Lava spider, My smallest most delicate sling :x

[Irithyllian]

So I caved and finally bought a Theraposinae sp panama, one I’ve wanted badly as of late and ordered it, however it is extremely small, now the smallest I had before this was a chilobrachys el blue, which was 1/4in at best, this lava spider couldn’t be any longer than 2mm extremely small, with the el blue I would feed it killed pinhead crickets which it took pretty often and by morning the crickets back end is sticking out the burrow, I’ve had the lava spider about a week in a vial and it hasn’t taken either of the two killed pinheads I’ve put inside one I even put right next to it’s tiny burrow.

If anyone knows much about the panama’s behavior it would be greatly appreciated, I know it’s probably early and I’m overthinking it, but it’s so delicate and being without a doubt my smallest sling, some second opinions may help put me at ease.

 

[viper69]

Owned it for a week......


With any species of T or specimen if they prey is too large the T won’t eat it. Learning what is “too large” for that T is empirically determined.

Or it’s not hungry.

Hope you got a great deal as currently they are way overpriced.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Pretty sure you can't get them at any smaller than 5mm (the two I acquired at the end of last year were in the 0.5cm - 1cm range), at that size they happily scavenge pre-killed pinhead red runner nymphs although they likely won't eat the whole thing as even a pinhead red runner is a large meal for a sling of that size. When raising <1cm slings I generally work on the basis that if a feeder isn't exactly where I left it after 24hrs then the sling has had a nibble and discarded the rest, if a feeder is exactly where I left it then it has been refused.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

With any species of T or specimen if they prey is too large the T won’t eat it. Learning what is “too large” for that T is empirically determined.

While there is no denying that any tarantula is capable of taking down prey larger than itself, and it takes experience to determine what would be too large for a tarantula to handle, someone without experience can use reasoning to determine the maximum size of prey to feed a tarantula. Considering a tarantula uses its first pairs of legs to reach out and pull its prey toward the fangs, then holds the prey underneath its body while feeding, the rule of thumb would then be to offer prey that is no larger than the carapace. Any larger, and the tarantula may struggle to grab and hold onto its food.

For tiny spiderlings, that would be impractical, but for large juveniles and adults it's a good size to start with. With tiny spiderlings, the best way to feed is to use small pre-killed insects with a cut in the body. The cut in the prey insect's body will entice stubborn eaters since they can smell their food.

 

[viper69]

While there is no denying that any tarantula is capable of taking down prey larger than itself, and it takes experience to determine what would be too large for a tarantula to handle, someone without experience can use reasoning to determine the maximum size of prey to feed a tarantula. Considering a tarantula uses its first pairs of legs to reach out and pull its prey toward the fangs, then holds the prey underneath its body while feeding, the rule of thumb would then be to offer prey that is no larger than the carapace. Any larger, and the tarantula may struggle to grab and hold onto its food.

For tiny spiderlings, that would be impractical, but for large juveniles and adults it's a good size to start with. With tiny spiderlings, the best way to feed is to use small pre-killed insects with a cut in the body. The cut in the prey insect's body will entice stubborn eaters since they can smell their food.

I knew this, and agree with this generally. IME it doesn’t always hold true with some species.

Why did you reply to me?

 

[Irithyllian]

Pretty sure you can't get them at any smaller than 5mm (the two I acquired at the end of last year were in the 0.5cm - 1cm range), at that size they happily scavenge pre-killed pinhead red runner nymphs although they likely won't eat the whole thing as even a pinhead red runner is a large meal for a sling of that size. When raising <1cm slings I generally work on the basis that if a feeder isn't exactly where I left it after 24hrs then the sling has had a nibble and discarded the rest, if a feeder is exactly where I left it then it has been refused.

You are probably right 2mm is a rough approximation but it’s diagonal leg span would be lucky to be as long as my pinky nail, and alright, they didn’t seem to move at all to me, maybe it is in a premolt.

I’ll have to make a small incision on the cricket and see if that does make the T recognize what it is.

Owned it for a week......

Did yours die? :c how big was it?

 

[viper69]

Did yours die? :c how big was it?

I was referring to you.

 

[Edan bandoot]

While there is no denying that any tarantula is capable of taking down prey larger than itself, and it takes experience to determine what would be too large for a tarantula to handle, someone without experience can use reasoning to determine the maximum size of prey to feed a tarantula. Considering a tarantula uses its first pairs of legs to reach out and pull its prey toward the fangs, then holds the prey underneath its body while feeding, the rule of thumb would then be to offer prey that is no larger than the carapace. Any larger, and the tarantula may struggle to grab and hold onto its food.

For tiny spiderlings, that would be impractical, but for large juveniles and adults it's a good size to start with. With tiny spiderlings, the best way to feed is to use small pre-killed insects with a cut in the body. The cut in the prey insect's body will entice stubborn eaters since they can smell their food.

Can tarantulas actually smell or was that just a euphemism

 

[sasker]

Did yours die? :c how big was it?

He meant: you have it for a week. It is too early to worry about a tarantula not eating for a week, regardless the size of the sling.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Can tarantulas actually smell or was that just a euphemism

They have chemoreceptive setae which basically allow them to smell/taste things.

 

[Irithyllian]

I was referring to you.

Ah! I see!