P. Striata Care Sheet

[deflorate676]

I've been doing some research on Poecis and their care. In this case, the Mysore. I've found many varying care sheets so I'm coming to you guys and gals who have experience with the Striata.
The most consistent requirement is enclosure height versus length for obvisous reasons. Some sheets suggest keeping the enclosure at 75-80% humidity with a fairly dry sub and around 74-80 degrees f. Others say 70-75% humidity, light misting weekly, and 72-75 degrees f. I've read keepers have lost their Ts due to keeping them too wet or their enclosure was too hot. I know there are a lot of variables to consider.
Just looking for some insight! I'd really appreciate it.

 

[MikeC]

First off, do you have one already? I'm assuming not, but I'd just want to make sure.
If so, what size? That changes care requirements a little bit.

Slings would do best kept on slightly moist, but not damp substrate. Mixing sphagnum moss in with coco coir helps hold moisture in the substrate. Have a piece of vertical corkbark, or even better, a cork tube in the enclosure. Some leaves to take up space in the top isn't a bad idea either. Sings tend to burrow quite a bit, and will slowly incorporate the burrow into a vertical tube decorated with bits of substrate. They're a pretty flighty genus, so having some secure place to run to is always nice. Added benefit, it makes them more comfortable to roam the enclosure so you'll see them more.

Subadults and adults can be kept in fairly dry cages with an adequately sized (and always filled) water dish. You should pour a bit of water directly into the substrate as well. Best method I've found was to pick a corner of the cage and pour there, next time picking a different corner. Rotating the wet spots help inhibit mold growth, as well as waiting until the substrate is almost completely dry. My adults prefer cork tubes to cork bark slabs once they start hitting bigger sizes, but as long as there's plenty of stuff to anchor web to, they put up some neat looking dirt curtains.

Specific humidity requirements are a bit misleading. I'd much rather let it have access to a water dish than try and worry about humidity gauges and such. The effectiveness of misting is a bit of a fallacy as well, it does little to raise any long-term humidity since almost all of it evaporates too quickly. Room temp is generally fine for most spiders, although slings like it a bit warmer. If you're comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt, the spider's usually good.


Side note: good choice on a Striata. Was my first Poecilotheria, and still remains one of my favorites.

 

[deflorate676]

Hey! Thank you very much for this. Very informative. I actually do not have one, but I have been eyeing a subadult at an exotic pet shop near me. I believe it is a female as well! And for 60 dollars, I think she would be a steal. But I know Poecis have somewhat of a bad rep along with being owts. Still, they are extremely beautiful. It's difficult not to want to collect such a stunning T.
Anyway, I digress. I have a cork tube and 6.5 gallon high enclosure waiting for her with coco fiber sub. Great take on the misting as well. I very rarely mist my C. Cyaneopubescens enclosure, but when I do it evaporates quite quickly. No real effect on relative humidity, as it should be.
Thank you again, though! If I do end up grabbing her this weekend, I will update with pics!

 

[cold blood]

In the future, disregard so called "care-sheets", they're generally worthless, misleading and often times just plain wrong.

Some say 70-75% humidity and others 75-80%...huh?:wall: 72-75 degrees versus 74-80 degrees...huh? :wall:

This is the exact kind of misleading and inaccurate info that gets people into trouble. There is no reason to ever need to maintain a constant humidity OR temp level for any species of spider. These things fluctuate constantly everywhere unless you are in a sealed lab or perhaps a bubble or biodome (all unnatural places, therefore devoid of any naturally occurring tarantulas). Humidity % isn't something that EVER needs to be measured, much less meticulously maintained. Hygrometers have no place with ts IMO. On top of that, they're notoriously inaccurate, which very often leads people following care sheets to soak enclosures till their new toy gives them the "magic" number they seek, often by then the conditions have turned tragic.....there is never a magic number btw.

Keep all poecs with a water dish and LIGHTLY dampened substrate, allowing it to occasionally dry. Poecs, like nearly all Asian ts, prefer slightly moist to dry, but poecs are generally much more tolerant of dry conditions and many have had success keeping them dry, although it wouldn't be my personal suggestion, especially if you plan to breed.

As for temps, all those "conflicting" numbers are essentially the same to a t....keep slings over 70 at minimum...juvies and adult poecs can be kept 68 into the 90's. There are 2 kinds of poec, lower elevations and higher elevation species. High elevation species are less tolerant of warmer temps and more tolerant of cooler temps into the low 60's...conversely, low elevation species are more tolerant of heat and less tolerant of colder temps...temps should be kept at least close to 70, preferably warmer and can deal with temps in the 90's for extended periods of time. Striata is a low elevation species.

Being arboreal, they should always have good cross ventilation available, this is more important than the worries care sheets saddle you with...yet most care sheets neglect to mention ventilation at all.:wall:

People lose them because they blindly follow care sheets.

 

[deflorate676]

I completely agree with the misleading nature of "care sheets", hence my post. The lack of consistency when it comes to cross information, especially when referencing, in this case, low and high elevation species is unforgivable. I've also begrudgingly watched horrific care/transfer videos that have me nearly screaming "use a catch cup!!!" while the owner "handles" the T with one hand and tries to film with the other. But anyway, back on topic. I think you pretty much voiced what PTX was saying and then some.
I do appreciate your insight on my posts. You're always very helpful, blood.
I can see your passion for the hobby through your posts Hana It's inspiring.