Sling Help

[Abbio]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some help with my new slings, i decided to add to my collection last week and i got myself 3 x Brachypelma bohemi and 3 x Brachypelma vagans from The Spider shop.
When i ordered my slings i came across bean weevil cultures the description said they're good for slings so i decided to try them.

All arrived safe and sound, and i decided to keep them in the container they came in for now until they grow a little, all i did was add a little substrate.

The same evening i rehoused them i decided to see if they were hungry, and all but 2 (both B. Bohemi coincidentally) pounced on the weevil, i left the others in over night but they did not fancy it and just kept running away, i removed it the next day.

3 days later i came to feed them again and most seem interested but not one made a kill a few grappled with it a little but let it go.

I tried squishing them a little and putting them back but still no interest.

So what i'm asking is am i going wrong anywhere with my enclosure etc. and is it advised that i change my food if so what should i go for ?

 

[Ant]

With the two that didn't take down the prey, just keep trying with a pre-killed weevil once or twice a week. Leave them in over night and if they haven't touched them, remove them the next day. Some slings can be real stubborn with food. I've never seen my B.Hamorii eating but I've had her several months and she's plump and healthy, so I know she's nibbling at the pre-killed cricket I put in when I'm not watching.

 

[Walker253]

Sometimes, they eat and sometimes they don't. You have to keep trying. Another thing, they may not eat bean weavils. If they won't eat one, try a cricket or a mealworm, prekilled of course.
I have 2 roach colonies, dubia and lateralis for my tarantulas. I'm at 101 tarantulas. There are about 12 that just won't eat a roach. You can't break them of it. They will starve first imo. I took a big fat OBT and tried to wait her out. After that abdomen shruck way up, I fattened her back up on crickets and crickets is all she'll eat.

 

[Abbio]

Thanks guys for all your help!

I’m not sure any of the slings have touched the pre killed weevil. So i've removed them.
Like i said the weevils are new to me but i don't think i will be buying them again!

Also one of the B.Bohemi abdomens is looking very skinny and I’m getting worried, I don’t think this one has eaten whilst in my care.

The slings i've already got which were my first purchase back in November are still going great and I never had this trouble with them and they ate live food nearly everyday.

I'm going to get a new food and try them with that i think, what do you suggest i get?

Also could you give me a little more advice on the pre killing of food. As this is completely new to me and i'm not sure if what i'm doing is correct. Should the food still be moving slightly? can you feed them a 'chunk' of prey cut from something larger.

What is the best food for a growing sling also? as i want to beef them up with the next lot i buy, i'm going on holiday for a week on the 17th and i would be a lot happier if they would have a meal before i leave!

And do these guys like any moisture should i be adding a few drops as the substrate is pretty dried up now?
If so How often should i be doing this?

 

[Ungoliant]

I'm going to get a new food and try them with that i think, what do you suggest i get?

Also could you give me a little more advice on the pre killing of food. As this is completely new to me and i'm not sure if what i'm doing is correct. Should the food still be moving slightly? can you feed them a 'chunk' of prey cut from something larger.

What is the best food for a growing sling also? as i want to beef them up with the next lot i buy

I would try small mealworms. They are great for growing slings, and most slings will eat them.

Just crush their heads with tongs and place them near your sling's burrow or hide. A mealworm with a crushed head will live for hours and will still wriggle when disturbed, but even if it lies motionless, most slings will scavenge.

Remove any uneaten prey 24 hours later.

And do these guys like any moisture should i be adding a few drops as the substrate is pretty dried up now?
If so How often should i be doing this?

For slings smaller than 1.5", I would keep part of the substrate slightly damp. I try to rotate the damp spots to prevent molt from growing.

 

[Abbio]

Ok so back to the feeding questions!
I managed to get hold of some micro crickets online but after paying for postage they arn't very cheap! i cant find them in any pet shops locally.. the slings seemed to like these so i started feeding every day coming up to my holiday, on my return all the micro crickets have died.
I decided to try meal worms as i heard that these are good for growing slings, i cut one up and popped it in each... my question is around using chopped up meal worms.... maybe i'm thinking too hard about it!
but how do you guys do it? Do you just cut the head off and give them that ? or just the middle part? or doesnt it matter?
Also how long do you leave them in the enclosure i checked on them in the morning and only one seemed to be interested.

Thanks!

 

[Paul1126]

Ok so back to the feeding questions!
I managed to get hold of some micro crickets online but after paying for postage they arn't very cheap! i cant find them in any pet shops locally.. the slings seemed to like these so i started feeding every day coming up to my holiday, on my return all the micro crickets have died.
I decided to try meal worms as i heard that these are good for growing slings, i cut one up and popped it in each... my question is around using chopped up meal worms.... maybe i'm thinking too hard about it!
but how do you guys do it? Do you just cut the head off and give them that ? or just the middle part? or doesnt it matter?
Also how long do you leave them in the enclosure i checked on them in the morning and only one seemed to be interested.

Thanks!

Just crush their heads with tongs and cut them into smaller sections depending on the size of the mealworm and sling, one of my slings won't touch anything too big.
I also leave prey in enclosure over night and if they haven't touched it I will just remove it.

 

[Venomgland]

Its also possible they may not be eating cause they could be in the early stages of pre-molt.

 

[Venomgland]

Have you watched Tom Morans Ultimate Sling Guide on Youtube? If not, definitely give it a watch.

Here is the link to Part 1

 

[Ant]

Yeah the postage costs for livefoods/insects in the UK can be quite high! I've never used mealworms but from what I can see, most people just crush the head and then chop them up. Try and keep the pieces at about the same size as the T's abdomen, some slings will get intimidated by anything bigger. If you're having no luck with the mealworms, I thoroughly recommend red runner roaches. You can get about 50 nymphs on eBay for next to nothing and none of my slings have ever turned one down.