Feeding a Naughty Arboreal

[mikesworld46]

Hi guys! I ‘m quite the newbie here. I need any suggestions how to feed my Avi Versicolor sling. He seems to always hangout on the lid of her enclosement and of course, she is quite the skittish little bugger. Maybe tong feeding is neccessary? I’ve uploaded sum pics for ya’ll to see. Any suggestions would really be appreciated!

Cheeers!

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Your versicolor is hiding under the lid because there aren't enough anchor points for it to web up.

Ideally you want a similar setup to this, one or two bits of cork bark leant vertically against the sides and some fake plants all around at mid-high points to anchor their webbing to, I like to keep the very top of the enclosure free of anchor points to discourage them from webbing up right under the lid.



You can just about see it in all the webbing, it moulted yesterday so it's still somewhat teneral, the exuvia is to the right of it and down a little.



Juvenile in a similar setup, I put some of the leaves too high up but it has mostly webbed around mid-level.





Tong feeding isn't necessary and your tarantula could potentially damage its fangs if it misses the prey and tags the tongs instead.

Also, I can't see a water dish in there, if you don't have one then you should put in a bottle cap or something similar to use as one, tarantulas can't drown, slings don't break the surface tension of the water so they just float on the surface if they fall in, they can swim too.

If you sort out the things I mentioned with the enclosure then it should build a web den lower down and this will in turn solve both of your problems, it should retreat to its web den whenever you open the enclosure and you can just drop feeders onto the webbing and it'll usually rush out to nab them and go back inside.

 

[mikesworld46]

Your versicolor is hiding under the lid because there aren't enough anchor points for it to web up.

Ideally you want a similar setup to this, one or two bits of cork bark leant vertically against the sides and some fake plants all around at mid-high points to anchor their webbing to, I like to keep the very top of the enclosure free of anchor points to discourage them from webbing up right under the lid.

View attachment 255107

You can just about see it in all the webbing, it moulted yesterday so it's still somewhat teneral, the exuvia is to the right of it and down a little.

View attachment 255108

Juvenile in a similar setup, I put some of the leaves too high up but it has mostly webbed around mid-level.

View attachment 255109
View attachment 255110


Tong feeding isn't necessary and your tarantula could potentially damage its fangs if it misses the prey and tags the tongs instead.

Also, I can't see a water dish in there, if you don't have one then you should put in a bottle cap or something similar to use as one, tarantulas can't drown, slings don't break the surface tension of the water so they just float on the surface if they fall in, they can swim too.

If you sort out the things I mentioned with the enclosure then it should build a web den lower down and this will in turn solve both of your problems, it should retreat to its web den whenever you open the enclosure and you can just drop feeders onto the webbing and it'll usually rush out to nab them and go back inside.

Wow man this is so helpful tank you so much she is my forst arboreal so I was in the dark there ! Thank you so much this cleared up a lot of stuf for me !

 

[Devin B]

Wow man this is so helpful tank you so much she is my forst arboreal so I was in the dark there ! Thank you so much this cleared up a lot of stuf for me !

Once you upgrade your enclosure you T may become somewhat less skittish because it will have a safe place to hide and it'll run there instead of out of tge enclosure. That will make feedings a lot less stressful as well. Ive noticed this with most my T's.

 

[Trenor]

I like inverted enclosures for them. Here is one of my setups. I've never tong fed anything I just crush the roach's head and drop it on the sub for them to go get.

Here is after the T has settled in and webbed up.

Good luck.

 

[cold blood]

yeah you need lots of cover, those 2 pieces of asparagus (thats what it looks like...lol) isnt even close to enough. surround that with foliage.

 

[mikesworld46]

Hi guys! All your inputs were so awesome omg it worked almost instantly i have pics of the best improvision i could do for now and she is loving her new lair now! I posted some pics of her settling in! Thanks a lot guys this is my fave sling and species

 

[Walker253]

yeah you need lots of cover, those 2 pieces of asparagus (thats what it looks like...lol) isnt even close to enough. surround that with foliage.

In Wisconsin, it's asparagus, in the rest of the world, it's bamboo. Some say it's lucky.
Other than that, another spot on post, haha

 

[Venom1080]

Watch those vent holes. Look way too large to me.

 

[Walker253]

Watch those vent holes. Look way too late to me.

I'm assuming you meant way to low on the vent holes. I don't know if it really matters much. Air is exchanging, are you suggesting more holes for the OP?

Some of those holes look a little too big for that versicolor though, am I right?

 

[The Grym Reaper]

I'm assuming you meant way to low on the vent holes.

I think he meant "way too large"

 

[Venom1080]

I think he meant "way too large"

Damn my phone.

@Walker253 yes, I meant too large for that sling.

 

[Anoplogaster]

In Wisconsin, it's asparagus, in the rest of the world, it's bamboo. Some say it's lucky.
Other than that, another spot on post, haha

“Lucky Bamboo” is actually a species of Dracaena. It isn’t bamboo at all

Now, I have a concern about this. Dracaenas do best in really damp conditions. In fact, they can even live in straight water. But your spider should NOT be in damp conditions. So, not really a compatible pair. Either the Dracaena will die, or the spider will die.

 

[Ellenantula]

Gotta vote for inverted enclosures. I have inverted enclosure -- makes water dish refills a breeze; also created hole w/ cork at top for feeder drops.
I say let avics run to top and me work from bottom.

 

[SeniorSpidieLovr]

I believe as long as the holes are smaller than the head and chest..... it's secure??

The two main body parts are called the prosoma, which is often described as a combination of the spider's head and chest,
https://study.com/academy/lesson/ta...o main body parts,are attached to the prosoma.

 

[Reezelbeezelbug]

I believe as long as the holes are smaller than the head and chest..... it's secure??

The two main body parts are called the prosoma, which is often described as a combination of the spider's head and chest,
https://study.com/academy/lesson/tarantulas-anatomy-habitat-bite.html#:~:text=The two main body parts,are attached to the prosoma.

4 years too late

 

[VaporRyder]

I think SeniorSpidieLovr is searching for specific threads that they are interested in and making a contribution.

And I think that’s ok.

Just because a thread hasn’t been added to for a while, or the original individuals involved may have moved on, doesn’t mean new or additional info can’t be added (and the conversation re-ignited)!

This forum is an ongoing, living document right?

SSL can’t be accused of ‘failing to use the search function’ either!

#MakeOldThreadsGreatAgain!

 

[SeniorSpidieLovr]

4 years too late

Never late. Always on time. Someone jumping in on late freight could pick up new information like myself. Don't be mean to the newbies. We're trying. Thx

 

[Kitara]

SSL can’t be accused of ‘failing to use the search function’ either!

Truth!

 

[drurymercy]

Your versicolor is hiding under the lid because there aren't enough anchor points for it to web up.

Ideally you want a similar setup to this, one or two bits of cork bark leant vertically against the sides and some fake plants all around at mid-high points to anchor their webbing to, I like to keep the very top of the enclosure free of anchor points to discourage them from webbing up right under the lid.

View attachment 255107

You can just about see it in all the webbing, it moulted yesterday so it's still somewhat teneral, the exuvia is to the right of it and down a little.

View attachment 255108

Juvenile in a similar setup, I put some of the leaves too high up but it has mostly webbed around mid-level.

View attachment 255109
View attachment 255110


Tong feeding isn't necessary and your tarantula could potentially damage its fangs if it misses the prey and tags the tongs instead.

Also, I can't see a water dish in there, if you don't have one then you should put in a bottle cap or something similar to use as one, tarantulas can't drown, slings don't break the surface tension of the water so they just float on the surface if they fall in, they can swim too.

If you sort out the things I mentioned with the enclosure then it should build a web den lower down and this will in turn solve both of your problems, it should retreat to its web den whenever you open the enclosure and you can just drop feeders onto the webbing and it'll usually rush out to nab them and go back inside.

I know this is old but I’m reading up and learning and this video was so cool!!!