H. Gigas sling care

[Benson1990]

So I unexpectedly got a free tarantula thrown in with a recent order, it's a H.Gigas and Im struggling to find info on sling care.

Im looking for opinions on how to keep, I know these are obligate burrowers so need depth, I'm currently keeping mine in this.

Its substrate is a soil/clay mix thats moist with a water dish, I have no room to fit a hide in so went without.

I was considering just moving it to a standard deli cup but then it would lack the depth, would a couple of inches of substrate be good at this size? it's pretty tiny only about 2cm id say.

Thoughts?

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Seems ok. The hide at such a size stage isn't necessarily at all. Keep in mind that, as slings, basically (almost) every T's tend to burrow, that's how they survive. Keep the substrate moist but never too wet. Really important is ventilation, you need to avoid stagnant air.

When juve/adults, the care is the same, just add the hide.

 

[Smotzer]

You could easily also keep it in a deli cup or something similar, you didn’t say how big the sling was(freebies usually are small). I prefer do this with to mitigate super deep burrowing and disappearing/hiding for longer periods.

 

[korg]

Looks fine to me. This genus is very hardy in my experience, so I don't think you'll have any problems... I'd be surprised if your gigas hasn't already just burrowed to the bottom of that vial! They don't need a hide, water dish, or much horizontal space. They dig amazing burrows and eat/grow like crazy, though. Some of my favorite tarantulas!

 

[EtienneN]

For moisture dependent or moisture preferred species I like to say you want the substrate to look and feel like the consistency of a moist fudge brownie if that helps. Substrate depth should be fine at around 1-2 inches for a sling.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

I was considering just moving it to a standard deli cup but then it would lack the depth, would a couple of inches of substrate be good at this size? it's pretty tiny only about 2cm id say.

It's fine, once they hit the bottom (which they will regardless of how much depth you give them) they'll continue to dig horizontally. I initially housed mine in a 10oz deli but moved it to a taller square food storage container after a moult or two IIRC.