Thank you both! As a class we have read several informational books on Ts and it has been so fun for the kids (and me!). Speaking of misinformation ... I have heard lots of contradictions on misting. I have a water cup, should I still be misting once a week, or even more? See pics attached (I removed the log recently, as it only seemed to serve as shelter for the crickets). I also have a heating element attached to the bottom of the terrarium.
No need to mist ever with tarantulas. Avics like a dry enclosure and they’ll get most of their water from the prey. A water dish is just a safety precaution, or if you’re scared it needs water you can put a few drops on its web. Quite cool watching them drink it.
That condensation with lack of air holes will kill that T fast. DRY sub, with airholes drilled all around. I drilled mine top, middle, and low above the sub.
Ack! Lose the heating element!
I have been using the Exo Terra Mini/Tall (12" x 12" x 18") for my Avicularia avicularia, although that's a little too big for a 2" spider.
Thank you!Unfortunately, the enclosure you use isn't appropriate for an Avic. It lacks cross ventilation (which is crucial for Avics) and the mesh lid could also pose a serious risk for your T, as it could get stuck with its tarsals in there.
These threads are the ones to read for proper care of your Avic:
Avicularia care by @Venom1080
Avicularia husbandry by @viper69
Thank you! I unplugged the heating element this morning and will no longer mist. I definitely want this beautiful spider to be happy and healthy. I am going to order the Exo Terra terrarium and command soap dish. I will post photos when it is setup!I have been using the Exo Terra Mini/Tall (12" x 12" x 18") for my Avicularia avicularia, although that's a little too big for a 2" spider.
The Exo Terra Nano/Tall (8" x 8" x 12") is a better size for a 2" spider, but neither should be used without replacing or covering the mesh. (Tarantulas can get their tarsal claws stuck in mesh. While attempting to free themselves, they can lose a leg or even fall.)
When using Exo Terras, I also remove the foam backdrop. It's cheap and falls apart, and feeders invariably find their way behind it.
The downsides of Exo Terra are that they are expensive and made of glass, which prevents you from easily adding cross-ventilation.
A lot of people use less expensive, often homemade alternatives. Things like AMAC boxes can be easily modified to house tarantulas.
As far as furnishings go, as @boina mentioned, you'll want a vertical slab of cork for it to use as a hunting perch. I keep the bottom half of the enclosure bare, as Avics spend little time on the ground, and the extra cover just provides hiding places for feeders.
Instead, put lots of leafy clutter in the top half of the enclosure. They will use this for webbing and cover.
My Avicularia get these Command soap dishes (Walmart # 552371875). The mount sticks to glass, and you can lift and remove the dish for cleaning. (You just need to block the drainage hole in the bottom.) I like these dishes, because they are elevated, which Avics seem to be more likely to find, and they allow drinking from multiple positions.
You can also put a water dish on the ground if you can't find one that you can mount on the side. I've seen Avics drink from both ground and elevated dishes.
Sometimes, however, they seem to forget where their dishes are, so then I drip a little water into the webbing for them to drink. (Don't mist the enclosure. Just make a puddle in the silk.)
Really great to see teachers opening their students’ eyes to new things =) Kudos to you and wonderful that you care enough to seek the info to make your tarantula healthy and happy
Usually closing off of funnels/webs/etc indicates the T is in premolt
It will come out again when it is ready.
Thank you!Usually closing off of funnels/webs/etc indicates the T is in premolt
Humidity for molting tarantulas is a myth. They can't use moisture from the air.