OBT sling

[NoahThomas43]

Hi!
I got this OBT sling a few days ago and i haven’t fed it since as I was preparing an enclosure for it. My sling dug itself into a little hole in the substrate. As of right now, i don’t have a hide but plan on getting one. I understand that slings dig themselves into substrate for security reasons if they are anticipating a molt, or for whatever reason. I’m probably worrying over nothing but what are your thoughts?

 

[Venom1080]

Under 2" and it can escape from that kritter keeper.

They need water. Add a dish.

Give it a hide. Don't force it to tunnel. Even though it will probably end up doing so anyway

 

[sasker]

I am baffled that you bought an OBT as your first tarantula. I assume this is your first tarantula because anyone with a little bit of experience caring for tarantulas knows that most slings burrow and that this is not something to worry about. You should know before getting an OBT that this species like to burrow, regardless their size/age. No offense, but are you sure you are ready for this species?

 

[Andrea82]

Not a beginner Theraphosidae. Their venom, while generally not deadly, is brutal. Check out the bite reports.
http://arachnoboards.com/threads/pterinochilus-murinus.133925/

This species will go from a shy sling to a defensive as heck, lightening fast moving juvenile in just a few months. Make sure it is secure in its enclosure, you DON'T want this species escaping since it is hardy and can survive for quite some time in your house, posing a threat to all housemates.
And DON'T handle it.
Why did you pick this species?

 

[Nightstalker47]

Your setup needs some work. Provide it with a nice dark hide and water dish. The species itself shouldn't be too difficult for now, but they turn very defensive as they grow. Be prepared for that, and post some pics of your setup when you have it down.

 

[MantisRCool]

Give it water dish, hide and/or some fake leaves and sticks so it can web around make its hiding places in its enclosure. Mine makes tunnels and also webs thing that are in the enclosure so it has many choices to hide. They should be kept more dry than wet. Dont handle, dont poke them, use tweezers and u’ll be fine.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

It's not a so 'crappy' at all set up, man. Bigger? Yes. Indeed, yes. But, as a 'Pro' of that, you can let the bugger in that enclosure without moving him/her anymore (I'm saying this because only judging by those two pics you posted that KK seems to me somewhat a 'L' size).

Add a little water dish, add a piece of cork bark (or other wood, if you can't) and a couple of fake leaves for let the 'OBT' play a bit.

If the top of your KK is like mines, the spider won't manage to squeeze/escape from those pretty tight air holes (unless if 'you', Captain Obvious, doesn't close well the lid, d'oh!).

 

[NoahThomas43]

Under 2" and it can escape from that kritter keeper.

They need water. Add a dish.

Give it a hide. Don't force it to tunnel. Even though it will probably end up doing so anyway

Yea I know, I’m plannig to add water.

 

[NoahThomas43]

I am baffled that you bought an OBT as your first tarantula. I assume this is your first tarantula because anyone with a little bit of experience caring for tarantulas knows that most slings burrow and that this is not something to worry about. You should know before getting an OBT that this species like to burrow, regardless their size/age. No offense, but are you sure you are ready for this species?

Yea I figured I just wanted to make sure, I’ve owned a great deal of aggressive arachnids before. I’m used to the leg raising and bite attempts. I don’t go sticking my hand into enclosures without verifying the specimen’s location and the most safe and efficient way of handling a situation.

 

[NoahThomas43]

Your setup needs some work. Provide it with a nice dark hide and water dish. The species itself shouldn't be too difficult for now, but they turn very defensive as they grow. Be prepared for that, and post some pics of your setup when you have it down.

Yea, I was planning to add a hide and water dish. I’m used to aggressive spiders, the leg raising and innumerable bite attempts, the speed, etc. I will post pictures once I add them.

 

[Venom1080]

Oh good. Take your time. No reason to set up a proper cage before adding the spider.

What "aggressive" species have you raised then?

 

[NoahThomas43]

Not a beginner Theraphosidae. Their venom, while generally not deadly, is brutal. Check out the bite reports.
http://arachnoboards.com/threads/pterinochilus-murinus.133925/

This species will go from a shy sling to a defensive as heck, lightening fast moving juvenile in just a few months. Make sure it is secure in its enclosure, you DON'T want this species escaping since it is hardy and can survive for quite some time in your house, posing a threat to all housemates.
And DON'T handle it.
Why did you pick this species?

I’m aware of the danger of this species. I have dealt with aggressive spiders before, the leg raising and bite attempts, the speed, etc. I understand the risk and am extraordinarily careful when caring for it. This species was what was easily available to me and they are intriguing.

 

[NoahThomas43]

It's not a so 'crappy' at all set up, man. Bigger? Yes. Indeed, yes. But, as a 'Pro' of that, you can let the bugger in that enclosure without moving him/her anymore (I'm saying this because only judging by those two pics you posted that KK seems to me somewhat a 'L' size).

Add a little water dish, add a piece of cork bark (or other wood, if you can't) and a couple of fake leaves for let the 'OBT' play a bit.

If the top of your KK is like mines, the spider won't manage to squeeze/escape from those pretty tight air holes (unless if 'you', Captain Obvious, doesn't close well the lid, d'oh!).

Yea haha, and i wanted to provide a lot of room so I wouldn’t have to rehouse it much. Of course it will take time though.

 

[Devin B]

My OBT sling is constantly hiding in its burrow. It seems pretty typical of this species as slings to do so. Nothing unusual
With your experience you should have no problem with your new sling.

 

[NoahThomas43]

Oh good. Take your time. No reason to set up a proper cage before adding the spider.

What "aggressive" species have you raised then?

Arizona Black Hole Spider (Kukulcania arizonica), and spiders of that nature with the more defensive behavior rather than the skittish and evasive behavior. Of course the behavior isn’t greatly similar, but I have experienced the overly aggressive behavior and never had an issue with bites and so forth. (OBT are obviously get much larger)

 

[NoahThomas43]

My OBT sling is constantly hiding in its burrow. It seems pretty typical of this species as slings to do so. Nothing unusual
With your experience you should have no problem with your new sling.

Ok cool, thanks for your reply!

 

[Venom1080]

Arizona Black Hole Spider (Kukulcania arizonica), and spiders of that nature with the more defensive behavior rather than the skittish and evasive behavior. Of course the behavior isn’t greatly similar, but I have experienced the overly aggressive behavior and never had an issue with bites and so forth. (OBT are obviously get much larger)

Tarantulas aren't aggressive at all. You have to provoke them.

 

[Thomas Loomis]

I really enjoy OBTs. The advice on your enclosure regarding a hide is correct. This T is a lot of fun to observe and does tend to hide. They are definitely in the pet hole group.

Please post pictures as she gets older.

 

[NoahThomas43]

View attachment 262440 View attachment 262441 Hi!
I got this OBT sling a few days ago and i haven’t fed it since as I was preparing an enclosure for it. My sling dug itself into a little hole in the substrate. As of right now, i don’t have a hide but plan on getting one. I understand that slings dig themselves into substrate for security reasons if they are anticipating a molt, or for whatever reason. I’m probably worrying over nothing but what are your thoughts?

For the people saying I need a hide, in my OG post I mentioned

I really enjoy OBTs. The advice on your enclosure regarding a hide is correct. This T is a lot of fun to observe and does tend to hide. They are definitely in the pet hole group.

Please post pictures as she gets older.

Yea haha I was planning to add one, and i will!

 

[NoahThomas43]

Tarantulas aren't aggressive at all. You have to provoke them.

Yea, i completely agree. I meant defensive.