GBB and Avicularia juruensis humidity level and husbandry

[A Geniculata]

well its mostly in the title but ive been nervous for 3 days now because one of my tarantulas died (bad molt 1 leg got stuck in the excuv for 12 hours), I feel like its the humidity level although i mist his enclosure every 2-3 days but every 2nd day i always observe that his substrate is a bit dry even when i added sphagnum moss for humidity(i think it dries up fast because i added a lot of ventilation holes to his enclosure)
now im worried that all of my tarantulas are at risk of dying of bad molt so i adjusted their enclosure plugging up the ventilation holes in 1 side so it stays moist BUT in GBB and Avicularia juruensis they thrive in dry or arid places. I added waterdish to their enclosure is that enough? or should i mist their enclosure as well?

 

[viper69]

BUT in GBB and Avicularia juruensis they thrive in dry or arid places

GBB come from very xeric areas true
Avic jurensis doesn’t, tropical rainforests

People keep Avics mostly dry because they can’t replicate tropical rainforests at home- so they increase ventilation holes. Moist stuffy boxes kill Avics fast.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Post pics of the setup.

Avicularia/Caribena: How to create an enclosure for slings.

Before I start, I need to say that this is the method that works best for me when keeping half inch slings. I see so many new people on this forum ask "How do I set up an enclosure for a my Avicularia/Caribena sling?" Hopefully this will help. What you will need: A drill, a 1/16" drill bit...

arachnoboards.com

 

[A Geniculata]

oh okay so avics can also thrive in rainforests
its confusing to search about avics because the first time researched it said that they like really high humidity and high ventilation, so in my enclosure i added a lot of ventilation holes 3 walls(top to bottom near the substrate) and i used invertesubs for substrate because its for high humidity
but then someone said its a myth and high humidity is what kills Avics
ill adjust his enclosure right now maybe its why he is still not molting when its over a month since i got him (he is only 2-2.5 cm or 1 inch DLS so like most of my Ts that size i expected him to molt every 4-5 weeks)

 

[Andrew Clayton]

he is only 2-2.5 cm or 1 inch DLS so like most of my Ts that size i expected him to molt every 4-5 weeks)

That's not how Tarantula growth works, there are far to many variables to judge something like that.

 

[viper69]

oh okay so avics can also thrive in rainforests
its confusing to search about avics because the first time researched it said that they like really high humidity and high ventilation, so in my enclosure i added a lot of ventilation holes 3 walls(top to bottom near the substrate) and i used invertesubs for substrate because its for high humidity
but then someone said its a myth and high humidity is what kills Avics
ill adjust his enclosure right now maybe its why he is still not molting when its over a month since i got him (he is only 2-2.5 cm or 1 inch DLS so like most of my Ts that size i expected him to molt every 4-5 weeks)

some critical thinking is needed here, if high humidity kills Avics then why don’t they drop out of trees and die…

So what does this tell you… think and get back

That's not how Tarantula growth works, there are far to many variables to judge something like that.

You mean all animals don’t grow the same rates, no wayyyyy. That’s some Nobe Prize winning stuff

 

[Andrew Clayton]

You mean all animals don’t grow the same rates, no wayyyyy. That’s some Nobe Prize winning stuff

Thank you, I don't understand why they don't see it. Hopefully get it this year, and I will give you a shout out

 

[Gevo]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's very unlikely that too much ventilation killed your one tarantula. For most species, it's better to have lots of ventilation and have to moisten a corner of the substrate more frequently than it is to plug up ventilation and risk making things stuffy. Remember that in nature, air is circulating constantly, even in very humid environments. In captivity, these animals are living in boxes (enclosures) in boxes (houses).

A bad molt can result from too little internal hydration, meaning that they didn't have sufficient fluid to pump between their new and old exoskeletons and to get them through the taxing and dehydrating process of molting. I'm not saying that's what happened to yours, but if hydration is a molting problem, it's usually that as opposed to there not being enough humidity in the air. And, my understanding with moisture levels in the tank is that it's more related to their efficiency in breathing through their book lungs. That's why stuffy, stagnant tanks can be deadly--the air is too thick for their passive air exchange to work properly.

GBBs like things very dry. I have one too, and I very rarely moisten anything in her tank. But yes, absolutely provide a water dish. I saw mine drinking from hers just the other day! If yours is webbing over the water dish and making it hard to keep filled, add some droplets to the webbing every now and again (best to do with a water dropper rather than a mister). They don't drink often, but when they need that internal hydration, it's important that they're able to get it. Another way I keep my tarantulas hydrated is by giving them a hornworm once in a while. Those aren't the most nutritious in terms of fat and protein, but they're a very hydrating feeder to offer. That's not a necessity, but it's something I do.

 

[viper69]

Thank you, I don't understand why they don't see it. Hopefully get it this year, and I will give you a shout out

Because the vast majority do not take the time to understand- all Ts are the same, all fish are the same. It's willful ignorance on the part of the owners, and that I can't abide.

 

[cold blood]

some critical thinking is needed here, if high humidity kills Avics then why don’t they drop out of trees and die…

This is true.

But it's also true that up in the trees, breezes dry that area out vastly more (and faster) than the floor.....so while high humidity on its own isn't a killer, without excellent air movement, it will be a killer....and it's also true that they don't require high humidity....it's also true that high humidity in captivity is far more dangerous, which is why most of us tell people to avoid this potential pitfall by just keeping their avics predominantly dry.

 

[viper69]

This is true.

But it's also true that up in the trees, breezes dry that area out vastly more (and faster) than the floor.....so while high humidity on its own isn't a killer, without excellent air movement, it will be a killer....and it's also true that they don't require high humidity....it's also true that high humidity in captivity is far more dangerous, which is why most of us tell people to avoid this potential pitfall by just keeping their avics predominantly dry.

Completely agree. I've said the same in other ways over time in one form or another.

I left out the wind/breeze piece hoping the OP would realize this

 

[Matt Man]

humidity gradients in the canopy vary greatly from the floor, and yes, it is all mitigated by breeze / airflow.
Dank, stagnant air kills Avics and Versis, you can keep them both dry (water dish you over flow periodically) with really good airflow.
I have 2 dishes, 1 on the floor which I flood, that is mostly for Humidity and feeder water (though I have caught my Ts drinking from them) and a second one mounted high, near the mouth of the hammock for easy T access.
I have Ts living well past their average lifespan doing so. As for GBBs same. The wind on that peninsula makes it pretty arid, the only time I go moist is if I am simulating monsoon season prior to breeding