Some help from experienced Blondi keepers

[freetosting]

ok, I just need a little help. My blondi is about 5.5 inches big. The humidity is high, and the temp is pretty high to. Now I keep him in my closest with my other arachnids. I have a heat light that I hang about 3 feet from the top of all there cages. I lay a damp paper towel over her cage. Now, she still site by her water dish all day. This has gone on for about a week. The humidity is really high and the heat is pretty high to, is it possible that the temp may be to high. She has a hideout that I rarely ever see her in. She is always out, day and night. Is this normal behavior or what. I wold just like some helpful information from some ppl who have kept Blondi's, I ask Blondi's because they require more care then a lot of T's. Thnx for your guys help. Peace.

 

[belewfripp]

What's the temp? Some people have reported certain Ts needing particular temps, but the ones I have kept, including T. blondi, generally are fine anywhere between 70-80 degrees. If it is hotter than that, it may or may not have anything to do with the water dish behavior but heat + humidity = stuffy and you may want to consider altering that aspect. What is the exact humidity inside, anyway? As long as the spider seems otherwise healthy and the tank is not bone dry (goliaths can live in a dry environment but in my experience they have to be acclimated to it over time) and the temp is not outrageously hot (90 +) I wouldn't worry too much. Perhaps someone else has a better idea what the deal is.


Adrian

 

[Botar]

My T room is kept between 75 and 80 degrees with humidity around 60%. I keep the peat in my T. blondi cages damp, but not wet. They have about 6" of damp peat in their enclosures and they can burrow down to a level of humidity that suits them. Although my research is not scientific, I had molt problems with my first two T. blondi and I've not had any problems since I've set them up this way. Good luck.

Botar

 

[Crotalus]

Have you checked the cage substrate so it isnt infested with mites? Does she eat?
Check temp as belewfripp wrote.
As Botar writes below, I more or less kept my blondi´s like that aswell. Thick layer of moist peat, and a large water dish. Temp around 75-80F and I poured water on the peat when needed. Never had any mite problems or molt problems. The cage was quite large and well ventilated.

/Lelle

 

[freetosting]

I keep the temp in the room about 85 degrees, or around there and the humidity reaches anywhere from 80 to 85%. There isnt any mites or anything like that. Although I did add some peat moss recently to his subsrate. Is it possible he may not like the peat moss and stays away from it. I keep a large water dish with the soil damp but not wet.

 

[MizM]

Crotalus, I notice that you have a lot of plants/logs in the cage. I didn't put ANYTHING in my 10" blondi's cage, should I give her some "forest"?

 

[Crotalus]

Originally posted by MizM
Crotalus, I notice that you have a lot of plants/logs in the cage. I didn't put ANYTHING in my 10" blondi's cage, should I give her some "forest"?

Thats more that I like larger cages decorated. Im sure a blondi thriwe in a simple set up with just peat and a slab of cork, but it looks boring to me.
Just make sure the roots and other decorations are away from the cage sides in case the spider climbs and fall.

/Lelle

 

[MizM]

Thanks! It IS very beautiful.... dos she hide under the plants and things?