Is this normal?

[Dayners666]

This is the second time I'm seeing my versicolor on the bottom of the enclosure and on its side. I've also attached an image of the enclosure from the back. Should I be worried or is it in pre molt? I've only had it a week and it ate a whole mealworm when I first brought it home and a cricket earlier this week. It has a nice full abdomen and I've been keeping the substrate moist as well as a water dish and misting the enclosure mainly the webbing. This is my sweetest and most expensiveT and I will be devastated if I lose it so I'm really hoping it's in pre molt

 

[jrh3]

I would stop misting it. Does the enclosure have any cross ventilation?

 

[Dayners666]

I would stop misting it. Does the enclosure have any cross ventilation?

Yes. It's a zilla arboreal micro habitat

I only mist every couple days when it looks too dry

 

[jrh3]

I only mist every couple days when it looks too dry

I never mist, just a water dish and overflow it to keep a moist area in the sub is fine for this species.

Yes. It's a zilla arboreal micro habitat

I think those only have a few slots at the top. Too much moisture and lack of ventilation is what kills most of them.

 

[Dayners666]

Here are more photos of the enclosure

 

[jrh3]

All the versicolor I ever had would build webbing to molt in. I would definitely stop misting and see if that helps. Do you have the tools to drill a few small holes around the bottom at the substrate level? This will help remove and stagnant air at the bottom.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Stop misting, the water dish provides plenty of humidity. If you can't add ventilation, turn a fan on in the room to facilitate airflow. Don't direct it ON the enclosure, but make sure it's in the flow. There shouldn't be condensation on the walls like that. Stagnation is a killer for them.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I third the “stop misting” and install a water dish higher up. Also, where are the leaves up top for her to make web tunnels in (which is also where your ventilation is)?

Read this thread for the best advice (Caribena versicolor we’re once Avicularia versicolor)

Avicularia Husbandry?

Hi! I'm new to the forum and am unsure if this is the right place for this, but I was wondering if there's anything I should know in advance before purchasing an Avicularia genus? (specifically, I have my eye on some a. metallica slings) I've done some reading, but being that I've only ever had...

arachnoboards.com

 

[Dayners666]

All the versicolor I ever had would build webbing to molt in. I would definitely stop misting and see if that helps. Do you have the tools to drill a few small holes around the bottom at the substrate level? This will help remove and stagnant air at the bottom.

I have a soldering iron

Stop misting, the water dish provides plenty of humidity. If you can't add ventilation, turn a fan on in the room to facilitate airflow. Don't direct it ON the enclosure, but make sure it's in the flow. There shouldn't be condensation on the walls like that. Stagnation is a killer for them.

The condensation is from me just misting earlier. Also I just added more ventilation with my soldering tool

I third the “stop misting” and install a water dish higher up. Also, where are the leaves up top for her to make web tunnels in (which is also where your ventilation is)?

Read this thread for the best advice (Caribena versicolor we’re once Avicularia versicolor)

Avicularia Husbandry?

Hi! I'm new to the forum and am unsure if this is the right place for this, but I was wondering if there's anything I should know in advance before purchasing an Avicularia genus? (specifically, I have my eye on some a. metallica slings) I've done some reading, but being that I've only ever had...

arachnoboards.com

I added more ventilation on both sides

 

[darkness975]

This is the second time I'm seeing my versicolor on the bottom of the enclosure and on its side. I've also attached an image of the enclosure from the back. Should I be worried or is it in pre molt? I've only had it a week and it ate a whole mealworm when I first brought it home and a cricket earlier this week. It has a nice full abdomen and I've been keeping the substrate moist as well as a water dish and misting the enclosure mainly the webbing. This is my sweetest and most expensiveT and I will be devastated if I lose it so I'm really hoping it's in pre molt
View attachment 459097 View attachment 459098

The thread posted by @IntermittentSygnal is one of the best for most of the beginning Avic keeper's inquiries.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

The thread posted by @IntermittentSygnal is one of the best for most of the beginning Avic keeper's inquiries.

The sticky in signature of @viper69 is a wealth of priceless information as well. Well worth a bookmark, if you're just getting into them.

 

[viper69]

This is the second time I'm seeing my versicolor on the bottom of the enclosure and on its side. I've also attached an image of the enclosure from the back. Should I be worried or is it in pre molt? I've only had it a week and it ate a whole mealworm when I first brought it home and a cricket earlier this week. It has a nice full abdomen and I've been keeping the substrate moist as well as a water dish and misting the enclosure mainly the webbing. This is my sweetest and most expensiveT and I will be devastated if I lose it so I'm really hoping it's in pre molt
View attachment 459097 View attachment 459098

i wouldn't be worried at all YET.

Your Ts seems to have made shelter at sub level, or near it based on webbing above perhaps-only you know the history of the web. I've had a few Avics do this, but I will say it's pretty rare IME. You only need a sprinkling of sub below, of course if it's supporting your cork thats different.

Your sub is too moist, and your misting too much for my liking. Never used those setups so if your setup smells a bit inside, you are killing your T.

 

[Dayners666]

i wouldn't be worried at all YET.

Your Ts seems to have made shelter at sub level, or near it based on webbing above perhaps-only you know the history of the web. I've had a few Avics do this, but I will say it's pretty rare IME. You only need a sprinkling of sub below, of course if it's supporting your cork thats different.

Thank you so much!! Yes the substrate is holding up the cork bark and the twigs. I've also put springtails in the substrate as well

 

[viper69]

You can see how dry I keep them down below. Not all Avics drink from a dish, and some don't always use the dish, they seem to forget sorta.

Thank you so much!! Yes the substrate is holding up the cork bark and the twigs. I've also put springtails in the substrate as well

A. huriana- Sub Adult Male, Drinking

• viper69
• Jun 26, 2016
• avicularia huriana

FOR ALL THE NEW AVIC OWNERS THAT WONDER IF THERE AVIC WILL DRINK FROM A DISH ON THE SUB FLOOR!

0.0.1 A. huriana - Lunch

• viper69
• Aug 8, 2016
• 3
• huriana

0.0.1 A. huriana - Lunch

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

It should not be wet enough to need/sustain springtails.
I hope you removed the tarantula before adding more ventilation?

 

[Dayners666]

It should not be wet enough to need/sustain springtails.
I hope you removed the tarantula before adding more ventilation?

I mean....obviously I removed the spider. That's just common sense

In truth no substrate should be wet enough to sustain springtails because springtails don't require saturated substrate and spiders should never have saturated substrate. However springtails should be used when supplying a bioactive enclosure or using soil as they keep mold and other unwanted substances at a minimum

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

In truth no substrate should be wet enough to sustain springtails because springtails don't require saturated substrate and spiders should never have saturated substrate. However springtails should be used when supplying a bioactive enclosure or using soil as they keep mold and other unwanted substances at a minimum

Not true. There are moisture dependent species where moist sub is required. My E murinus has springtails..and it’s not a planted tank.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

You got yer lashin's...
...now that pretty little spider of yours is going to be JUST FINE, provided you follow the advice so beautifully badgered upon you...
Ventilation? -check
Cessation of "misting?" -check
Continued learning on the topic of bioactives? -check
You & your spider are in good shape...

 

[Dayners666]

You got yer lashin's...
...now that pretty little spider of yours is going to be JUST FINE, provided you follow the advice so beautifully badgered upon you...
Ventilation? -check
Cessation of "misting?" -check
Continued learning on the topic of bioactives? -check
You & your spider are in good shape...

Thank you

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

Continued learning on the topic of bioactives? -check

I believe it was @AphonopelmaTX that schooled me that the minute you put the tarantula into the enclosure, it makes it bioactive. And @Smotzer that taught the term “planted tank” as more appropriate and descriptive. We are all always still learning.