be suprized if it isnt to hungry when you get it.

I think thats about it, I see you've purchased an arm, a leg, and your first born of supplies in the background,,, thats good, cause sooner or later, you will have more T's...

I'm sure others will chime in and give you a good word of advice... again welcome to the hobby, welcome to the boards...
Justin

Thats my casual 2 cents.

 

[jukahman]

Welcome...nice choice BTW....a. versicolor.

 

[thirtysixwood]

Welcome...nice choice BTW....a. versicolor.

Nicely said... I forgot to mention what a wonderful first T it is. It was the first tarantula I ever held... my how I wish I bought it...

 

[IdahoBiteyThing]

I agree

The medium container is perfect. Just add lots and lots of ventilation holes. Either substrate choice is fine, just keep moist. 1" is plenty big to add a chunk of bark to help w/ structure for webbing. I also like to add a little unground sphagnum moss so they have a little something to decorate with. Also, you can set this container up upside-down if you like, with the substrate in the "top" and the bark glued to the "bottom". That way, you can lift the big portion up, with the spider and web in it, and maintain the bottom portion, with the substrate in it. Sounds odd, but it works really nice for avics, since they tend to hang out near the tops of their enclosures. Glad to see you've done your homework, it's a refreshing change!!!!

 

[desertdweller]

Welcome Rachel! Sounds like you are much better equipped than most to start with. Well done!

You have gotten some great info already so I will just add my own. Make sure your ventilation holes are not big enough to let the little critter out! It's amazing what they can squeeze through.

I have two A versi's and got them when they were about 3/4 inch. I play with them almost every day except when they refuse to come out, which is when they are webbed in and in pre-molt. It's easy though since they love to climb out onto my hand at all other times. They are so adorable, wait 'till you see how they wave their front legs (with big feet!) all around looking for the next finger to swing up on.

When I first started playing with them each one jumped off my hand a time or two but now they are used to me and never leave my moving hands. The love to play!!! and never want to go back into their containers. I think this species is way too much fun to leave alone.

Good luck and have lots of fun!! Can't wait to see what you next T is! (We all know there WILL BE MORE!!!)