Ode to a Sling

[MrPole]

I am impatient. The fact that I am making myself wait until I finish redoing the snake room is a miracle. I really like the idea of slings. But I really hate the idea of slings.
I fear I would be shouting at the little buggers "hurry, grow, dammit"

But the strangest thing is that, when reading about or watching slings, I get this really weird, almost paternal instinct that I've never felt for a "pet" before. Thinking it has to do with their fragility.

But that got me wondering... why do you like slings? Do you have different feelings for slings than you do adults or juveniles? So consider this your Ode to a Sling. What's so great about them.

 

[HeartBum]

Something about caring for a living creature and watching it grow is extremely rewarding in my experience. So many slings look the same, so when they begin to show their adult colouration, it really is pretty exciting. They're like Pokemon evolving, so you get to keep them in their various forms

I am an extremely impatient person in all other aspects of my life. If I decide on something, it needs to be done there and then. I'm not the best when it comes to waiting for T deliveries yet, I know I (hopefully) have years with these little dudes and dudettes, and am looking forward to comparing pictures of them upon purchase, and when they hit adulthood. Actually bought a photo album

 

[BoyFromLA]

Tarantula keeping itself is literally waiting games.

• Wait to choose
• Wait to purchase
• Wait to arrive
• Wait to settle in
• Wait to feed
• Wait to molt
• Wait to rehouse
• Wait to repeat above.

But that got me wondering... why do you like slings?

You get to see it grow.

 

[cold blood]

Keep in mind, that in general, slings are far more hardy then people often give them credit for.

And also keep in mind, there are a lot of species who grow really quickly...many of these fast growing slings can molt every 24-30 days as slings. A male cambridgei sling for example, can be a full grown adult (in the 5" range) in as little as 10 months....for some species like this, the growth rates can actually be pretty astounding.

 

[mack1855]

And slings are good for keepers getting into OW,s.A .50inch P.ornata is less of a monster than that 8inch A.F with an attitude,not to mention fang size..

 

[Almadabes]

Watching them grow up is a point of pride for me.
I also enjoy their appetite and growth rate as slings.

I actually get more frustrated with my juvies in terms of waiting out molts.

My slings do get more attention from me - I feed them more often and keep them warm so they can grow a little faster.
I worry more about boluses because I keep their vials a little moist and the pinhole ventilation means mold is a definite possibility.

But all that said, I know they're not super fragile. I just baby them more.

They're also just cute - if you're into that sort of thing.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

I am disappointed that this thread contains no odes.

False advertising.

 

[Almadabes]

I am disappointed that this thread contains no odes.

False advertising.

Ode to Slings - a Haiku

oh sling, so tiny.
growing fast, eating small prey
small holes, small homes, cute.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

Ode to Slings - a Haiku

oh sling, so tiny.
growing fast, eating small prey
small holes, small homes, cute.

Nice poem, but still not an ode.
I guess I'll take what I can get.

 

[Coradams]

To raise something so alien to yourself
It is a unique challenge
Requiring an understanding of mundane experiences
That will be experienced in ways you can never imagine,
So unlike yours.

And yet they thrive
Despite clumsy attempts
All well meant
We constantly learn and improve.

They grow and change
It takes years
Mature to be bred
We start again.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

To raise something so alien to yourself
It is a unique challenge
Requiring an understanding of mundane experiences
That will be experienced in ways you can never imagine,
So unlike yours.

And yet they thrive
Despite clumsy attempts
All well meant
We constantly learn and improve.

They grow and change
It takes years
Mature to be bred
We start again.

Now THAT is an ode. Thank you.

 

[Coradams]

Wait! I forgot the most important part! Allow me to try again.

Little spiderling, nurtured and cared for
So you reach impressive size
And thus you unknowingly serve your purpose most noble
Of keeping certain relatives from asking
"Can I crash at your place for a while?"

 

[Jess S]

I am disappointed that this thread contains no odes.

False advertising.

Summoning @Poonjab !

 

[Poonjab]

Summoning @Poonjab !

?

 

[Jess S]

?

I thought of you straight away, as you have serious poetry skills, especially of the comical kind

 

[Poonjab]

I thought of you straight away, as you have serious poetry skills, especially of the comical kind

Probably can’t write a good ode, but I’ll try.

 

[Poonjab]

Little spider bro
You grow so freaking slow
Patiently I await
The changes...

Its a half past noon
The molt is coming soon
Yet you have different plans, and groooom.....

another month has passed
you’re growths gone nowhere fast
Will you ever last, the changes....

It’s been close to a year
I’m losing all my hair
Rush to arachnoboards
Making lots of posts
In fear.....

The day has finally come
I yell out to my hun
Bring the camera quick
RUN....

The carapace has popped
Like diarrhea it just can’t stop
The T is squeezing out
Like a little girl I squeal and shout.

Now let’s hang on to the magic of this moment
On this lonely night
Where the tarantulas of tomorrow dream away
In the molts that change

Not much of an ode, but for some reason when I think of my T’s molting this always pops into my mind.

 

[Jess S]

Little spider bro
You grow so freaking slow
Patiently I await
The changes...

Its a half past noon
The molt is coming soon
Yet you have different plans, and groooom.....

another month has passed
you’re growths gone nowhere fast
Will you ever last, the changes....

It’s been close to a year
I’m losing all my hair
Rush to arachnoboards
Making lots of posts
In fear.....

The day has finally come
I yell out to my hun
Bring the camera quick
RUN....

The carapace has popped
Like diarrhea it just can’t stop
The T is squeezing out
Like a little girl I squeal and shout.

Now let’s hang on to the magic of this moment
On this lonely night
Where the tarantulas of tomorrow dream away
In the molts that change

Not much of an ode, but for some reason when I think of my T’s molting this always pops into my mind.

Brill! You did not disappoint

 

[TheHound]

Thread title instantly made me think of this