S. Raja Care

[Fritzthecat]

This is my first post so please be gentle

Anyways, about a week and a half ago I got a Sahydroaraneus raja sling. It seems to be doing well, eating and I believe it is currently in premolt as it has buried itself ( I know they are fossorial but it's sealed the entrance to its burrow) Looking online I haven't found much available about their care, other than them being moisture dependent and obligate burrows.

Has anyone else kept this species and what's worked for you?

 

[viper69]

Quite a few have these. Almost bought a couple of these blue dwarfs.

Sahydroaraneus raja (Gravely, 1915)

India

www.tarantupedia.com

 

[NMTs]

Keep them in an enclosure with deep substrate so they can burrow, but make sure there's enough room at the top for them to pile up excavations or else they'll pile it up all the way to the lid. If you make a starter burrow in a corner up against the side of the enclosure where you can see it, they'll likely adopt it and then you'll have a view into their burrow. Keep a water dish in the enclosure and make sure it's full. They'll fill it with dirt eventually, so you'll have to work to keep it clean and accessible. Sub should be moist, but not soggy, and more moisture should be available at the lower levels. They tend to like temps a little on the warmer side but will do fine in the low to mid 70's up to low 80's Fahrenheit.

I really love this species - they are always busy, eat voraciously, and although they're fossorial, mine tend to spend a lot of time out where they can be seen.

Post pics of your enclosure if you want any specific feedback.

 

[viper69]

Keep them in an enclosure with deep substrate so they can burrow, but make sure there's enough room at the top for them to pile up excavations or else they'll pile it up all the way to the lid. If you make a starter burrow in a corner up against the side of the enclosure where you can see it, they'll likely adopt it and then you'll have a view into their burrow. Keep a water dish in the enclosure and make sure it's full. They'll fill it with dirt eventually, so you'll have to work to keep it clean and accessible. Sub should be moist, but not soggy, and more moisture should be available at the lower levels. They tend to like temps a little on the warmer side but will do fine in the low to mid 70's up to low 80's Fahrenheit.

I really love this species - they are always busy, eat voraciously, and although they're fossorial, mine tend to spend a lot of time out where they can be seen.

Post pics of your enclosure if you want any specific feedback.

Didnt know they were often busy? Maybe I’ll reconsider….

 

[NMTs]

Didnt know they were often busy? Maybe I’ll reconsider….

My little one is always expanding it's burrow, rearranging something, or just exploring it's enclosure. Also, it doesn't hunt like a typical fossorial, with feet hanging out a hole to grab whatever walks by - I've literally had it chasing a cricket in circles around the enclosure. It's still very young so that may change with age, but it's fun for now!

 

[viper69]

My little one is always expanding it's burrow, rearranging something, or just exploring it's enclosure. Also, it doesn't hunt like a typical fossorial, with feet hanging out a hole to grab whatever walks by - I've literally had it chasing a cricket in circles around the enclosure. It's still very young so that may change with age, but it's fun for now!

Interest grows!

 

[arthurliuyz]

Sahydroaraneus Raja Care Sheet Creation

I have looked and looked for a care sheet for these guys to no avail. So, if anyone has any info to add to little info that's out there it would be appreciated. Moisture- I noticed when I first housed mine I kept it dry (for a few days) I found her curled up on the one spot that had water on...

arachnoboards.com

 

[Fritzthecat]

Keep them in an enclosure with deep substrate so they can burrow, but make sure there's enough room at the top for them to pile up excavations or else they'll pile it up all the way to the lid. If you make a starter burrow in a corner up against the side of the enclosure where you can see it, they'll likely adopt it and then you'll have a view into their burrow. Keep a water dish in the enclosure and make sure it's full. They'll fill it with dirt eventually, so you'll have to work to keep it clean and accessible. Sub should be moist, but not soggy, and more moisture should be available at the lower levels. They tend to like temps a little on the warmer side but will do fine in the low to mid 70's up to low 80's Fahrenheit.

I really love this species - they are always busy, eat voraciously, and although they're fossorial, mine tend to spend a lot of time out where they can be seen.

Post pics of your enclosure if you want any specific feedback.

 

[Fritzthecat]

Thank you! I'm going to follow your approach. The fact the T is active leans towards you using the proper care and I really wanted to add them to my collection for some time. It was just a bit scary considering the lack of information available on their care, but I'm so glad I did

 

[NMTs]

Thank you! I'm going to follow your approach. The fact the T is active leans towards you using the proper care and I really wanted to add them to my collection for some time. It was just a bit scary considering the lack of information available on their care, but I'm so glad I did

I'm not an expert on them by any means, but mine seems to be thriving in these conditions. If you get one, I think you'll be happy with it. I don't know if you're getting a sling or one that's a little older, but remember that they are a dwarf species - which means that slings are TINY... My sling was less than 1/4" when I got it, but it's already over 1/2" now and getting ready to molt again (not bad for close to 4 months of growth).

Here are some pics:


Current enclosure:


Really looking forward to seeing if it starts to show more blue after it molts next, which should be in the next week at most.

If you do get one, please post pics of the T and it's enclosure for us to enjoy!

 

[Fritzthecat]

I'm not an expert on them by any means, but mine seems to be thriving in these conditions. If you get one, I think you'll be happy with it. I don't know if you're getting a sling or one that's a little older, but remember that they are a dwarf species - which means that slings are TINY... My sling was less than 1/4" when I got it, but it's already over 1/2" now and getting ready to molt again (not bad for close to 4 months of growth).

Here are some pics:
View attachment 420746 View attachment 420747

Current enclosure:
View attachment 420749

Really looking forward to seeing if it starts to show more blue after it molts next, which should be in the next week at most.

If you do get one, please post pics of the T and it's enclosure for us to enjoy!

Sorry for the very late response, but I've had mine for about two months now and it's doing just fine Today I did a very small upgrade and put it into a slightly larger bottle from the vial it originally came in and I'm not sure if you can see it, but it's shoved itself in the premade Burrow I placed in the corner. They're such a cool species, mine is always digging, I would see it moving around in the little peephole it left at the side of its enclosure and it was always moving around, and hunting? Oddly it preferred prey that would dig to its level rather than hunt above ground which I found interesting.