Worried about L. parahybana

[Maikeru]

I got this sling about a month ago, and it's only eaten once for me. I spray the substrate every few days. I'm worried that it is starving. Normally I feed based on the size of the abdomen, but with a spider this small it's hard to tell.

P.s. It has molted once soon after arrival.

Does it look OK?

 

[Tarantuland]

Looks fine, don’t spray, drip water onto substrate

 

[cold blood]

Never add water on a schedule, do it on an as needed basis...as in, when it dries, add water. Too much moisture is far more detrimental than too dry.

When slings are small, they can fill up fast, in just a meal or three, especially if the meal is a good size one for the sling....once they get their fill, they simply dont need to eat again until after the next molt. your t certainly isnt starving to death.

 

[viper69]

It’s fine- doesn’t take much to get a sling to stop eating

 

[Smotzer]

Your sling looks fine and it’s abdomen looks adequately plump in that photo, it’s not starving!!

as said I’ll say it again, slings fill up on needed food to prepare for a molt sometimes very quickily especially with larger meal sizes.

and yes as @cold blood said, never add moisture on a set schedule, that’s a sure fire way to create a swamp that can easily kill a sling. This could happen quite quickily in the vial you have with minimal ventilation and small dimensions. Moisture cycling is totally normal.

 

[Olan]

What are you feeding it? A chunk of meal worm left in overnight is the best food for a sling of this size.

 

[Maikeru]

Thank you all. It still hasn't eaten anything but I feel more relaxed now knowing it's not starving. I have experienced the stop in eating situation before but that's usually been when the sling is in more obvious premolt.

Thanks

 

[Smotzer]

Thank you all. It still hasn't eaten anything but I feel more relaxed now knowing it's not starving. I have experienced the stop in eating situation before but that's usually been when the sling is in more obvious premolt.

Thanks

Glad you have become more relaxed about it, poeple often stress far more than they ever need to in the beginning when it comes to feeding and "premolt". And you're welcome!