First T-- General tips for keeping a Green Bottle Blue?

[llunallilac]

Hello Everyone,

After thinking about getting a tarantula for awhile now, I finally decided to go ahead and do it! The species I have decided on is the Green Bottle Blue, for its beauty (of course) and webbing. I'm still waiting for my tarantula "bible" to come in the mail, but my enclosure has already arrived. Unfortunately, I'm not too sure when my local reptile store will have the GBBs in stock. I've been put on their waiting list, but have been told it could take 1-2 months for it to come in (I'm so paranoid I gave them the wrong phone number or that they'll forget to call!)

Still, I am eager to start setting up its enclosure. I ordered this one: the Exo Terra Glass Terrarium Kit, Mini Wide, 12x12x12

It arrived yesterday, and is larger than I mentally pictured. I think this will be a good size for when it's fully grown, but am worried that if it will be coming in as a sling it might be too big. From what I've seen, it looks like most people keep their slings in small, plastic boxes, and I've read that keeping them in smaller containers while they're young is preferable. Can I make it more fit for the sling by adding in 1-2 hides? Also, should I refrain from putting in too large of branches or twigs, like ones that reach the top of the enclosure? I know that they are terrestrial tarantulas that may also enjoy climbing a bit, but I'm afraid that at its smaller size this might pose a hazard if it were to fall.

How important is the type of substrate? I saw a "premium," dry tarantula substrate mix at the local shop, but when I search online it looks like most people use a coconut fiber substrate. Can I mix this in with the other tarantula substrate or should I stick to one type? For humidity: I know that this species needs to be kept in an arid enclosure but have also read of another user on here making a small hole in the substrate, filling it with water, then letting it absorb into the surrounding area to create a small section of moisture for the T as they suggest having more humidity when the T is younger. Where would be the best place in the enclosure to put this section of humidity? I'm thinking that putting it in or next to the hides would be too much humidity, but that it still should be in an area where the T is likely to frequent or come across?

Last question: what is the best way to feed a young GBB? Would it be best to cut feeder crickets into small pieces?

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[Table]

Firstly, welcome to the hobbit.

Still, I am eager to start setting up its enclosure. I ordered this one: the Exo Terra Glass Terrarium Kit, Mini Wide, 12x12x12

If its a sling that would be way too large.

Unfortunately, I'm not too sure when my local reptile store will have the GBBs in stock. I've been put on their waiting list, but have been told it could take 1-2 months for

Get one here on aracnoboards, there are alot of really good breeders and sellers in the classifieds section.

uggest having more humidity

Don't chase humidity GBBs do just fine on dry sub, maby damp for sling.

what is the best way to feed a young GBB? Would it be best to cut feeder crickets into small pieces?

Small feeders, or as you suggested. Slings will scavenge feed

 

[llunallilac]

First, thank you for responding to my post

If its a sling that would be way too large.

Do you mind explaining the reasoning for this? I read that large enclosures are not adequate as the sling might get stressed, but if they have small hides, wouldn't this essentially replicate the environment of a wild specimen, with the added benefit of having a home that is constant and safe? Otherwise, I have no problem getting something else for the time-being. Perhaps one of those plastic critter boxes, assuming it provides enough ventilation.

Get one here on aracnoboards, there are alot of really good breeders and sellers in the classifieds section.

This sounds like a great idea! I'm pretty much new to this website, and to purchasing from breeders online, so what would be the best way to go about this? I see the "Classifieds" section but don't see GBBs listed. Would it be best if I put up a "Wanted" post?

 

[MrTwister]

The reason a large enclosure is discouraged, is that it can be hard to check on the spider if you can’t find it. Feeders have more room to escape as well. With a small enclosure, the spider will tend to view the entire container as it’s burrow, rather than a small area of a large space.
Really it just makes things a lot easier for the keeper.

 

[Tarantuland]

GBB information needed

It's been a while since I've been on here...A year ago my adult green bottle blue passed away...My husband and I went to the HERPS exotic pet expo in New Orleans where we adopted a new green bottle blue into our little family..Her name is Bella...I've never raised slings before...Her little body...

arachnoboards.com

Search the forums. GBB are fun. Heavy webber, good eater, grow fast and look cool.

Admin Announcement - Tarantula Information for Beginners (and More)

Below are some helpful resources. (Rather than having half a dozen or more pinned threads, which clutter the top of the board, we are pinning this index.) While the focus is on beginners, there are other threads on health and more advanced species that may be useful to more experienced keepers...

arachnoboards.com

 

[cold blood]

I read that large enclosures are not adequate as the sling might get stressed

Where do you read this? We hear this one a lot.

The reasons for not wanting a larger enclosure have absolutely nothing to do with stress. Stress is an over-blown concern 99% of the time. If stress killed them they would have been extinct millions of years ago...lol.

It has to do with;

1. It decreases the predator-prey interaction. Making it harder to feed and keep track of feeders and often the sling.

2. It causes a more reclusive behavior, which...

a. for many terrestrials means excessive burrowing and
b. a less food aggressive sling.....both of which can and will for most NW terrestrial slings lead directly to...
c. slower growth.

3. It makes it much harder to locate and therefore monitor the sling. Most new owners worry about slings they cannot observe and lets face it, most new t owners want to actually see the new critter. We also want to know right away if something is wrong, and you can only determine such things if you can see the animal.

4. Its just a tremendous waste of space, as a t only needs a small area to call home.

In a nut shell, smaller enclosures make things easier for your sling, and easier for you as a keeper.


This all said, there are some slings that are less effected by #1 and #2, and ts like the GBB and geniculata or Theraphosa would be a few examples, but it would still be outrageously excessive to house it in something as large as the exo you have.....just wait till its close to adulthood....re housing is a valuable learning tool, its a bad thing to avoid IMO. Something like a 16oz deli cup would be a good starting place for a GBB sling.

 

[viper69]

Hello Everyone,

After thinking about getting a tarantula for awhile now, I finally decided to go ahead and do it! The species I have decided on is the Green Bottle Blue, for its beauty (of course) and webbing. I'm still waiting for my tarantula "bible" to come in the mail, but my enclosure has already arrived. Unfortunately, I'm not too sure when my local reptile store will have the GBBs in stock. I've been put on their waiting list, but have been told it could take 1-2 months for it to come in (I'm so paranoid I gave them the wrong phone number or that they'll forget to call!)

Still, I am eager to start setting up its enclosure. I ordered this one: the Exo Terra Glass Terrarium Kit, Mini Wide, 12x12x12

It arrived yesterday, and is larger than I mentally pictured. I think this will be a good size for when it's fully grown, but am worried that if it will be coming in as a sling it might be too big. From what I've seen, it looks like most people keep their slings in small, plastic boxes, and I've read that keeping them in smaller containers while they're young is preferable. Can I make it more fit for the sling by adding in 1-2 hides? Also, should I refrain from putting in too large of branches or twigs, like ones that reach the top of the enclosure? I know that they are terrestrial tarantulas that may also enjoy climbing a bit, but I'm afraid that at its smaller size this might pose a hazard if it were to fall.

How important is the type of substrate? I saw a "premium," dry tarantula substrate mix at the local shop, but when I search online it looks like most people use a coconut fiber substrate. Can I mix this in with the other tarantula substrate or should I stick to one type? For humidity: I know that this species needs to be kept in an arid enclosure but have also read of another user on here making a small hole in the substrate, filling it with water, then letting it absorb into the surrounding area to create a small section of moisture for the T as they suggest having more humidity when the T is younger. Where would be the best place in the enclosure to put this section of humidity? I'm thinking that putting it in or next to the hides would be too much humidity, but that it still should be in an area where the T is likely to frequent or come across?

Last question: what is the best way to feed a young GBB? Would it be best to cut feeder crickets into small pieces?

Thanks for all of your help!

That tank will work if you have an adult. Too large for a sling (there are reasons for this, but box size by itself doesn't kill nor stress out Ts), it will die likely esp in a beginners hands, assuming you are.

Don't know the size of your sling- how can we suggest what to put it in????

They are terrestrials.

I use cocofiber, can mix it if you want.

I've raised GBBs. I've never ever kept them moist. They live in xeric conditions.

I feed my Ts live prey. Other options possible.

 

[RoachCoach]

As far as enclosure size, I don't believe it is the sheer size that stresses them out more than it is the newer keepers ability to maintain optimal conditions in an unnecessarily large enclosure. Some slings can do great in ashy elbow conditions. Some won't. Not even throwing in that some species require more or less. Slings just do in general. The exponential difficulty in maintaining a 12x12 vs a 2x2 is... exponential. Some few psychos here could easily keep a 2mm sling in a 20 gallon long. Most of us probably can't. Why jump off the tallest diving board when there are 2 other shorter ones right next to it?

 

[8 legged]

The reasons for not wanting a larger enclosure have absolutely nothing to do with stress. Stress is an over-blown concern 99% of the time. If stress killed them they would have been extinct millions of years ago...lol.

Thank you for this knowledge! I see it the same way - the only ones who are stressed are human beings, the spider usually doesn't care at all!

 

[TheHound]

Firstly, welcome to the hobbit.

"In a hole in the ground there lived a tarantula."

 

[Smotzer]

How important is the type of substrate?

Dont get suckered into buying those premium substrates, plain peat moss, coco fiber, or topsoil is all you or they will ever need. All you want to make sure which is super important is that the products you use are 100% products and contain to additives (chemicals, wetting agents, fertilizers etc. ). It really comes down to preference on substrate, and you can make your own mixes in time, I make different mixes for different invertebrates. But my Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens (the name you should be getting used to using) has been on bone dry peat moss since like 2i. Im a peat guy but that doesnt make it any more right or wrong than other options.

 

[llunallilac]

Don't know the size of your sling- how can we suggest what to put it in????

Other people were able to suggest other enclosure styles and sizes for slings, like a deli cup, critter box, or hobby car model display boxes.

Where do you read this? We hear this one a lot.

I've heard it everywhere lol, from articles I've read online, to videos on YouTube, I think I've even read it several times on this website, too haha-- it always confused me hearing that, because like you said, I don't think slings would be lasting long in the wild if "stress" was such a large concern.

Thank you for all of the thorough information you provided! I have a good understanding now, so I appreciate that a lot. Guess I'll have to find something else to go in the Exo Terra for the time-being.

 

[Smotzer]

Other people were able to suggest other enclosure styles and sizes for slings, like a deli cup, critter box, or hobby car model display boxes.

Looks like you are in thhe US. The Container Store is a great place to get a sling enclosures for cheap if you want something better looking than a deli cup, but a deli cup also works perfectly. The first thing I put my GBB in was an approx with some give 3x3x3 amac box. and it stayed in there till about 2-2.5in.

 

[llunallilac]

Looks like you are in thhe US. The Container Store is a great place to get a sling enclosures for cheap if you want something better looking than a deli cup, but a deli cup also works perfectly. The first thing I put my GBB in was an approx with some give 3x3x3 amac box. and it stayed in there till about 2-2.5in.

I looked it up and saw that The Container Store was selling these for really cheap; that's an awesome resource to be aware of, so thank you.

 

[Frogdaddy]

This is a 16oz. container I started my C. cyanopubescens in. When I received this sling in Oct. 2020 it was maybe 1/2" DLS. Dry substrate, anchor points, water dish easy set up.



Same enclosure, spider, now 1.5" is hiding.

 

[viper69]

Other people were able to suggest other enclosure styles and sizes for slings, like a deli cup, critter box, or hobby car model display boxes.

Ok- and each of those boxes Id use for a different size GBB.

 

[llunallilac]

Ok- and each of those boxes Id use for a different size GBB.

Ok- and I'm sure there wouldn't be too crazy of a list of possible enclosures for slings smaller than 2 inches.

This is a 16oz. container I started my C. cyanopubescens in. When I received this sling in Oct. 2020 it was maybe 1/2" DLS. Dry substrate, anchor points, water dish easy set up.

View attachment 386355

Same enclosure, spider, now 1.5" is hiding.
View attachment 386356

Awesome! Thanks for sharing pictures Love to see how simple and easy setting up an enclosure for a sling can be haha

 

[viper69]

Ok- and I'm sure there wouldn't be too crazy of a list of possible enclosures for slings smaller than 2 inches.



Awesome! Thanks for sharing pictures Love to see how simple and easy setting up an enclosure for a sling can be haha

Now that you provided specific information, I am able to provide you a specific answer.

I would use an AMAC box or a KK box. AMAC makes a decent 4" by 4" box that would work. I recommend the low profile lid vs the one which has a tall lid.

Or you could use anything else that fits that size, provided you have a good lid that doesn't disturb the T too much IME.

 

[Matt Man]

I prefer a ledge hide on one side of the tank with some branches at the mouth of it. The GBB will build a porch / foyer\

 

[Frogdaddy]

I prefer a ledge hide on one side of the tank with some branches at the mouth of it. The GBB will build a porch / foyer\ View attachment 386385

What do you mean by ledge hide?