T Climate Control (/me pulls hair out!!!)

[Stan Schultz]

... And feel free to give me your input on whether my Avic is M or F (no one ever seems to reply in the sexing forum). The pictures are near the bottom of page 1.

Several possible reasons for that:

1. We overlook your query because we're wrapped up in answering other questions. Being basically simple minded we're easily distracted.

2. We haven't a clue of how to do it or what to look for.

3. Many of us who know how, don't haunt that particular forum.

4. The photo is so bad we have trouble telling what kind it is, much less what sex it is. :?


Fortunately, there's little wrong with your photo, so we can't hide behind that one.

I don't think I fall into #2. At least I hope so!

I seldom visit the sexing forum. Sorry. I missed you entirely.

I fell victim to #1. Sorry. My bad. :8o


So, I'm 85% sure it's a female. I base my decision on the facts that:

1. The oral field (basically the orange/red area around the mouth) is about the same size as the sternum. A male's would be noticeably smaller.

2. And, the epigynal plate is reasonably wide. A male's would be only 2/3 to 3/4 as wide, we'd see a lot more of the forward booklungs.

3. And, there is no obvious "bull's eye" on the epigynal plate. This is small patch of special bristles and/or silk spinnerets called epiandrous fusillae that are used by the male in the final stages of sperm web construction.

Enjoy your little beauty!

 

[WelshTan]

I am surprised that no one else has said this ......

When it comes to molting, internal hydration is much more important than the levels of humidity. Keeping a full waterdish with your T at all times is much more important than misting during premolt.

 

[Dom]

This has got to be one of the best ideas I've seen yet for keeping a small collection of tarantulas under non-ambient conditions. I'm going to bookmark this thread for future referral of others!

Way to go! :clap:

Fish tank, gecko cage, same difference
I prefer a wooden box because it holds the warmth alot better than glass.

 

[gunslinger]

Nor sure if they have them up in your neck of the woods, but resale shops like Salvation Army and Goodwill are great places to get a humidifier or vaporizor. Our locals stores always have several in stock, usually under $10 each. The one I got works likes a champ, and at the $2 price tag I got it at, I can't complain.

On another note, Pikaia: on some of the small cubes it looks like you have screw cap lids affixed to them at the top. How did you go about doing that? Are they just the tops cut off of used bottles?

 

[robd]

Sorry it took me so long. I use cold mist humidifiers.

 

[Helios909]

Several possible reasons for that:

1. We overlook your query because we're wrapped up in answering other questions. Being basically simple minded we're easily distracted.

2. We haven't a clue of how to do it or what to look for.

3. Many of us who know how, don't haunt that particular forum.

4. The photo is so bad we have trouble telling what kind it is, much less what sex it is. :?


Fortunately, there's little wrong with your photo, so we can't hide behind that one.

I don't think I fall into #2. At least I hope so!

I seldom visit the sexing forum. Sorry. I missed you entirely.

I fell victim to #1. Sorry. My bad. :8o


So, I'm 85% sure it's a female. I base my decision on the facts that:

1. The oral field (basically the orange/red area around the mouth) is about the same size as the sternum. A male's would be noticeably smaller.

2. And, the epigynal plate is reasonably wide. A male's would be only 2/3 to 3/4 as wide, we'd see a lot more of the forward booklungs.

3. And, there is no obvious "bull's eye" on the epigynal plate. This is small patch of special bristles and/or silk spinnerets called epiandrous fusillae that are used by the male in the final stages of sperm web construction.

Enjoy your little beauty!

Well thank you kind Sir or Madame! Your post was both humorous, and informative.

 

[Buckwheat]

Stan, you're spot on about the RH values when you posted "Incidentally, don't put too much faith in published humidity levels for tarantulas, partly because this is really vague witch-doctory in the first place, and partly because almost all tarantulas are easily capable of adapting to almost any reasonable humidity. And, what might be a "reasonable" humidity? That question has been known to cause flame wars that rivaled the American Revolution! Fortunately, because tarantulas as so adaptable, the correct answer is almost so broad that it very nearly makes the original question meaningless."

When i mentioned keeping my L. Parahbana dry recently in another thread i got one of those "eye roll" things. You are correct in that they are very adaptable and, in my experience can, and will adapt to any normal room temps providing basic husbandry practices are followed. Frequently trying to maintain RH values may be problematic depending on other factors involved. It is reputed that some species need higher humidity but I've kept everything from H. Lividum to L. Parahbana and others dry as a popcorn fart without ill effects as long as they can burrow. Having said that i would also add that it is the moisture "inside" the spider rather than the overall RH in any given room. Especially during the molt. I have yet to lose a spider during a molt [thank goodness] so RH values haven't seemed to be an issue unless other factors come into play during the process. In the 36 plus years I've had a spider or two around I've tried everything from fans, extra high humidity and all manner of tricks none of which were necessary for me anyway. I feel it is great if hobbists want to try this and that but the key here is KISS. Spend your money on another spider. *POOF*..(dust and stuff)

 

[Nomadinexile]

Deeper substrate is easier to regulate humidity in. Even my avics get a decent amount of substrate, just for that. Also, In extreme cases, where you just can find a solution, I would use the silicone absorbent stuff mixed into the substrate. But you should be able to be fine in almost any conditions with a layer of coco/peat and a mister. You could get humidifiers as well. Good luck

 

[Stan Schultz]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Marguerite is in the hospital with pneumonia and I've been a bit distracted.

... On another note, Pikaia: on some of the small cubes it looks like you have screw cap lids affixed to them at the top. How did you go about doing that? Are they just the tops cut off of used bottles?

I think you're confusing my posting with that of rvtjonny. His original posting included the photo that I merely copied in my reply. Maybe he'll see this and reply.

 

[Stan Schultz]

Well thank you kind Sir or Madame! Your post was both humorous, and informative.

"Sir," thank you. But simply "Stan" would be good enough.

Enjoy your 8-legged little buddies!

 

[Stan Schultz]

I am surprised that no one else has said this ......

When it comes to molting, internal hydration is much more important than the levels of humidity. Keeping a full waterdish with your T at all times is much more important than misting during premolt.

YES! <Does a little happy-dance.> Somebody really is paying attention! (TKG3, page 207.)

 

[nyx25]

hello stan
i'm a big fan of your book and website!!!!!!!!!
and a fellow canadian, living in downtown toronto.

also been taking heed of your advice.

i keep all of my t's quite dry, to be honest. hardly any misting, and quite high ventilation, too. even my avicularias.
i'm sure to keep water available to them, tho. always a full water dish.

as slings i keep them rather moist/humid, but once they're upgraded to a margarine-container sized home, it's pretty much dry time.

i had had a few problems with mites via two new centipedes with hitchikers!
so keeping my t's dry precludes infestations and also keeps the molds down from decaying boluses.

also, i live in a one-bedroom apartment, and a bunch of soggy pre-chewed-food filled tarantula enclosures doesn't always smell the nicest.. ..

so i have no problems with keeping them on the dry side!

 

[Dom]

Sorry to hear that Marguerite has pneumonia, it can be a very exhausting illness. Hopefully she'll be feeling well soon.
I'm also a fan of you and Marguerites latest edition to the Keepers Guide.:clap:

 

[Stan Schultz]

Sorry to hear that Marguerite has pneumonia, it can be a very exhausting illness. Hopefully she'll be feeling well soon.
I'm also a fan of you and Marguerites latest edition to the Keepers Guide.:clap:

Thanks. I'll pass this on to her. We tried fixing her at home but weren't making any progress, so we put her in the hospital where they can give her oxygen and intravenous antibiotics. She's not critical or even in the ICU, just a common hospital bed. She's getting tired of the hospital routine and is NOT a happy camper!

We've been told that she may be allowed to come home Sunday or Monday.

 

[Dom]

We've been told that she may be allowed to come home Sunday or Monday.

Well that's good news! I don't blame her for not being a happy camper, hospitals aren't much fun but they're certainly a blessing when necessary.