how long does it take to molt?

[spidermike78]

I have a avicularia rickwesti sling. When I got home last night he looks lifeless so I thought he was molting. But when I woke up this morning he is exactly in the same way. He's not moving at all. I've had him for about three weeks. About a week after getting him home I fed him he ate and was doing fine. I'm so worried about him. I've never lost a sling before so I'm not sure what's going on. Any advice would be great thanks.

 

[ratluvr76]

I have a avicularia rickwesti sling. When I got home last night he looks lifeless so I thought he was molting. But when I woke up this morning he is exactly in the same way. He's not moving at all. I've had him for about three weeks. About a week after getting him home I fed him he ate and was doing fine. I'm so worried about him. I've never lost a sling before so I'm not sure what's going on. Any advice would be great thanks.

Is it on its back? Is it on the floor of the enclosure? Do you have a picture?

 

[spidermike78]

He's not on his back and he's is at the bottom.

 

[Blueandbluer]

He's not on his back and he's is at the bottom.

A picture would be good. Are his legs curled up under him?

 

[spidermike78]

Here's a picture of him. He very small

 

[AbraCadaver]

To be blunt, it looks like a death curl. I have seen really tiny slings molt that way up, but I find they usually don't take over night to do so. Leave him be for now, spiders do the Jesus thing from time to time.

 

[Blueandbluer]

Here's a picture of him. He very small

Definitely not looking so hot. I don't see much in the way of cross-ventilation... how have you ventilated that cup?

 

[spidermike78]

Bunch of holes in the lid

 

[lalberts9310]

Bunch of holes in the lid

Ahm yeah.. wrong setup.. avicularia should be kept on dry substrate with a water bowl and dribbling few water droplets on the substrate now and then, they can't drown.. with an occasional misting (very lightly) aprox once a week on the webbing for drinking purposes, never mist for humidity, the water bowl will take care of that.. also, you should add ventilation on the side of the cup, not the lid, they need good cross ventilation, too much ventilation on the top and none on the sides prevents any micro-climate from forming, all the humidity just escapes through the top and makes the cup stuffy at the bottom which is a death sentence to avics.. they should have anchor points such as fake leaves for webbing also..

And to be honest, that avic is in a death-curl

 

[Blueandbluer]

Bunch of holes in the lid

Ouch, yeah. I'm afraid that as Lolla said, that's a really bad situation for an avic. They're very delicate in their environmental requirements. What they need is plenty of cross-ventilation and no top vents. I killed an avic this same way back in the 90s. It's impossible to say for sure that this is what's wrong with your kid, but... hate to say it, but it's pretty likely. And it's also probably too late at this point.

If by some magic your sling recovers, please do rehouse in something with more appropriate ventilation, as well as some fauna of some sort for it to crawl up. They do not like being on the ground, it'll stress them out.

 

[cold blood]

This is exactly a perfect case as to why Avics are not good for beginners. Now op, before you stop me and say your not new, I know, I'm not saying your new or lack experience, I have no idea....but this is a case where someone WITH sling experience, set up their avic just like they had with all their previous slings only to have it end badly. Like we try to stress repeatedly, Avics are just less forgiving in terms of husbandry and even the slightest mis-step can result in a my dead avic thread.

The number one thing an Avic requires on top of everything is proper cross ventilation. Humidity is where most of the issues are caused. I see the sub is quite moist, combine this with poor ventilation or a complete lack of cross ventilation and you have just created an Avic death chamber. I'm actually surprised it lasted 3 weeks in there to be honest. Dry substrate may have saved this t, a better enclosure almost certainly would have.

Also an avic on the floor is almost always a bad thing, if they go to the floor and stay there, its generally to die. Next time around I suggest a 16oz deli cup as they are easy to ventilate and offer good visibility. Also add more for the t to climb on, its got nothing in that vial but a little stump basically. They do best with many anchor points for webbing, which is why most of us stress not only the wood to climb on, but also some fake plants. The extra "clutter" will really help a small avic get comfortable quickly as your #1 priority with a new avic should be for it to make a web tube home. The added room of the 16oz deli will also allow you to put in a small water dish, which is important as its the vessel you should be using for keeping humidity instead of watering or misting the sub.

Don't freak, you'll do better with the next attempt, it really sux to loose one, especially a cool species that's not exactly abundant in the hobby. Hopefully its not dead yet and you can pull off a turnaround, I'm certainly pulling for the little guy.

 

[lalberts9310]

Don't freak, you'll do better with the next attempt, it really sux to loose one, especially a cool species that's not exactly abundant in the hobby. Hopefully its not dead yet and you can pull off a turnaround, I'm certainly pulling for the little guy.

+1, I'm also hoping for the little fella, hopefully it can pull through.. sorry OP

 

[spidermike78]

Thanks guys. I pulled him out of there and put him in the set up you guys are talking about. Hes not looking good but I hope he can recover. I feel so guilty. Thanks for your support and concern!

 

[lalberts9310]

Thanks guys. I pulled him out of there and put him in the set up you guys are talking about. Hes not looking good but I hope he can recover. I feel so guilty. Thanks for your support and concern!

Good luck man, I hope he recovers keep us updated

 

[spidermike78]

Well the little guy didn't make it. I'm so sad. This is the first one I've lost.

 

[ratluvr76]

Well the little guy didn't make it. I'm so sad. This is the first one I've lost.

now is your chance to become a better keeper. Take what you've learned here and try again. remember to research first though.
I'm sorry the little guy didn't make it though.

 

[lalberts9310]

Sorry for your loss