To remove, or not to remove?

[bchbum11]

Hello all, I recently 'adopted' (bought sounds so impersonal) 3 avicularia versicolor slings. They've been eating well to this point, but 2 appear to be in premoult based on the fact that neither ate the meal I dropped in their vials a couple nights ago. I know that the standard rule is to remove any prey item that isn't consumed within 24 hours, but in order to remove the uneaten crickets from the vials I would have to destroy the webbing that they have built around the top of the enclosures. What would be less stressful/dangerous for moulting arboreal Ts? To remove the crickets, and destroy their webbing, or to leave the crickets in the enclosures? Also, any pointers that anyone could give in raising these beauties to adulthood (misting regimines, etc...) would be appreciated. There is a ton of conflicting info on the web as to how to bring them up... Thanks in advance

 

[Crysta]

If they havn't begun molting their exoskeleton I would remove the crickets. Crickets deciding to eat your spider is way more stressfull.. They can always build a new web, but they can not revive themselves with a talisman..


Oh I keep my A. versicolor in a tall container, with a bunch of airholes, and slightly damp earth(humidity seems to run away in the container fast in this new one, probably cause its so big), along with a waterdish. However there are other proven ways to keep them... but this is just the way I keep it. Some people don't provide a water dish and mist more frequently instead. However it also depends on the size of the sling, mines 1" and a half... or 2? not good at measuring.
Heres her before enclosure (right) and the new one she is going in(left)...

I like how the A. vilches in the back is thinking of dinner.

 

[skar]

Hello all, I recently 'adopted' (bought sounds so impersonal) 3 avicularia versicolor slings. They've been eating well to this point, but 2 appear to be in premoult based on the fact that neither ate the meal I dropped in their vials a couple nights ago. I know that the standard rule is to remove any prey item that isn't consumed within 24 hours, but in order to remove the uneaten crickets from the vials I would have to destroy the webbing that they have built around the top of the enclosures. What would be less stressful/dangerous for moulting arboreal Ts? To remove the crickets, and destroy their webbing, or to leave the crickets in the enclosures? Also, any pointers that anyone could give in raising these beauties to adulthood (misting regimines, etc...) would be appreciated. There is a ton of conflicting info on the web as to how to bring them up... Thanks in advance

got a pic of what you are keeping them in ? In general I would crack the seal (assuming your using a deli cup or something similar) and coax the crickets out, with whatever fits tweezers etc . . simpler yet slice a very small slice
of orange and place it in the vial so the crickets eat that in place of your T.
as far as misting I suggest every other day or so - keep one side of the enclosure damp and lightly mist on the sides. I'm not sure if breaking the web is harmful or not, I messed my T's web up all the time on accident . this has Worked great for me . this was mine back in the day, first T.

 

[bchbum11]

Thanks for the replies guys. They're both very small, either 2nd or 3rd instar I would guess, and are in the standard arboreal sling vials (slightly smaller in diameter than a 35 mm film case and about 3-4 inches tall). Both have more or less webbed the container shut, so there's no way of coaxing the meals out short of demolishing their tubes. I know they'll rebuild the webbing no problem, but was worried about the stress/energy expenditure involved so close to moult. You're right tho Crysta, doubt they'd be able to revive themselves if munched on , so removal does seem the lesser of 2 evils. Thanks again for the info!