Vinegaroon burrowing and substrate

[AtomicAnt]

I just acquired my first Vinegaroon. they are about 1.5" from pedipalps to the end of the abdomen. From my limited experience probably a sub adult female but I'm not sure. I have them housed in a 5 gal plastic storage tub with about 4-5" of damp mixed coco fiber and sand. They like to burrow at night and hide under cork bark on the surface during the day. Sometimes they dig "U" shaped burrows right up against the side of the tub. Since I can't explain the inherent engineering problems with this to a bug I am concerned about the substrate caving in on them in their tunnels. Also some people say that you can let the upper level of substrate dry out a bit but to keep the lower levels damp. How the heck would you do that without dampening the surface?

 

[Poonjab]

How the heck would you do that without dampening the surface?

Stick half inch pvc pipe down the corners. Pour water into them. It will dampen lower layers. Congratulations, you’re now certified in fluid dynamics

 

[AtomicAnt]

Stick half inch pvc pipe down the corners. Pour water into them. It will dampen lower layers. Congratulations, you’re now certified in fluid dynamics

Except the corners are where it likes to burrow most. Maybe I'm not picturing this correctly, do you mean always have the pipe in the corners? Also wouldn't this just make only the lower level in the corner areas damp?

 

[Poonjab]

Except the corners are where it likes to burrow most. Maybe I'm not picturing this correctly, do you mean always have the pipe in the corners? Also wouldn't this just make only the lower level in the corner areas damp?

Put them in the corners it’s not burrowing then. Or in the middle if that’s the case. And no, water settles. If you put enough water in over time, it’ll disperse and dampen the lower levels.

 

[Smotzer]

For all my Thelyphonida I add a measured amount of water too all the substrate directly down into the substrate so that it goes down to the bottom and spreads out.

also if you are going to ever need help you will need to use the Latin binomial nomenclature to refer to the exact species. “Vinegaroon” covers a great many species.

 

[Salmonsaladsandwich]

The substrate caving in on them isn't a problem. They'll dig themselves out easily.