Newbie , making sure enclosure is adequate!

[Astanleyvogt1996]

I am new to the hobby , and purchased this T about a month ago. She eats well and doesn’t seem to have any issues. I did notice she was kinda sliding on the glass and almost falling from it. Sliding has stopped maybe her feet just got wet? I just want to be sure the enclosure is set up the best it can be. Species is a pink toe. Not sure about specifics. Any pointers? Tips? Bald spot on butt mean molt is coming? Sorry it’s an overload lol.

 

[ZackP1023]

The Pink Toe’s scientific name is Avicularia Avicularia. I have a juvenile pink toe.

Bald spot doesn’t necessarily mean premolt. That’s just from kicking hairs, either in self-defense or for lining a hide or burrow.

 

[Pyroxian]

I'm sure I'm merely the first of many who will say this, but that enclosure is not great, avicularia need lots of mass airflow, which doesn't happen with only top ventilation. The front-opening exo terra or zoo med enclosures can work with minor modification (replacing the screen with Plexiglas or other acrylic/Lexan etc with holes drilled for ventilation). The screen top can also be problematic as the crossed wires create pinch points which can trap the tarsal claws leading to injury. The setup looks okay, could use some fake plant leaf clutter up top around the "tree" and/or on the walls for web anchor points, but far more worrying is the lack of cross-flow ventilation. Many avic keepers use plastic jars or canisters as they are easy to add holes for ventilation. I prefer the look of an exo terra/zoo med myself.

I'd also recommend reading this thread, especially the two linked posts about Avicularia and Caribena - they're jam packed with really great information for proper husbandry of these species. And toss or any online care sheets or anything provided by a local pet store related to keeping them - almost all are better thought of as "Avicularia murder instructions" than "care sheets".

Tarantula Information for Beginners (and More)

Below are some helpful resources. (Rather than having half a dozen or more pinned threads, which clutter the top of the board, we are pinning this index.) While the focus is on beginners, there are other threads on health and more advanced species that may be useful to more experienced keepers...

arachnoboards.com

 

[Astanleyvogt1996]

I'd also recommend reading this thread, especially the two linked posts about Avicularia and Caribena - they're jam packed with really great information for proper husbandry of these species. And toss or any online care sheets or anything provided by a local pet store related to keeping them - almost all are better thought of as "Avicularia murder instructions" than "care sheets".

Tarantula Information for Beginners (and More)

Below are some helpful resources. (Rather than having half a dozen or more pinned threads, which clutter the top of the board, we are pinning this index.) While the focus is on beginners, there are other threads on health and more advanced species that may be useful to more experienced keepers...

arachnoboards.com

Noted, so cross ventilation. Replace wire screening...fake foliage. What else would you suggest I could do to make this enclosure work? This is my first T and I have to say I’m in love. I’m actually terrified of small spider so it’s a wonder to me how a T is ok lol.

 

[viper69]

I did notice she was kinda sliding on the glass and almost falling from it.

This is common in all species as they approach a molt.

 

[Astanleyvogt1996]

I'm sure I'm merely the first of many who will say this, but that enclosure is not great, avicularia need lots of mass airflow, which doesn't happen with only top ventilation. The front-opening exo terra or zoo med enclosures can work with minor modification (replacing the screen with Plexiglas or other acrylic/Lexan etc with holes drilled for ventilation). The screen top can also be problematic as the crossed wires create pinch points which can trap the tarsal claws leading to injury. The setup looks okay, could use some fake plant leaf clutter up top around the "tree" and/or on the walls for web anchor points, but far more worrying is the lack of cross-flow ventilation. Many avic keepers use plastic jars or canisters as they are easy to add holes for ventilation. I prefer the look of an exo terra/zoo med myself.

Noted. S

This is common in all species as they approach a molt.

i thought she might be in pre molt but she has still been eating every two days or so...she does have a bald spot on her butt and I don’t handle her so I’m sure she isn’t stressed...idk lol I’m pretty new at this

 

[viper69]

Noted. S

i thought she might be in pre molt but she has still been eating every two days or so...she does have a bald spot on her butt and I don’t handle her so I’m sure she isn’t stressed...idk lol I’m pretty new at this

Ive had Ts eat the day they molted.

 

[Pepper]

she has still been eating every two days or so.

This spider has a pretty big abdomen for an arboreal. Unless you're feeding something quite small, i would cut feeding back to like once a week. This may explain the sliding, and it may not. And the feeding rate is just my personal preference, not a huge issue at this stage

 

[The Grym Reaper]

i thought she might be in pre molt but she has still been eating every two days or so

You don't need to feed this often, I only feed my subadult male (around 4") once a fortnight.

 

[arctichen]

You don't need to feed this often, I only feed my subadult male (around 4") once a fortnight.

Agreed. I feed my older slings and juvies once a week, younger slings twice a week.
But as to the T, it looks like it's in premolt. Wouldn't recommend touching it right now.