Stella Maris
Arachnoknight
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2017
- Messages
- 181
I'll be getting (hopefully) an Aphonopelma seemanni "blue form" sling soon as my first-ever tarantula, and I have some additional questions regarding caring for the sling:
1. I've read that slings can start their housing in a deli cup with air holes. Now I know the A. seemanni slings like to burrow...is a deli cup sufficient for them? I figure since they like to burrow, height/depth of substrate is important. Also, where can I actually purchase deli cups (Walmart?)? If I can't find deli cups what other kind of container can I get for my sling?
2. Recommended substrate for A. seemanni sling? I know the answers will vary, but I need to be able to purchase the substrate in advance. Also, what is the recommended depth for the substrate when I will first be housing my sling?
3. Do slings only drink water from the substrate or if it's sprayed on the walls of the container? No water bowl starting out as a sling I'm assuming?
4. I will be transporting my sling from place of purchase to my home. Currently it's in the 20's/30's degrees Fahrenheit where I live. Do I somehow need to exercise extra caution when I'll be bringing my sling home with me? Any idea as how to keep it warm when being transported?
5. Generally how soon will my sling need to be fed upon being rehoused in their new container?
6. How long will it take for the sling to mature?
7. Any tips on how to safely and carefully rehouse the sling from its purchase container to its home container? Being a small sling I'm horrified that it could get away and be lost forever in my house.
Other questions that are tarantula-related:
1. How do I keep the humidity at 65%-80% for this species? My bedroom tends to stay between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit year round but I don't know about the humidity level.
2. Do the slings eat fruit flies or pinhead crickets starting out? Can you purchase live flies/pinhead crickets at pet stores like Petsmart, Petco, Pet Supplies Plus, etc.?
Also, can anyone point me to some videos or webpages about keeping feeder pinhead crickets? Do you usually just raise your own feeder insects or do you just buy a certain amount in the store?
It's been many years since I've kept feeder crickets (for my anoles) and I'm not sure where to find them, how to house them, etc. Do you always need to keep a large amount of pinhead crickets on hand?
Sorry if these are stupid questions but I have a week to figure this out. Would greatly appreciate your input!
1. I've read that slings can start their housing in a deli cup with air holes. Now I know the A. seemanni slings like to burrow...is a deli cup sufficient for them? I figure since they like to burrow, height/depth of substrate is important. Also, where can I actually purchase deli cups (Walmart?)? If I can't find deli cups what other kind of container can I get for my sling?
2. Recommended substrate for A. seemanni sling? I know the answers will vary, but I need to be able to purchase the substrate in advance. Also, what is the recommended depth for the substrate when I will first be housing my sling?
3. Do slings only drink water from the substrate or if it's sprayed on the walls of the container? No water bowl starting out as a sling I'm assuming?
4. I will be transporting my sling from place of purchase to my home. Currently it's in the 20's/30's degrees Fahrenheit where I live. Do I somehow need to exercise extra caution when I'll be bringing my sling home with me? Any idea as how to keep it warm when being transported?
5. Generally how soon will my sling need to be fed upon being rehoused in their new container?
6. How long will it take for the sling to mature?
7. Any tips on how to safely and carefully rehouse the sling from its purchase container to its home container? Being a small sling I'm horrified that it could get away and be lost forever in my house.
Other questions that are tarantula-related:
1. How do I keep the humidity at 65%-80% for this species? My bedroom tends to stay between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit year round but I don't know about the humidity level.
2. Do the slings eat fruit flies or pinhead crickets starting out? Can you purchase live flies/pinhead crickets at pet stores like Petsmart, Petco, Pet Supplies Plus, etc.?
Also, can anyone point me to some videos or webpages about keeping feeder pinhead crickets? Do you usually just raise your own feeder insects or do you just buy a certain amount in the store?
It's been many years since I've kept feeder crickets (for my anoles) and I'm not sure where to find them, how to house them, etc. Do you always need to keep a large amount of pinhead crickets on hand?
Sorry if these are stupid questions but I have a week to figure this out. Would greatly appreciate your input!