When can I rehome newly molted slings?

[IguanaMama]

I got some mail order slings last week and didn't have a chance to rehome them, I was going to do that this morning (murphy strikes again). I didn't think it was a big deal, they seemed fine in the viles they came in, but surprise! Two of them molted this morning. Now it is a little cramped in there for their size. They started out (pre-molt) at the nearly but not quite 1" size and they are in vials that are 1" in diameter. One is a B. klaasi and the other is an L. parahybana. What should I do? They both molted ok, and look fine, just cramped. Now I know not to feed them, but I'm wondering if at this size, if I should just wait until they darken up and then just gently slide them into a bigger vile so they could stretch out properly, or just leave them alone. HELP HELP!!!

 

[Windchaser]

I would leave them alone. Sometimes slings are not very happy getting moved and it is a bit of a challenge to get them out of the vials. It would be best to give them a few days to harden up before moving them. They will be fine in there, so don't worry.

 

[stooka]

personally id take em out rite away if theyre cramped as u want them to "harden" properly and not all deformed because they were too cramped.U might get other answers but this is definetly wot id do.Just be even more cautious as theyre still soft and prone to being injured.gd luck

 

[solaceofwinter]

leave them be till they recover from the molt, just need to rest a bit. then re-house. congrats on the new spiders!

 

[Lorgakor]

I never do any moving or rehousing until the spider, be it a sling or adult, has had at least one meal post molt. I'm sure they will be fine for a few days in the vials until after they've had a chance to recover a bit.

 

[stooka]

i would normally too,but if the vial is too small for spider to spread out then i wouldnt hesitate to move it very very carefully.I had same thing happen a yr or so ago and had to move it so gently put the vial into a tub full of peat so she could walk out on her own.

 

[Windchaser]

i would normally too,but if the vial is too small for spider to spread out then i wouldnt hesitate to move it very very carefully.I had same thing happen a yr or so ago and had to move it so gently put the vial into a tub full of peat so she could walk out on her own.

If you do decide to rehouse it, this is the best suggestion. Simply place the open vial in another container and let the spiderling come out on its own. Trying to force it out could result in an injury.

 

[IguanaMama]

They are not too crowded, so I'm just going to wait. The L. para had dug a burrow and holds itself vertically and the klaasi seems fine too. It was described as 1" but I think it was smaller pre-molt, so I'm just going to let them be. They didn't seem so close to molt to me, both chowed down on the 23rd, when I got them, and again on the 24th. I tried feeding on the 25th, and they refused so I removed the cricket and figured I'd get a molt in a few days, but I didn't expect it today.:? Live and learn, I'm gathering all my supplies and starting to rehome all the ones that need it now, before it happens again. I have so many slings.

 

[Gesticulator]

I agree with Windchaser, if you are unsure, then set up their new home and place the samller vials with the slings inside into their respective enclosures. When they are ready to eat, you can give them a little "prod" out of the vials if needed.