How do you water a spiderling without escape?

[catfishrod69]

Just try not to compare that Lp's speed to the H. macs speed. Once that H. mac decides to show you it can move, you wont even see it happen. I still mist all of my slings. I open the cap completely and tilt the vial a little, and mist down a side, letting the water run into the substrate. Then i give a few quick squirts on the sides of the vial. I dont keep terrestrial slings in vials, so its a little easier for me.

 

[Bugmom]

Just try not to compare that Lp's speed to the H. macs speed. Once that H. mac decides to show you it can move, you wont even see it happen. I still mist all of my slings. I open the cap completely and tilt the vial a little, and mist down a side, letting the water run into the substrate. Then i give a few quick squirts on the sides of the vial. I dont keep terrestrial slings in vials, so its a little easier for me.

What DO you keep them in?

I've seen Pogo the Togo's speed. We played "chase the spider in circles" on Monday. I thought all was well when I transferred him from vial to enclosure, and right as I'm going to put the lid on, he darted out, ran around the outside of the enclosure a few times, then ducked back in, all in like, one second's time. You know, just to say, "Don't mess with me." He hides now when I walk in the room, but I swear the LP perks up, looks at me, and says, "Do you feel lucky, punk?" Well... no, not really lol.

I set up Pogo's enclosure tonight with his cork and plant and such, I think he'll be happier. He was quite cooperative this time. The LP can cool her heels in that vial for a bit longer.

 

[catfishrod69]

I keep them in small 3/4 to 1 1/4 oz condiment cups. That and i have alot of little "enclosures" i got from family dollar. Will have to get a pic of one, they are amazing terrestrial and fossorial enclosures for slings. They were 8 for $1 lol. So i got probably around 150 of them. I do have some terrestrial slings in vials right now, but only because they are leftovers from a recent sac. I do not at all like a terrestrial in a vial though. Im just picky though.

 

[Bugmom]

I don't like the vial either, it seems.... hmm... too clinical. I also don't like what I had prepared for her though, it's just a bit too big (she was smaller than I anticipated, will work great after a couple of molts).
We've got Family Dollar here (and Dollar General, and Dollar Tree lol), I'll have to swing by there tomorrow. And I'm all about cheap stuff. Me and dollar stores are best friends

I keep them in small 3/4 to 1 1/4 oz condiment cups. That and i have alot of little "enclosures" i got from family dollar. Will have to get a pic of one, they are amazing terrestrial and fossorial enclosures for slings. They were 8 for $1 lol. So i got probably around 150 of them. I do have some terrestrial slings in vials right now, but only because they are leftovers from a recent sac. I do not at all like a terrestrial in a vial though. Im just picky though.

 

[catfishrod69]

Well i absolutely LOVE vials, but only for arboreal. With fossorial its not too bad. Yeah you should totally stop by family dollar and look. They should be in a 6 or 8 pack. They are about 2" long x 1.5" wide x 1.5" tall. They are clear and have either a red or white lid. I keep slings in them until they hit around 1.5", then they are moved into larger cups. You will have to use a needle or something to poke some holes in the sides. I only poke them in the top of the sides, that way i can stack them lol. Good luck, and hope you find them.

 

[Stan Schultz]

I prefer the DQ on the west side, but that's closer to home. ...

There'as another DQ on the west side of Roswell? I'm in heaven, I'm in heaven, I'm in heaven!

... Know where the little LP hangs out? Upsidedown on the lid. Brat. ...

That's because it doesn't like the substrate so wet! Like my teenage grandson, it's very anxious to grow up. If you care for it properly, it'll have a 10" (25 cm) DLS within 3 years!

... Pogo likes the top back corner, until I walk in then he scurries down and hides. I need to glue his piece of bark in there for him. ...

No. Merely let it dry out almost completely. It'll come down to earth.

Quoted from Substrate:


"WHY DOES MY TARANTULA HANG FROM THE SIDE OF THE CAGE INSTEAD OF STANDING ON THE SUBSTRATE?"

This may also apply to burrowers that refuse to burrow. Keep in mind, however, that many tarantulas that live in burrows in nature refuse to burrow under any circumstances in captivity. And, we have no clue as to why.

There are several possible reasons why your tarantula hangs from the side of its cage. First, you must realize that in nature the tarantula's world is almost always vertical. Burrowing species most commonly live in a vertically oriented burrow and the arboreal species live in trees. Flat and horizontal is an alien environment to them. But, when we get them as pets, we immediately place them in a cage with a flat and horizontal floor like hamsters, and wonder why they aren't happy. But, they're resilient creatures with a built-in ability to adapt, and they soon come to terms with OUR little idiosyncrasies.

Another reason might be because it doesn't like the substrate. If you've recently changed the substrate it isn't familiar with the new substrate you're using and the place doesn't seem like home anymore. So it's taking the default action and hanging from the cage walls.

Or, if the substrate is still damp, it doesn't like the moisture. Reread But, It won't dry out!

Tarantulas insist on firmly packed substrate. They abhor loose, fluffy stuff that moves under their "feet," or that they sink into. Pack it hard! If your substrate of choice is too friable, you may either have to change to a different substrate, or even mix a little garden loam with your substrate to firm it up. Start with one part by volume of loam to three parts by volume of your favorite substrate. Mix it and test it. Don't be afraid to add more loam if you need to in order to make your substrate firm enough to allow solid footing and a stable burrow.

If you can find organic loam at a health food or "natural and organic" store it's better because of the low pesticide load. If not, serviceable loam is available at most garden and landscaping supplies as well as the garden departments of the larger building supplies.

For burrowers, be sure to use a deeper layer of substrate, a minimum or 1.5 to 2 times the tarantula's diagonal leg span is recommended.

Normally, it'll get over its little snit in a week or so (or when the substrate finally dries out) and return to earth for food and water. If it still hates the substrate it may cover it with a thick layer of silk.

If, after a couple weeks, it's still hanging from the cage walls you should probably change to one of the other substrates. Even then, it may take a few additional days to get over its little hissy fit. Be patient with your tarantula.

... ATTACHMENT 106420 ...

This tells me exactly what I needed to know! The container you're using is just fine just the way it is. There's no need to change it. You need to make only two minor corrections:

1) Let the substrate dry out to the point where it's almost dry. If you can squeeze moisture out of it, it's too wet. But, when you squeeze and let go, the substrate should be damp enough to hold the shape of the inside of your fist/hand. (But, a little too dry is better than a little too wet.)

2) Once you get the dampness issue under control, you need to block about 99% of the screened opening to prevent almost all ventilation. HINT: Cover the entire vent with plastic food wrap and cellophane tape. Then punch fewer than a dozen holes in the plastic with something like a paper clip wire or something just a little larger.

Then, it's "good to go" for about 3 months when it'll be large enough to require moving into a larger container. HINT: Choose a cheap, disposable container. It's going to need frequent upsizing!


(Click or right-click on the thumbnail to see a larger image.)

Enjoy your little, 8-legged, cliff-hanger!

 

[Bugmom]

Pogo is one happy Togo :biggrin: He's either climbing all over the place, as I assume arboreals tend to do, or resting under the corkbark. I love how well he blends in.

View attachment 106470

Went by Family Dollar and got the small tubs that catfishrod recommended, so the LP is in one of them now (they are awesome btw, and six for $1 is insanely cheap. Of course, having five left over, means I need five more slings to fill them lol). The substrate is neither loose nor wet, but she still hangs out by the lid off and on. I'm convinced she is just going to be my cute little headache.

They both ate last night, so all appears to be well now.

Oh and yes Stan, there's a DQ on the west side. West Second. Is better than the north one. I promise!

 

[catfishrod69]

Happy you were able to find them. Those are some awesome containers, and like you said CHEAP. Im sure your little Lp will settle down once its getting some more molts under its belt. Better find 5 more slings quick lol.

 

[Stan Schultz]

... Oh and yes Stan, there's a DQ on the west side. West Second. Is better than the north one. I promise!

Found it with Google Maps. They even have a large enough parking lot so I can park the motorhome off to one side! Yeah!

Thanks.

 

[ManilaBeans]

I had this issue with my second P.cambridgei sling. I didn't heed the warnings I read about them and how they're lightning fast. Found out the hard way by losing my first one right off the bat immediately after coming home from the seller. The second one I had to chase around my living room twice the first time I fed it. The second feeding went better but it still gave me a mini heart attack when it again escaped, ran up and around my arm, unto the side of the enclosure, then right back into it to hide under one of the silk leaves.

Here's what I observed though: now that it's already settled comfortably in its enclosure it doesn't move at all when I open the lid for feeding. It just stays right there among the thick webbing it has created all around the branches and leaves. I guess the reason why they're jumpy is that they haven't really acclimated yet. And once they make it their home and they are already comfortable in it I think the urge to escape is lessened (but I am still very careful with the cambrigei though, unlike my other species why I sometimes love watching with the lid open).

 

[RockinOutAmber]

I have cat-like reflexes. No need to worry about escapees.

What I suggest you do is find a cat for a mentor and study their ways.

 

[Theist 17]

I have cat-like reflexes. No need to worry about escapees.

What I suggest you do is find a cat for a mentor and study their ways.

Haha, I'd love to see how well those match up against an H. mac or Tappy.

 

[Arachninja]

I am so watering with a syringe now all my t's are cool so far with drops or misting but one A. versicolor only a half inch or so does not act like the others he eats fine but wont build a web and bolts for the open container as soon as it opens luckily he slows down on my hand as I hold it around the open container, and slows down to walk on me, though I dont let him because he is so fast and small, so I have watered over a big tupperware. Of couse he is the only one that came in a spice container instead of a baby food jar so I went ahead and moved him to the jar, maybe he dont like spices.