Sudden death of C. Versicolor sling. Did I do something wrong?

[Chris Chrone]

I have been rearing this C. Versicolor sling since I purchased it. Since then it has molted about 2-3 times in my care. But in the last few weeks it had been refusing to eat anything I gave it, so i figured it was probably in premolt. I kept trying to feed it every couple days or so but still nothing. And eventually today I find it sitting on the ground in its enclosure, not in deathcurl, but very dead. Is there something I did wrong? I watered the enclosure whenever the soil got a bit dry. He was still too small for any prey items I could get my hands on so I gave him small freshly killed dubias in the enclosure, which he had eaten before this. I figured he had a couple more molts before I moved him out of this enclosure. It just seems so sudden, I was doing everything I normally do, and he was doing great up until these past few weeks. I've included some photos of him and the enclosure in case they can be of help. I've heard that some slings just simply dont make it, but I figured that he was progressing steadily so I wasnt worried. Guess I should have been. On the enclosure image you can see a dubia that I left in there a couple days ago, completely untouched. If its something I did, I want to know so that I can do a better job next time.

 

[Liquifin]

The reason it died was because lack of ventilation. These species requires a lot cross ventilation, Sorry for your loss.

 

[Chris Chrone]

The reason it died was because lack of ventilation. These species requires a lot cross ventilation, Sorry for your loss.

Thanks for the sentiment. But wouldn't that have been apparent from the first few weeks of this enclosure? And not several months down the line?

 

[Minty]

Not enough ventilation, would be my guess too.

If you're going to get another, have a read through these threads. C versicolor is a different genus, but the information about Avicularia still applies here.

http://arachnoboards.com/threads/avicularia-husbandry.282549/#post-2461396

http://arachnoboards.com/threads/avicularia-care.291340/

 

[Minty]

Thanks for the sentiment. But wouldn't that have been apparent from the first few weeks of this enclosure? And not several months down the line?

Not necessarily. For all we know, your tarantula could have been suffering for a while.

Get rid of the glass enclosure and get something more suitable, that you can make a lot of ventilation holes in the side, as well as the top. A glass enclosure with water poured into it will quickly lead to a stuffy enclosure that kills these species.

Probably obvious, but make sure the ventilation holes are small enough so the tarantula can't squeeze through it.

 

[Tenebrarius]

ventilation, how much water did you use? misting? wetting? etc.

 

[Chris Chrone]

Do you guys have any examples of what you would consider good enclosures for Avic or Caribena slings?

ventilation, how much water did you use? misting? wetting? etc.

I wet about half the enclosure soil, and made sure to get a bit on the web so that it could drink.

 

[Minty]

Do you guys have any examples of what you would consider good enclosures for Avic or Caribena slings?

http://www.thespidershop.co.uk/boxes-tubs-pots-c-36_61.html

Click that link and look at the 16 and 32oz deli cups.

You won't be able to order from that site, but I know they are available in the USA.

I use the tall 32oz deli cup, for my C versicolor sling. It's doing fine, ate yesterday and I've had it since May with no issues.

 

[Chris Chrone]

Would you recommend getting another Versicolor, or something hardier, like a B. Hamorii?

Its just really disheartening. Makes me feel pretty terrible. The worst thing being is that this is a living creature, and Its my fault for it dying, despite my best intentions.

 

[draconisj4]

Do you guys have any examples of what you would consider good enclosures for Avic or Caribena slings?

This is what I'm using for my for My I. hirsutum and my C. versicolor, note that there is a ton of ventilation. Dry substrate and water dishes. I do occasionally drip a little water on the webbing in case they don't go down to the dishes.

 

[Minty]

Would you recommend getting another Versicolor, or something hardier, like a B. Hamorii?

I wouldn't recommend a B hamorii as a sling, as Brachypelma species are slow growers, which means it'll be a long time before you'll start to feel like you have a tarantula. Other people will have a different opinion on this, but I'd never recommend starting with a sling. I'd go for a juvenile or sub-adult, but that's just my opinion. So if you end up going for a Brachypelma species, try to get it as a juvenile, rather than a sling.

Caribena versicolor as a beginner can be done, but follow the advice in the threads I linked. The key is ventilation, lots and lots of it.

 

[Thekla]

The key is ventilation, lots and lots of it.

And cross ventilation, at that! Don't just poke a few holes in the lid and think that's enough. The air needs to be allowed to flow through the enclosure. So, you need vent holes on at least two sides of the enclosure, better on more sides like in @draconisj4's enclosures.

I'm pretty sure as well it died because of too much humidity and stuffy conditions. Read the links @Minty provided.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Mirandarachnid]

Would you recommend getting another Versicolor, or something hardier, like a B. Hamorii?

I wouldn't recommend a B hamorii as a sling, as Brachypelma species are slow growers, which means it'll be a long time before you'll start to feel like you have a tarantula. Other people will have a different opinion on this, but I'd never recommend starting with a sling. I'd go for a juvenile or sub-adult, but that's just my opinion. So if you end up going for a Brachypelma species, try to get it as a juvenile, rather than a sling.

If you're a little put off of C. versicolor for the moment because of this experience, you could go for an LP for a hardy fast growing terrestrial, or GBB if you want colors and webbing. GBB are pretty hardy as long as you keep their enclosure dry. If you want to go for a Brachypelma sp., B. vagans has a pretty decent growth rate and is a gorgeous spider.

Sorry for your loss, everyone makes mistakes. Try not to beat yourself up too much.

 

[boina]

I watered the enclosure whenever the soil got a bit dry.

That plus the obvious lack of ventilation mean the sling really didn't have a chance. I don't blame you - the misinformation that Caribenas need 'humidity' or moisture is so wide spread on this web of misinformation that it's pretty hard to find out the truth, i.e. this is how you kill them.

You now know how to do it right, so there is nothing preventing you from getting another Caribena and raise it successfully.

 

[Chris Chrone]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Ill take all of this to heart. I'm going to be on the look out for another Versicolor. Preferably one thats a bit older. A sling for my first T probably wasn't my best decision. Again thanks to everyone, This forum really has a great community!

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Lack of cross ventilation and over-moistening the sub are the most likely culprits. They should be kept predominantly dry with a water dish.

I've used these Lock & Lock tubs for most of my arboreal slings, just drill a row of holes all around near the top and above substrate level, a few at mid-height and about half a dozen holes in the lid and you're good. You can spill the entire water dish (as evidenced by the moist sub in the C. versi enclosure) and not have a problem.

 

[Ungoliant]

Do you guys have any examples of what you would consider good enclosures for Avic or Caribena slings?

My Avic slings have been living in these enclosures since June and are doing well. (I added some extra ventilation after I took this photo; it's always best to err on the side of more ventilation with Avics.)


See how there is very little ground cover, since they don't spend much time on the ground, but lots of fake plants in the top half to support webbing as well as a cork slab to use as a hunting perch. (There is a water dish on the ground, but they don't go down there, so I just drip water onto their webbing.)

 

[Whitelightning777]

They are a dry spider that needs an elevated waterdish above ground. Jamie's and fear not both make excellent juvenile arboreal enclosures to showcase this species.

The old caresheets demanding humidity are wrong. Humid air is denser then dry air & these guys live in trees.

I had problems with conflicting information from bad caresheets. I actually had to resort to using a small fan to ventilate the enclosure properly.

Don't use a mantis cage. Just don't...

Never give up!!

 

[Chris Chrone]

This is an enclosure that I had prepared for when he got bigger. Would it have had enough ventilation for a versicolor?

 

[Mirandarachnid]

This is an enclosure that I had prepared for when he got bigger. Would it have had enough ventilation for a versicolor?
View attachment 294402 View attachment 294403

I won't speak to the decor or amount of ventilation because I haven't personally kept this species, but that gap at the bottom looks way too big for a spider small enough for that enclosure. If it is big enough for the carapace to fit through, the T can get out.